The ‘Mayor On Air,’ Episode 20

Something that has been trending in INDYCAR for a while now, but we have sadly overlooked in this column, is Hinchtown Mayor James Hinchcliffe’s “Mayor on Air” podcast. Last weekend’s Pocono Raceway segment was so epic that it can no longer take the proverbial backseat. Full of children and guests, including Josef Newgarden, Conor Daly and Pocono Raceway President Brandon Igdalsky, the podcast, which is available here, made for several memorable tweets.

The end was especially sweet, when the “Mayor on Air” producer, known as “Buzzkill Brian,” got a birthday greeting from Mayor James:


Coed.com’s reporters were there and posted this account here. 


Racers’ tributes

“Mayor On Air” guests, and just about everyone else in the paddock for the ABC Supply 500 at Pocono Raceway last weekend, were sporting Justin Wilson’s colorful socks in honor of the driver who was fatally injured last year in Pocono. Along pit lane, Union Jack flags flew at half-mast in honor of the beloved British driver. Meanwhile, “BC” decals were added to Indy cars and helmets in memory of driver Bryan Clauson, who died Aug. 7 from injuries suffered in a midget crash in Belleville, Kan.

All of it showed up in colorful social media postings like these:




It’s raining again

When it was time for the green flag in Pocono, though, it was a downpour and the racing couldn’t happen until Monday. Conor Daly’s attempt to stay dry gave the Internet a giggle:



Helio in the air

Conversely, a three-car accident on pit lane in Monday’s race gave the Internet a scare, not only for the well-being of Helio Castroneves, but apparently also for his perfect hair:




Twice (is not) as nice

By the end of Monday’s race, the Internet was also abuzz about Ryan Hunter-Reay, whose car experienced electrical issues and turned off while he was leading after flying through the field to get there. Hunter-Reay then grabbed third place in the ABC Supply 500 after getting a fix and hauling his way through the field a second time.

The effort produced tweets from USA Today’s Brant James and Mario Andretti, too.




Do you believe in magic?

Ryan’s wife, Beccy, couldn’t believe the bad luck and considered help from the great beyond.