INDYCAR’s “Fast Six” is a report derived from all things found online about Verizon IndyCar Series racing, its drivers and people. We seek and find pics and quips as INDYCAR drivers live their extraordinary lives and put the evidence into tweets, Instagrams and more. Check back regularly when we post the latest.
The 2016 Verizon IndyCar Season went out with a Championship Celebration for 1,400 in downtown Indianapolis on Tuesday. The event and its Firestone red carpet, filled with motorsports’ biggest stars, made for a string of festive tweets and Instagrams.
Champion Simon Pagenaud and his girlfriend, Hailey McDermott, were the highlight. Right after this posed shot, Pagenaud dipped and kissed McDermott for the cameras.
Find the dip/kiss, along with more red carpet snaps from the Indianapolis Star here, from Nuvo here and from Indianapolis Monthly here.
Pagenaud sang the Menards jingle during the Championship Celebration. Maybe it was his way of angling for more support from his sponsor.
John Menard, the president and CEO of Menards, was ranked No. 46 by Forbes on its list of richest Americans. Menards, whose distinctive yellow livery returned to Indy car racing with Team Penske this year, will sponsor Pagenaud’s car for 10 races in 2017.
In addition to Menard, another Wisconsin native who supports Indy car racing made the list. Diane Hendricks – whose roofing company ABC Supply Co. backs AJ Foyt Racing’s two-car effort – is ranked at 150 on the list, which is determined by the individual’s net worth.
To view the list, click here.
James Hinchcliffe, who continues his quest for the “Dancing with the Stars” mirror ball trophy, couldn’t make it to Indianapolis for the party. But he and dance partner Sharna Burgess did send everyone a nice message that INDYCAR tweeted:
Then they survived double elimination on the show, with the support of the INDYCAR paddock. Whew.
When they were in danger of elimination, Tony Kanaan wasn’t having any of it.
Meanwhile, INDYCAR driver Pippa Mann is being honored by the Susan G. Komen organization for her work in the battle to end breast cancer and ESPNW noticed. Along with Jason Aldean, John Cena and former first lady Laura Bush, Mann was recently named one of Susan G. Komen’s “More than Pink” heroes. There are 35 heroes, chosen for going the extra mile to help fight breast cancer and representing the 35 years of Komen.
Check out ESPNW’s coverage and Pippa’s tweet about it: