INDYCAR Fast Six: What's Trending in @INDYCAR from March 8-15
MAR 15, 2017
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.
#MarcoIs30
Following the the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Andretti Autosport's Marco Andretti headed to South Florida with some friends to celebrate his 30th birthday. Among the drivers who attended the celebration this week were Alexander Rossi, Conor Daly, James Hinchcliffe and Carlos Munoz, former Indy car competitor P.J. Chesson and 2003 Indianapolis 500 winner Gil de Ferran.
Even though we're not cool enough to get an invite to the house, we still got to experience the party via social media.
And of course, no party would be complete without live animals. Lucky for us there was a monkey…
"The Kid" visits St. Pete, again
Baseball Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. came back to the Grand Prix in St. Petersburg for the second year in a row after being a photographer for ESPN in 2016. Charlie Kimball and Graham Rahal were among the drivers happy to meet Griffey.
It's not every day you get to meet a hall-of-famer. Thanks to Ken Griffey Jr for stopping by @GPSTPETE and wearing the right colors! pic.twitter.com/LoAuxgfWu9
— CGR IndyCar (@CGRindycar) March 12, 2017
.@GrahamRahal met Ken Griffey Jr. at the #FirestoneGP. It's great to have him at our @IndyCar race! #SNSRacing pic.twitter.com/i55gikL2IL
— RLL Racing (@RLLracing) March 12, 2017
As for why Griffey came back this year, he was Mario Andretti's passenger in the Fastest Seat in Sports before the race.
Ken Griffey Jr. enjoyed a day at the IndyCar track with racing legend @MarioAndretti. (via @Cut4) 🏎
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) March 14, 2017
🔗 https://t.co/8zGxs2dr7T pic.twitter.com/J2enO0sLcq
Pagenaud hits LA LA Land
Simon Pagenaud headed out to Los Angeles to do some media events for the next race on the schedule, April's Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. While there, the Verizon IndyCar Series champion recreated a scene from a movie. Sadly, it was neither "Talladega Nights," or "La La Land."
Hey @aplusk and #NataliePortman- @simonpagenaud saw #UrbanLight in #NoStringsAttached and had to make a stop here. #TGPLB #FrenchForADay pic.twitter.com/4HoXQm4RKD
— ToyotaGPLongBeach (@ToyotaGPLB) March 14, 2017
He also lent a hand to a young guy who was experiencing some some car trouble ...
After lunch the champ @simonpagenaud and his new recruit @marcelluswiley Jr. looking over the illegal parking ticket he got. #FrenchForADay pic.twitter.com/OJRcbdBErN
— ToyotaGPLongBeach (@ToyotaGPLB) March 14, 2017
... and convinced a Young Hollywood reporter to try escargot at the French restaurant, Little Next Door.
Don't mind interviews where they let me pick the food & wine! Thanks @LesleyMia and @younghollywood, hope to see you at @ToyotaGPLB! pic.twitter.com/NknBeJWIhe
— Simon Pagenaud (@simonpagenaud) March 15, 2017
James Hinchcliffe, the book?
Writers around the world are inspired by race cars and the people who drive them. Closer to his home, James Hinchcliffe’s brother, Christopher, has written “Chasing Checkers,” a fictional account of the life of driver Teddy “Chex” Clark and, according to Twitter, those who know the Mayor of Hinchtown will see more than a few similarities.
Launch date for #chasingcheckersbook will be announced any day now. In the meantime, a little something to whet your appetite... pic.twitter.com/dAtw706YHh
— Chris Hinchcliffe (@cmhinchcliffe) March 14, 2017
Seems Chris is every bit the jokester James is, even when it comes to his own prose. Hints, which will be clear if you’re familiar with the Canadian fast food chain Tim Hortons, about the book’s plot include:
@Hinchtown A boy wizard trades his wand for a go-kart; discovers the true meaning of Tim Hortons.
— Chris Hinchcliffe (@cmhinchcliffe) March 14, 2017
@Faultlessfinish @Hinchtown His magical abilities include making Timbits disappear and controlling when yellow flags fall.
— Chris Hinchcliffe (@cmhinchcliffe) March 14, 2017
Mickey Mouse Club
INDYCAR went racing for the first time this season last weekend in the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg (Congratulations to St. Petersburg resident Sebastien Bourdais!), and a famous mouse showed up, much to the delight of Ryan Hunter-Reay’s sons. Cuteness ensued.
Joined by his sons & Roadster Mickey, @RyanHunterReay visited the @DisneyJunior Kids Zone @gpstpete #mickeyandtheroadsterracers #FirestoneGP pic.twitter.com/YDuTfUoiMK
— IndyCar Series (@IndyCar) March 12, 2017
See you real soon
We leave you with a moment of Zen, brought to you by Alexander Rossi
Insert inspirational quote about life and the secret to happiness here. @AmericanAir #Indy pic.twitter.com/Fzuyj1ZikW
— Alexander Rossi (@AlexanderRossi) March 14, 2017