Fast Six: What's trending in INDYCAR
MAY 15, 2019
INDYCAR's #FastSix is a report that borrows from all things found online about NTT IndyCar Series racing, its drivers and people. We find pics, quips and the occasional GIF as INDYCAR drivers live their extraordinary lives and put the evidence on Twitter, Instagram and more. Check back regularly for the latest.
You scratch my back …
We know the Team Penske drivers are close, but Josef Newgarden and Will Power took it to the next level before the first day of Indy 500 practice on Tuesday. They welcomed Helio Castroneves back into the NTT IndyCar Series family by borrowing his percussive therapy massage gun.
Power enjoyed the therapy as much as Newgarden enjoyed delivering it. Castroneves didn’t sound too impressed.
Cmon man @12willpower @josefnewgarden
— Helio Castroneves (@h3lio) May 14, 2019
Brincadeira esses caras!! https://t.co/HeRizqRVtp
Greatest spectacle in video racing
To celebrate the 103rd Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, Forza Motorsport has created a competition to see who can post the fastest lap on the video game around Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Bounty Hunter challenge has been taken on by NTT IndyCar Series drivers Josef Newgarden, James Hinchcliffe and Conor Daly.
Currently, Newgarden is the highest-sitting driver at 11th in the world, while Daly turned almost a full Indy 500 to get his best lap time.
I’m speechless...at this point why not just another eight laps and be able to say you did a 500?!
— James Hinchcliffe (@Hinchtown) May 14, 2019
— Alexander Rossi (@AlexanderRossi) May 14, 2019
Getting opening day at @IMS started right... Strong effort by @ConorDaly22 last night on the @ForzaMotorsport Bounty Hunter Challenge (192 laps!) but I set a new top time in just 11 laps. 😁 pic.twitter.com/VFMayONbAq
— Josef Newgarden (@josefnewgarden) May 14, 2019
Mario is not slowing down
What’s become an annual tradition in Indianapolis in May took on a regal flair this week when 1969 Indy 500 winner Mario Andretti helped install the sign renaming a portion of a downtown street “Mario Andretti Drive.”
Portions of downtown streets have been renamed for all 36 entered drivers in this year’s race, in addition to the ’69 winner. No word on whether Mario got a kiss on the cheek when he was done, a la Andy Granatelli.
If it has an engine @MarioAndretti wants to drive it...
— Indianapolis Motor Speedway (@IMS) May 13, 2019
Time for Mario to hang his #Indy500 Street Sign downtown Indy!#ThisIsMay | #Mario50 pic.twitter.com/H3xKOLby6u
Seeing double with Pigot and Ivan
Spencer Pigot’s Ed Carpenter Racing car has a good sponsor in Autogeek for the Indianapolis 500. Is it coincidence that Autogeek’s mascot Ivan looks eerily similar to Pigot? You be the judge.
For the #Indy500, we’ll have @Autogeekcom’s Ivan riding along with @SpencerPigot! (In case you can’t tell the difference - Ivan is on the car, Spencer is in the car. It’s a pretty striking resemblance...)#ThisIsMay pic.twitter.com/EycGosM2W4
— Ed Carpenter Racing (@ECRIndy) May 13, 2019
Davison pays homage to grandfather with racing helmet
James Davison returns to try and reach his fifth Indianapolis 500, this time with Dale Coyne Racing with Byrd and Belardi. The Australian is making a special tribute with a newly designed helmet that honors his grandfather, Tony Gaze, who was a World War II pilot and former racer himself.
My Indy 500 helmet on this year’s Memorial Day weekend. Paying tribute to my grandfather Tony Gaze, DFC & Two Bars, OAM.
— James Davison (@JD33Davison) May 13, 2019
WWII RAF Squadron leader, founder of @GoodwoodMC and Australia’s first Formula 1 Driver. 🎖🏁🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/UXX91r78M8
Taking fandom to extreme for Pagenaud
NTT IndyCar Series fans are some of the best in the world. One Simon Pagenaud fanatic took his fervor to the next level.
After having Pagenaud autograph his arm following the Team Penske driver’s win Saturday in the INDYCAR Grand Prix, the man had the signature tattooed on his arm. That is dedication, Matt!
#Indy500 fans are THE BEST. I met Matt Saturday night after #IndyCarGP at dinner when he asked me to sign his arm... and he got it tattooed on! 😂 You better bet he got a @Team_Penske garage tour after this! // #ThisIsMay #IndyCar #LoveIndy pic.twitter.com/8T9nwDyQk3
— Simon Pagenaud (@simonpagenaud) May 14, 2019