Friday, May 27, 2005 | 9:44 a.m.
Jamie Little, a Green Valley High School graduate, is in her second year a s a reporter for ABC Sports and ESPN. She is writing a weekly diary during Indianapolis 500 weeks exclusively for the Sun
It's hard to believe that in just two days the 89th running of the Indianapolis 500 will take place. In a way I think Race Day is actually a relief for drivers and industry personnel alike. The month leading up to the race is so loaded with dinners, engagements, appearances, practice, qualifying, charity functions, autograph sessions and interviews, that being in the race car is actually a place of solace for some.
There's so much build-up to this race it's unbelievable.
And it takes an army, led by the drivers themselves, to spread the word to the world. The drivers have a huge responsibility in sharing insight and information to the media. People want to watch and listen to what the drivers have to say. And I must note, every driver has been doing his or her part in getting the word out about the Indy 500 this month. When they're not in the car, you can bet they are being interviewed about their personal lives, the race and everything in between.
Knowing the drivers is key to generating fans and popularity. People love personalities. They like drivers who they can relate to. They tend to pick a favorite driver based on their looks, attitude and skills in a race car.
NASCAR does a great job of showing all of those aspects, and these open-wheel drivers are doing their best to get their names and faces out to the mainstream public, as well. And there's no better time to do so than during the Indy 500.
The best way to generate interest and information about anything is through television. And the Indy 500 is as big as it gets when it comes to motor sports television.
We just wrapped up meetings for Sunday's ABC Sports broadcast. Hands down it is the biggest television endeavor I have ever worked on. It's unimaginable how many people it takes to create and produce a 4 1/2-hour broadcast. Our first meeting this week touched on the main story lines for this year's race and how to go about telling them.
We are blessed by human interest stories this year. First and foremost is the story of Danica Patrick. If you haven't heard about her yet, you must be living under a rock!
Patrick has been the lead story this week on everything from USA Today to ABC World News Tonight, Thursday edition. She appeared on David Letterman, something traditionally left for the Indy 500 winner following the race. She's been doing about 15 to 20 interviews per day. She has been pulled in so many different directions, I don't know how she's had time to think, eat or sleep.
Patrick's family has been here at the track taking part in various activities and offering their moral support all month long. They are just flabbergasted by the media circus that has followed her.
They have a big day ahead on Sunday as their little girl will try her odds at not only finishing the 500, but winning it. I'll be speaking to her parents during the pre-race show. It'll be interesting to see their state of mind as the moment finally comes to fruition.
Speaking of story lines, Patrick is, for obvious reasons, our lead story for this year's race. However, Buddy Rice getting injured and being denied a chance to defend his title is a close second. The fact that Kenny Brack (for whom Rice subbed in '04 after he was injured) is subbing for him makes the story even more intriguing.
If you've seen Kenny Brack's accident from 2003 where he almost lost his life, and then witnessed his blistering qualifying speed last weekend as he made his comeback to IndyCars, you couldn't help but be moved emotionally.
Of the 33 cars in the field, Brack is officially the fastest with a qualifying speed of 227.598 miles per hour. Had he qualified on Pole Day, he would have bumped Tony Kanaan to second and put the No. 15 on the pole for the second year in a row. Buddy Rice took the pole and the win in the same car last year.
Remember, Brack won this race in 1999 so his quick time is not a fluke. He's certainly one of the favorites.
All in all it has been a wonderful month. We've appreciated all of the mainstream media attention that has been focused on the Indy 500. Now all we need is great weather (for a change!) and a delay-free, safe race with Danica Patrick in the mix throughout and we'll have one heck of a show! Be sure to watch how the drama unfolds on Sunday, ABC Sports from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thanks for reading this month!
archive
