FORT WORTH, Texas – Chaperones of 44 students from Devine Intermediate School were happy to oblige (and likely were somewhat disappointed) to stand behind the cameras when impromptu photo ops with Texas racing legends A.J. Foyt and Johnny Rutherford arose in the IZOD IndyCar Series paddock at Texas Motor Speedway.
The group from Devine Intermediate School in Devine, Texas (about 20 miles southwest of San Antonio) visited the track as reward for a school year of reading excellence. Dressed in matching green shirts with “Racing to Read” printed on the front, the students and chaperones followed fifth-grade teacher Kathy Hennessey around the paddock like the Pied Piper.
“I started doing this in ’99 and in 2003-04 INDYCAR really jumped on board, and we’ve had their support ever since,” Hennessey said. “It seems every year it gets bigger and bigger. I’m just trying to get the passion and the love of reading in the kids and back in the classroom. Anything I can do to get a smile on their face and get a good book open is awesome.”
Hennessey’s program requires her students to read at least 30 minutes a day, including weekends and holidays, and complete a log that they submit weekly. Each participant receives a grade, and to reward their weekly progress she hands out racing memorabilia. At the end of the program, which also includes no behavioral issues in school, she selects the group to accompany her on the three-day trip.
Student/guardian contributions and year-round fund-raising underwrite the cost of the trip.
“I have kids that move on to sixth and seventh grade who want to know if they can continue reading for me so they can come back,” she said. “As long as I can continue it and instill the love for reading I’m welcome to continue it.”
The students received a brief, age-appropriate tutorial of race cars with the passenger-relevant engines fueled by E85 and met drivers Graham Rahal and Josef Newgarden. They'll unfurl the American flag during pre-race activities.
“All the kids know that the cars go around the track fast, but to get an up-close look and talk with the drivers are lifetime memories we’re making,” Hennessey said.
Relay for Strong Kids at Toronto on July 5
The 32nd YMCA of Greater Toronto Relay for Strong Kids 5k fund-raiser will take place on the Honda Indy Toronto circuit for the first time July 5.
“This event has more than one benefit to the participants. They’re team building, getting active and being role models, while raising funds to help kids access recreation at the Y,” said Dr. Gordon Chong, Chair of the Board for the YMCA of Greater Toronto. “And now this partnership with the Honda Indy will provide a unique event experience on the famous racetrack.”
Community and corporate teams of two or four can register online at http://bit.ly/e8HW89. There also will be a youth run and family walk. Each participant will receive one Saturday general admission ticket to the Honda Indy Toronto and will have the opportunity to get into the driver’s seat by participating in a live auction for a pace car ride.
Firestone racing history note
Firestone's winning race history in the Dallas/Fort Worth area dates at least to the 1940s, when Ted Horn (1947 and 1948) and Johnnie Parsons (1949) won 100-mile races on the Arlington Downs Raceway dirt oval.
All three years those drivers went on to capture the AAA National Championship.
Of note
A portion of the apron at pit out has been repaved since last June. ... Former Firestone Indy Lights driver Travis Gregg is spotting for Newgarden. Roger Yasukawa is spotting for Takuma Sato. … Firestone Racing provided the Firehawk spec used at Kentucky Speedway in 2011 for the Texas race weekend. Each entrant received nine sets of Firestone Firehawks for the weekend. … Valspar is the primary sponsor on No. 22 Panther/DRR car driven by Oriol Servia this weekend. ... A.J. Foyt Racing fueler Rodney Klausmeyer, also the team's transport driver, suffered second-degree burns to his right hand when a fuel hose popped out of its connector during fueling in the first practice session. He was treated at the infield car center and released.