ST. PETERSBURG, Florida – Andretti Autosport’s Ryan Hunter-Reay and a pair of Mazda Road to Indy drivers made a special visit to Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital on Thursday in the annual program orchestrated by Racing For Kids.
Hunter-Reay, the 2012 Verizon IndyCar Series champion and 2014 Indianapolis 500 winner, was joined by Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship powered by Mazda rookies Sabre Cook and Michael d’Orlando to meet young patients at the hospital located a few blocks from the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg track.
It marked the 10th visit by INDYCAR drivers to the hospital in the last 11 years, in the popular Racing For Kids program that organizes similar visits in all race markets. The trio of drivers helped brighten the day for the patients, youngsters as they talked about the demands of racing and this weekend’s competition while autographing hats, hero cards and coloring books.
“I love doing these visits,” Hunter-Reay said. “These kids are amazing.”
When one smiling young patient asked Hunter-Reay where he lived, Hunter Reay replied, “I live in Fort Lauderdale, so this is my home race. I have finished second and third (at St. Pete). Now I have to win one of these,”
Firestone extends deal as title sponsor of St. Petersburg race
Bridgestone Americas, Inc. announced on Thursday a two-year extension for its Firestone brand to continue as title sponsor of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg through 2020. Race dates were announced for the next two years as March 10, 2019, and March 15, 2020.
“We are proud to continue our title sponsorship of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg through 2020,” said Lisa Boggs, director, Bridgestone Americas Motorsports. “The streets of St. Petersburg are an ideal proving ground to showcase the durable, dependable technology built into Firestone tires. The support from the city and its residents, along with the team at Green Savoree Racing Promotions, has made this one of the marquee events on the Verizon IndyCar Series circuit.”
This year marks the fifth time that Firestone is entitlement sponsor of the event. Sunday’s race will be the Verizon IndyCar Series opener for the eighth straight season.
“Our team at Green Savoree Racing Promotions is honored to continue this partnership with Firestone for an additional two years,” said Kim Green, co-owner, chairman and CEO of Green Savoree Racing Promotions, organizer of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. “Firestone is one of the most iconic and successful brands in auto racing history. Its impact on this event’s growth as well as the positive momentum happening in the Verizon IndyCar Series is tremendous.”
Reality show doctor gets close-up look at INDYCAR precision and speed
Reality TV star Dr. Jennifer Arnold, a surgeon at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, had the chance Friday to see what she frequently references.
Arnold often uses a racing pit stop analogy to demonstrate the precision, speed and competency needed to successfully treat pediatric trauma emergencies. She and her healthcare simulation education team visited with the AMR INDYCAR Safety Team before watching the Harding Racing team service driver Gabby Chaves’ No. 88 Harding Group Chevrolet during the afternoon practice.
Arnold, the star of TLC’s “The Little People,” said she was “thoroughly impressed” with the efficiency and teamwork involved.
“I’ve never been this close to race cars, and it’s just amazing the amount of details involved,” she said. “The INDYCAR Safety Team is so skilled at emergency rescue, and they work in such a dangerous environment with the other cars often still moving on the track. It’s remarkable.”
Arnold watched the practice from a perch overlooking Harding Racing’s pit box. “Very cool,” she said. Her track visit was part of a Racing For Kids initiative.
Wheldon commemorates anniversary of boutique opening
Susie Wheldon, the widow of two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon, marked the one-year anniversary of her St. Petersburg clothing boutique, Verve, by inviting the INDYCAR community to two parties in her fashionable shop.
When Weldon opened the store a year ago, she said it marked a new chapter in her life following the 2011 death of her husband.
INDYCAR drivers Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan, Marco Andretti, Conor Daly, Zach Veach and Gabby Chaves mingled with party-goers Thursday night for a champagne party. On Friday morning, INDYCAR drivers’ wives attended a private brunch shopping event.
The store, which features INDYCAR artwork and a mural of a lion with a “DW” locket around its neck to symbolize Dan Wheldon’s nickname, “Lionheart,” carries high-end casual clothing and jewelry for men and women. For more information, visit vervestpete.com.
TAG Heuer renews as official timekeeper of Verizon IndyCar Series, Indy 500
TAG Heuer announced it has renewed its agreement to remain the official timekeeper of the Verizon IndyCar Series and Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil for the next three years.
“Motor racing is at the very core of TAG Heuer’s DNA,” said Kilian Muller, president and CEO of TAG Heuer North America. “It is vital that the brand continues its legacy of supporting the sport and what better way than partnering with the Verizon IndyCar Series, one of the most innovative and beloved open-wheel racing leagues.”
Big Machine Vodka sponsoring Kanaan, Newgarden
Big Machine Platinum Filtered Premium Vodka announced Thursday that it will sponsor Verizon IndyCar Series drivers Tony Kanaan and Josef Newgarden throughout the 2018 season. Both drivers are sporting the Big Machine Vodka logo on their helmets and the logo is also on Kanaan’s firesuit.
“When it comes to INDYCAR, there are no better racers than reigning series champ Josef Newgarden and former champ and Indy 500 winner Tony Kanaan,” said Scott Borchetta, president and CEO of Big Machine Label Group. “And when it comes to vodka, there’s no better than our platinum-filtered spirit. We’re mixing all the best ingredients together for a great 2018 season.”