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.
Pagenaud works the blend line
2016 NTT IndyCar Series champion Simon Pagenaud has made it to Indianapolis for the month of May and marked his return by posing with one of the famous “Indy” signs – this one located on the city’s well-known Mass Avenue district downtown. For the unfamiliar, several of these photo-worthy signs are set up around the city with the intent for the photo subject to form the “I” in Indy.
One sign typically moves to Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s Pagoda Plaza each May, providing the perfect photo op for race fans during the INDYCAR Grand Prix and Indianapolis 500. Smile and say cheese!
Leader of the pack, Mini-Marathon style
Astutely saving his energy for his work ahead this month, Ed Carpenter Racing driver Spencer Pigot paced the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon on Saturday in an Indy-500 branded Chevrolet Corvette instead of running. Think he held speed enough to keep the runners close behind?
New decade, new dreams
Carlin rookie Patricio O’Ward started his month off with birthday cake and candles, as he left his teens behind and turned 20 on Monday. While it may feel old to Patricio, a victory at the 103rd Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on May 26 would make him the youngest Indy 500 champion in history.
Horsepower meets horsepower
2017 NTT IndyCar Series champion Josef Newgarden took in a different kind of horsepower at the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, with fiancée Ashley Welch. In addition to walking the red carpet and glamming up for NBC’s 360-degree camera, the couple chatted with NBC personalities Rutledge Wood and Dale Earnhardt Jr., for the television broadcast.
Wood and Earnhardt will be part of NBC’s Indy 500 coverage later this month. Newgarden’s pick for the Derby win was Maximum Security, who appeared to race to victory before a controversial protest was upheld and made Country House the winner.
Herta wins emotional Wheldon karting event
Drivers from the NTT IndyCar Series paddock joined to raise $20,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association at the Dan Wheldon Memorial Pro-Am Karting Challenge on Sunday, May 5.
Harding Steinbrenner Racing driver Colton Herta took the victory. Herta’s father, Bryan, was a teammate of Wheldon’s at Andretti Autosport when Dan won the 2005 Indy 500 and was the team owner when Dan won again in 2011 before he was tragically killed in a crash later that year.
With Wheldon’s sons Sebastian and Oliver on hand Sunday, it was kind of a generational full circle for the two families.
No off weekend for Hunter-Reay
It was a busy weekend for 2014 Indianapolis 500 champion Ryan Hunter-Reay, who finished on the podium for Mazda in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race Sunday at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Hunter-Reay returns to NTT IndyCar Series action this week in his No. 28 DHL Honda for Andretti Autosport at the INDYCAR Grand Prix. Indy cars are back at Mid-Ohio from July 26-28 for the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio.