Detroit GP! Sunday

Posted by Motorista on June 2, 2014 in Bucket List, Detroit, Motorsports, News, Opinions, Photography | 1 Comment

More Detroit, more racing, more delight! Sunday, the second day of the “Dual in Detroit,” brought a warmer sun and a track devoid of the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship cars (although they were still in the paddock!), but the Pirelli World Challenge and IndyCar races were every bit as fun as they had been the day before.

The best part of the day? Walking through the paddock only to turn and see Helio Castroneves (just a few hours away from his IndyCar win) barreling towards me on his bicycle. I literally had to jump out of the way – only to find myself in the path of Juan Pablo Montoya on a scooter! Best near-accidents I’ve ever had! And consider the fact that Helio then went on to dominate the race. Coincidence? I think not.

Helio, I can make myself available if you think I should travel with Team Penske as a lucky charm. It would be a sacrifice, but I’d do it for you.

My favorite driver, sweet Josef Newgarden, got caught up in yet another crash that was not his fault. Curses. My new friend, Krista (I sat next to her and her dad on Sunday), has a good point – you really need to have a Top Five of drivers to stave off the gloom and doom of your favorite getting shunted. So I hereby declare my Top Five (subject to change at any time without warning): Newgarden (a permanent fixture), Helio, Jack Hawksworth, James Hinchcliffe and Ryan Briscoe. May every race see at least one of them through!

There’s so much to say about all the fun things I did over Detroit GP weekend. Expect a more detailed post soon. In the meantime, here are some of my favorite photos from Sunday.

TUDOR United SportsCar paddock

Patrick Dempsey’s race car

Pirelli World Challenge

Lamborghini

Mercedes SLS AMG (Black Swan Racing)

The 1-2 punch of Cadillac Racing

One of my favorite photos

One of the two K-Pax Racing McLarens

Podium ready – P1 Johnny O’Connell, P2 Andy Pilgrim, P3 Andrew Palmer (who is approximately seven years old)

Obligatory blue and yellow Ferrari photo

Second place finisher Andy Pilgrim pulls into pit lane after the race

Pirelli World Challenge paddock

Tires have it rough

Interior is slightly altered from the road version – note the steering wheel sitting on top of the dash

McLaren packed away

As is the Black Swan Racing Mercedes SLS AMG

Boom.

Now indulge my love affair with the Audi R8 for a moment, will you?

There’s just no bad angle…

IndyCar

I’ll post some paddock photos later, but I’ve already been up 18 1/2 hours, soooo let’s jump right to the race.

How’s that, Dad?

General Motors CEO Mary Barra gave the start-your-engines command. I resisted vaulting down the grandstand to ask her to be my friend. Thought about it, though.

This little toolbox being towed makes me ridiculously happy.