With its 100 years of motorsport competition, the legendary names that have graced its asphalt, and the two largest motorsport events on the planet, arriving at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway, USA for the first time as a competitor often evokes awe in a racing driver.
Even after racing in Formula One at legendary tracks like Monaco, Monza and San Marino, for Scott Speed the mystique of the Brickyard made his first trip there in the Sprint Cup a moment to remember.
'Indianapolis has got a lot of nostalgia and a lot of history behind it, so as a racing driver it’s one that’s a little bit special for all of us' – Scott Speed
“It’s a big deal,” said Speed who raced at the iconic 2.5-mile oval twice in Formula One for Toro Rosso, with a best finish of 13th in 2007.
“Indianapolis has got a lot of nostalgia and a lot of history behind it, so as a racing driver it’s one that’s a little bit special for all of us really. After you’ve been there a bunch, certainly you kind of know the deal, but the first time you are there is definitely really special.”
Getty Images/Red Bull Photofiles
In the end, Speed’s No 82 Red Bull Toyota seemed to lack a bit on grunt down the straights, making for a long day where the best he could do was cross the line three laps down in 31st.
On the other hand, last year’s race in Indianapolis served as a pivotal one in the No 83 Red Bull Toyota's season as teammate Brian Vickers scored a top-5 finish. That result proved instrumental in creating precious momentum he rode to Red Bull’s maiden appearance in the Chase for the Cup last year.
But with Vickers out of action due to medication he needs to treat blood clots, he will instead watch Sunday's Brickyard 400 on the sidelines as Reed Sorenson drives the No 83 Red Bull Toyota.
Getty Images/Red Bull Photofiles
Having an important first at Indy in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series is something not lost on Sorenson, who became the youngest pole sitter in Brickyard history three years ago. The fifth place finish that year helped erase the bad memories of his first visit to the Brickyard where he ended the day 30th after starting 41st. A pair of top-20 results in his next two visits to the Brickyard has his average finish at a respectable 16th in Indianapolis.
“Indianapolis is one of my favourite places and I really enjoy racing there, and it’s a track where I have had some good luck,” Sorenson said.
"The history of the place is really interesting when you think of how long it has been around and the things that have gone on there. It’s a cool racetrack once you get out there driving and it’s fast, it’s different than anywhere else we go and it’s really something to go there every year.”
Sorenson will be pulling double duty on the weekend, driving the Braun Toyota in the Nationwide Series at the nearby O'Reilly Raceway Park and commuting between the two to qualify and race.
The team announced earlier this week that Sorenson would stick with the Red Bull outfit for at least the next two races in Indy and Pocono. Road racing specialist Boris Said will join the team in two weeks time to drive at the challenging 11-turn, 2.45-mile circuit at Watkins Glen, N.Y.
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Getty Images/Red Bull Photofiles
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