It’s been 10 years since Indy Car racing has been in Portland and 30 years since I’ve been to a race here. At that time, I was part of a sports marketing group cleverly called BRG Sports Marketing. There were just four of us in the operation, the three founding partners and myself. I was kind of the tag-a-long “weekend warrior,” who worked out a few small deals for the team, but got to experience the not-so-glamorous life of traveling from circuit to circuit. As a result, I’ve been to most of the racetracks around the country, and one time even got to be part of the pit crew, although my main role was to develop and entertain our sponsors. Yesterday, I was back on pit row, reliving some of the memories of that busy time in my life.

A buddy of mine got us Paddock passes for the practice session, qualifying, and the race on Sunday. Our seats are in the inside of the track at the chicane that you see on the layout of the course that headlines this post. We took the MAX to avoid any parking problems usually associated with an event of this size. I was able to hook-up with an old friend from the radio business, who really introduced me to sponsorship aspects of the sport. Her husband was a driver, and now so is her son, so she owns her own sports marketing firm back in Indianapolis. I had not seen her in at least 20-years but we eased back into the friendship. I had arranged to meet her at the track after a mutual friend, who couldn’t come to Portland, put us back in touch with each other over the phone. I also got together with two other pit crew “teammates,” and spoke with the current manager of the facility, who was my radio advertising account a few years ago before my retirement. The other thing I noticed was that while it was a work day for most people, I did not feel that guilt of sneaking away from the office to go network at the speedway. I remember being at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway almost every “work” day in May, and would often go into the office very early to get my “real” work done before heading to the track for my “play” job.

Thirty years ago it was names like Andretti, Foyt, Unser, Coyne, Daly, Fittipaldi, and Rahal. These racing families are still active in the sport, but today it’s sons and grandsons, while the former stars are now owners. It was amazing to see some of the massive pop-up garage and suite structures that have been developed to house equipment and entertain clients. It’s like the old days when the circus came to town, but modernized with hydraulics, sleek transporters, and luxury motor homes. It’s very different from the permanent garage facilities at the larger speedways. I haven’t been to an Indy Car race for probably 16 years, but I have attended the Brickyard 500, Formula One races in both Indy and Austin, plus the Daytona 500 since my last Indy Car event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In each case, it’s an adventure just trying to have a normal conversation, and probably one of many reasons why my hearing is suffering. What did you say? I said…”Let’s Go Racing!” “What? Who’s singing?”