Since we’ve had the pleasure of knowing Roger since the early 1990’s, we figured it was high time we sat Roger Bailey down to find out more about him personally, as well as the recently announced Road to Indy Program.

We were fortunate to sit Roger down, literally on the front tire of a race car at the recent PRI Show in Orlando.

There was a great deal of excitement around the launch of the Road to Indy Program. This upcoming Memorial Day weekend will be especially busy with all four series conducting racing events in Indianapolis during the course of the weekend.

The Cooper Tires Presents the USF2000 National Championship powered by Mazda and Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear will be racing at O’Reilly Raceway Park at the Night Before the 500 event while the Firestone Indy Lights (Firestone Freedom 100) and IZOD IndyCar Series (Indianapolis 500) will race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Dan, who resides in St. Petersburg, Florida is often best known for his win in 2005 of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race.  He not only won the Indy 500 in 2005 but also the IndyCar Series Championship.

We wanted to dig a little deeper and find out what makes Dan Wheldon, Dan Wheldon.

We learned of his huge passion for karting as well as a few surprises.  We also learned that Dan Wheldon has an appreciation for historic racing.  Maybe not the way you might think.  It seems the Indy 500 is not the only historically famous race that Dan would like to win.

Believe it or not the Pikes Peak Hillclimb just may have a new competitor.

Listen in as we chat with Dan, we think you will enjoy it.

Jeff also talks of his new venture - the Jeff Andretti Coaching Group and their partnership with the New Jersey Motorsports Park

As well Jeff talk to us of races around the world including the Indy 500 - Le Mans 24 Hour Race - Daytona 24 Hours Races and the knowledge of Canadian Racing Fans.

Listen in as we chat with Jeff Andretti.

With the third day of qualifying for the Indy 500 Saturday and bump
day this coming Sunday - before you know it there will be 33 Racing
Drivers all wanting to drink milk in Victory Lane.

No matter what type of Motorsport is your favorite - there is
nothing like the Indianapolis 500 !

This is our way way of saying “Thanks” for following what we do here:

We thought we would share with you a number of ways to get a little bit closer to all the action at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway - [ That not everyone knows about ]

Be warned ! - Get Ready - Lots of “Insider Information Below”

Pre-Race:

1] Social Media Online:

If you use Twitter - We have produced a Video over at
www.RaceDriveTV.com on the IndyCar Teams and Drivers that you can
follow on Twitter.

Direct Links to all the Twitter Accounts
can be found here: http://racedrive.com/dir/indytwitter.php

If you don’t know what Twitter is: No Problem - We also have an
intro Video on Twitter there as well.

2] The Indy Star - the local Paper in Indianapolis does some great
coverage of the Race:

Not only that - they have a really easy to manage/navigate Online
Chat Application - Called RaceTracker:

Their RaceTracker is live whenever the cars are on track.

We will be there a good portion of today [Friday and part of
Saturday ] - so come on over and join us.

3] Traditional TV Broadcast:
If you have access to the Versus TV Network: - They are again
showing six and half hours of coverage both days this weekend.

Unfortunately those of you in Canada and elsewhere - as far as I
know - you will have to wait until Race Day and ABC will then do their
broadcast.

4] The always entertaining Mike King and the IMS Radio Network
Broadcasts:  They will have pre-race and full race coverage as well.

5 ] Online Coverage - Updates and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Press Conferences Live: at: www.IndyCar.com “Watch Live Button” as
well as at www.Indy500.com

The “Watch Live Buttons” only appear when cars are on track
- then you have your choice of Camera 1 - or Camera 2

Check both to see which works best for you …

6 ] Realtime Timing and Scoring are also available at
www.IndyCar.com and www.Indy500.com

RaceDay:

7 ] Online: More Options:

There is a new feature called “Race Control” over at www.IndyCar.com
- you do need to sign up for it - but does not cost anything.

It includes in-car cameras and a customizable viewer - and side by
side comparisons.

It still is a “bit buggy” - but definitely worth a look at. It only
becomes live during actual races.

I have been fortunate to sit down with the “man in charge” of it -
and it is more than a novelty.

8 ] Go to the Indianapolis 500 Race in person - What a concept !
The ticket prices for the Indy 500 are ridiculously low - even with just a general admission ticket there are acres to explore.

[ Nine Holes of the Brickyard Crossing Golf Course are inside the track don't forget !]

I’ll be there - So give a wave if you go

I should be easy to spot - I will be the guy on the top deck - by
the big A/C Unit - Above the Hulman-George Suite inside of the
track just at the entry to turn #1

I’ll be wearing a headset/microphone and attempting [?] to keep all
my papers from flying away.

Hope this helps - have a great weekend - and we will see you at
track.

Derek Ross

Other References:

Here is a link to the official schedule for this year’s Indianapolis
500:

The first 22 Starting Positions have already been set:

Here is Saturday’s Qualifying Order for the determining the remaining
spots 23 - 33.

All IndyCar Racing “Teams” Websites on RaceDrive.com

All “IndyCar Racing Online” Websites on RaceDrive.com

Don’t forget we are always open to feedback: email us - or call us
at our Feedback line at (206) 888-4301

We had a chance to stop the ever speedy - Townsend Bell for a few moments - to learn more about what makes him tick as a person and as a RaceCar Driver.

In 2008, Jay with numerous past championships including - Indy Pro Series - U.S. Formula Ford 2000 and Formula Renault 2000 - competed in IndyCar competition.

We were glad that Jay was able to spend some time with the SidePods Podcast - prior to the running of the PRI All-Stars Karting Classic that is run in conjunction with the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show in Orlando each December.

Yes - Johan is all about Karting - but his passion runs deep for all kinds of Motorsports.

We had the pleasure of catching up with this young man just prior to competing later that day in the third Annual Performance Racing Industry All-Stars Karting Classic.

This always fun Go Kart special event is run during the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show.

We think you will enjoy - as we did - meeting Michael and hearing from this young racer.

Leo Maia discusses:

- Leo behind the wheel in the Atlantic Championship
- Open Wheel Racing
- Skip Barber Championship
- Indy Pro Series - Indy Lights
- IndyCar
- Champ Car
- Brian Stewart Racing
- Forsythe Racing
- Atlantic Championship
- The Feeder Series - reality
- Alex Smith
- NFL
- Sponsorship
- Testing for Teams
- Graham Rahal
- Simon Pagenaud Two Million Dollar Prize Winner
- Homestead Miami Speedway
- Indy Pro Series versus Formula Atlantics
- Swift DB4
- Swift Engineering
- Downforce
- Aerodynamics
- Ground effects

Update:
- Leo is now racing with Grahovec Racing

Note:
This interview is from the “Sidepods Vault” - as it was originally recorded just prior to the 2007 Long Beach Grand Prix

Some personal thoughts from John Andretti discussing trying “moments” in motorsport.