I was able to take part in something awesome this past weekend. I got to be a pit reporter for IndyCar public relations. It was a trip. I’m not that big into open wheel but it was fun. Part of my duties for the weekend included relaying pit information to the public relations guy in the media center. It was my job to jump to each pit (I was assigned 8) and jot down what types of pit stops they had. I’d never done this before so I was a bit nervous.
I was even more nervous when they handed me my pit assignments. Wheldon, Andretti, Castroneves, Briscoe, Kanann, Power and Patrick there was one more but they dropped out of the race early. I was busy. To learn the ropes I covertly latched on behind ESPN pit reporter Jack Arute and Indy Racing Network reporter Bob Jenkins. If they were on the move, I was too. It was really hard to see so you had to rely on reactions as to know what was going on.
Then Danica Patrick came into the pits, she was done. The PR guy tells me to be patient we need a quote. “Holy Shit” might have been the first thing I thought. I wasn’t nervous about sticking the recorder in her face, I was worried about how I was going to get there. I didn’t know if I had access to the pit wall, but I didn’t care I had a job to do. I hopped over the row of tires and stood next to her public relations rep. Then the flood gates opened. Here came ESPN, IRN and every other writer and camera crew within a cats toss.
We waited patiently and then it was game on when she opened her mouth. There was absolutely no room to walk and I felt as I was going to be trampled, but I did what everybody else did. And I felt really bad afterward.
Media wonders why drivers don’t like to talk to them. I got a first hand account of why not. Stupid questions, no personal space and it is every man (or woman) for themselves. Talk about needing a shower when I got out of that pit. There were so many people I felt violated.
Sidenote:I did find it kind of cool that Nate Ryan of USA Today was like right in my face. I love reading that guys stuff. That’s beside the point.
I loved my experience and the top 6 drivers finishing the day were all covered in the pits by these two feet. It was cool and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
New perspective and a new experience...awesome.
-MO-
sarah
1 comment:
OK, that has got to be the coolest thing I've read in quite a while! You were right out there w/ the big leaguers. And I love how you were right there w/ the ESPN and IRN guys. I can just see it now..... I'm sure you were a perfect fit, like you'd been doing it for years.
It sounds like you were one of the first to get to Patrick. Good job! The way you just hop the tires and jump to the front is cool.
I was all grins and wide-eyed while reading this post. Hooked I tell you! Hooked!
Keep up the good work!
B
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