500 Miles of Understanding.

I know that in life their is a time or few that the Lord just does not care about time. You are looking to the start of something great. The Lord doesn't care what is in your way at anytime you have trouble in life. Remember the Red Sea? If you remember the Red Sea history action, the Lords people made it through the sea, but the people after the Lords people did get swallowed and passed away. Now over time people can not be happy with what your doing at all and can drum up anything to bring you down. Now if the Lord is with you, nothing can get in your way at all. When you get to the end of your project you can experience just what I am trying to say. The lord will part your Red Sea when you ask him in his name, plus get rid of the drama that is after you. Look at the Indianapolis motor Speedway just to get the first 500 miles off and running. I cannot believe that most of us in the world thought that the success of the 500 mile sweepstakes(which is the name of the first 500 mile race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway). I have heard over my years that no one believed in Carl Fisher vision in that race track in Indianapolis, Indiana. Does anyone out their in the world know that the Indianapolis Motor Speedway from the time it was built has never used tax money at all. This has been all the Indianapolis motor Speedway Corporation money. Can you believe that Tony Halman's family back in 1945 when Tony purchased the speedway, thought what was out of his mind buying that crazy old race track with weeds growing throughout the two and a half mile oval? The place was beat up so bad. Tony Halman was a major business man that just did not care what other thought at all. The race track was full the race day 1946 and all the critics were swallowed up as they did get a press pass. When the Lord is involved you just do not have to worry at all. Now I am very proud of the business people and family's that have kept this race track going on it own for 100 years. I know that their have been a few years of the race track just did not have the race there. Even when you go to work you have a few days off for personal time, right? So has the speedway. Now look though 1911- 2011 is going on this year. I just do not think the men in this picture I have put with this story did not even know how importance of that picture would be before the first 500 mile race at Indianapolis?

Jim Gandolf is ready for this birthday party this year!

Indianapolis 500 Mile Race

I know that life on 16th street in Speedway Indiana is very calm compared to prior years in the area. Can you even think about the meetings 100 years ago to plan the 500 mile sweepstakes. Even the thought of planing the first 500 mile race between the board of directors at that time in life. I wonder if their was even the master plan of feeding the fans? How would you even plan for the food and beverage if you just do not know how many fans would even show up at all. What a very trying time for the serious board of directors. The safety of the fans, was that even a thought? The crazy tar and gravel that was the surface for the races the last year, and the messes that caused. Now a new surface was in place, the bricks. Three million bricks strong around a two and a half mile oval called the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with the phrase of "The Greatest Race Track In The World!" But really such a strong statement of excitement for not even understanding how powerful that would live out to all of us fans lives. Would racing even be the same if it was not for Carl Fishers compassion, and forcing James Allison into a great partnership for the ages. If Carl Fisher did not come up with the idea of one great race per year and make it 500 miles, what would Indianapolis Indiana be known for? What would the 500 mile races throughout the USA ever have been thought of at all? I just do not think so, not even any solid business man would of taken such a risk at all. This year before the Indianapolis 500 activities start in May, think about the man from the western part of the State of Indian that in the mid 1940's saved the greatest sport know to man to this date. Tony Halman saved the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and made sure the world knew the track was ready in 1946 for the 500 mile race. Oh my how the fans cheered as they filtered into the race track that race morning in 1946 and many years after that and to even this day. I say look at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway museum in side the track this year and get a great feeling as the track hit 100 years old, and understand the this race did not show up. The Indianapolis 500 has had all it had, it share of growing pains (like any major sport). I have had my share of growing pains at the race track as well. Tony George from the time this man has been alive has been groomed to lead us into racing. Placing Tony George back on the board is the best move a strong leader that we all have over there at a strong group of people. The wind is moving very strong with this 100 year old birthday coming up. Yes we do need cake and ice cream this year. No not really just a solid 500 mile race when the month of May is over and in the history book this year. If you love racing as much as I do just sit back and raise you cup to the sky to the Lord, and say thank you for all the great races that have been won and lost in the center of Indiana since 1911.

Jim Gandolf

Racing with Victory H20 in 2011

How can racing shock us anymore than what they already have? Look at all the rules when you just show up to race at any level. I believe that all the world needs to know is that the sport is much safer, right ? The day when you just showed up at a race track with a car and a make shift crew ( your buddies and neighbors helping you are all over ) I know that if you do not have the rules in my favorite sport, life can get out of hand at all levels. Look at all people that call their self a race team owner? Wow, I guess the team owner now is called someone that sells young drivers a driver seat and just does not support the sport all. What do they own at this point? Just the car or the driver that brought the money to the team to drive? How do you get the title of team owner if your not capable of funding anything at all? Look I know that we are full of talent in motor sports in all levels. That is why I pick and choose who I want to do business with. I always took the easy way out by only dealing with major Indy Teams with nice little sponsors here and there. I forgot about something in the middle of that experience level of my life. The drivers that know how to drive and face the green flag with no fear at all. The USAC drivers, ASA, CRA, ARCA, SCCA, Indy Lights programs have hit my heart very strong this year. Fans at local track are the heart of America in all levels. The fans that might only get to a few NASCAR , or IndyCar events though the year, but get to there local track almost every weekend with so much passion in their favorite driver. Yes I said driver! I will not say team owner at all. Some of these great drivers own their race team and drive and work all week somewhere at a company that is very supportive in their race car driver employee. These drivers do not care if the hair is perfect before they head down pit row to sign a picture for their fans before the race. How small track owners let the fans come onto the race track and meet and greet the drivers before every race. Some of the race team members are there to support any question a fan just might have about the race team. I would of never experience this great level of fan support by hanging out in a suite at Daytona or Indy. Now in my sport of racing we should devise a Victory H20 trophy for the short tracks of America to excel the support of the local fan that can love the smell of the fuel, concrete, and burnt rubber with a tie in to pop corn and hot dogs ! LOL. The drivers that have the largest fan base and takes the most time with each fan before the race should have the chance to win this award. The fans will vote and some how I will try to make this process easy. 50 States so many tracks? At Victory H20 will show their love for the sport by a cash prize to the drivers in each state then a random drawing to the fan to win on the last race of the year for the winning drivers in each state. I will make it simple one driver and one fan per state! A team effort for both sides in the love of motor sports. I will have other product that we place in the market place build up the level of prizes (I mean cash).
Look I don't care if you race on dirt or concrete your in the deal if you want to.

Jim Gandolf