My favorite track keeps changing.
Road America
It seems like forever ago that the rolling hills and lush forests surrounding the fast, wide open Road America captured my heart. I was young, maybe nine or ten. I had met some nice people at the SCCA booth at the Chicago Autoshow. They convinced me that I should come up that summer to experience the June Sprints. I waited from February through June for the Sprints. School was just out and I convinced my mom to take me up there. That first day, I wandered Road America and was hooked. Someday, I said, I’ll drive here just like these guys. Fast forward about 14 or so years and sure enough, I took my second driver’s at Road America. It’s been my favorite track ever since.
Putnam Park
Except now it’s not. The Regional Runoffs, epic two week car build, Pole, Fastest Lap and Win. Putnam swoops and dips and changes camber like something that changes a lot. Those hay bales at the exit of the last corner… Putnam took over from RA as my favorite.
Mid-Ohio
Mid Ohio swooped in and took that favorite spot in 2008. For quite a while, that was my absolute favorite, demanding, quick, chaotic, fast for those who know the tricks and are willing to listen.
Sebring
Then came Sebring in the fall of 2016. I showed up there with little regard for this circuit that I knew from TV and knew from the comments about the bumps. But, wow! Sebring is amazing!! Fast, deceptive, tight, busy. Super-challenging.
Indianapolis
2017 came along and I got to race at Indy! It’s such a special place for me. Growing up in Indiana, I went to the 500 more times that I can remember. I wanted that to be my favorite track, but it was so flat and just… but Indy, right?
Sonoma
Oh my goodness. I was completely wrong. I’ve driven by it a bunch of times on the way to Napa. Never though much of it, except as a dusty, barren track. Holy crap, so wrong. It’s the most fun track I’ve ever driven. It’s fast, fast. It rewards you for being brave, punishes you for being too subtle. You have to dance the car around this place – all the time you’re going up and down the hills.
Sonoma is my favorite track ever. …maybe until VIR…