This was the moment I had been waiting for, for weeks. Dave Furst was kind enough to arrange for me to ride in an Indycar 2-seater. Many people told me this would give me a true perspective of just how fast those cars are going on the track. I had no idea what I was in for.

When I got to the track, I was like a kid in a candy store. The cars, the equipment, and then those racing suits. For a moment I thought I was an actual driver. After I put on the suit, other participants and I walked toward the track to wait our turn.

When I sat in my car, driven by Arie Luyendyk, Junior, I barely had room to turn my head. Talk about a tight squeeze. Then Aurie and I went around the track at what I thought was a pretty pedestrian speed. He was zig-zagging the car and I thought, “Geez. Is this it? This isn’t fast at all.” Then, for some unkownn reason, I yelled “Come on, I know you can go faster than this!” Little did I know he was just warming up the car and the tires. And then, a few seconds later, BOOM!!!! We reached speeds no human should go without taking off.

As we approached the wall I thought to myself “It might be a good idea for him to slow down now!” Are you kidding. That was the last thing on his mind. He hit that turn and kept on going. It was FANTASTIC. I was screaming like I had just gone down the first hill on a giant roller coaster. I was told we went about 180 miles per hour.

I now have a newfound respect for the drivers and their crews. Imagine, they often go about 50 miles per hour faster than I did today while jockeying for position with 32 other drivers just inches apart.

So it’s official. I am now hooked on the Indy 500!!!! Heck, I’ve even given myself a nickname. “Open Wheel Wallace” recommends this experience for anyone who isn’t afraid of speeds and likes to live on the edge! I assure you it will be an experience you will never forget.