Tony may well have summarized his feelings best in one of the press releases earlier this week from Stewart-Haas Racing.

“I grew up and lived my whole life in Indiana. I didn’t move to Indiana. I didn’t move away from Indiana. I’m the only NASCAR driver in the Cup Series who’s from Indiana and who still lives in Indiana, and I’m proud of where I was born. I’m proud to be back. I still live in the town I was raised in. I take a lot of pride in that. I think the state of Indiana takes a lot of pride in that, and that’s why it makes it a big weekend.”

It was only after I figured that out that the feeling of understanding came to me. I know Tony said all of this explicitly over ten years ago, but it didn’t register in my mind until I had thought about it and come to the conclusion myself.

So, for the first time — and for the only time — I will come into this weekend as a fan, with a mindset that is finally befitting of the one Tony possesses. Am I frustrated that it took this long to figure it out? Of course! But am I grateful that I did so while I still had time to enjoy it some? Definitely.

Enjoying it is exactly what I plan to do on Sunday. I will be in the stands, at Indianapolis, cheering along with all of the other people and all of the other Indiana natives that will also be in attendance.

Then, I think, is when I — and, perhaps, the sport as a whole — will fully understand.

The opinions expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Race Chaser Online, Speed77 Radio, the Performance Motorsports Network, their sponsors or other contributors.

About the Writer

James Pike is a multi-faceted reporter for Race Chaser Online and an analyst on the Motorsports Madness radio show, airing at 7 p.m. Eastern every Monday on the Performance Motorsports Network.

He is the lead correspondent for Race Chaser Online’s coverage of Australian Supercars and also covers regional touring series events in the Carolinas. He is a graduate of the Motorsports Management program at Belmont Abbey College and currently resides in Belmont, N.C.

Email James at: RaceChaserJames@gmail.com

Follow on Twitter: @JamesVPike

Email Race Chaser Online: news@racechaseronline.com

Follow RCO on Twitter: @RaceChaserNews