Eats For Free; Sometimes
Written by Allan Brewer · April 24, 2007
Allan Brewer Blogs the Week Leading Up to the Kansas 300
by Allan Brewer
allan@fastmachines.com
Have you ever wondered about the exotic places and exciting encounters a real racing writer experiences as he trots around the globe covering glamorous drivers and teams, wining and dining at the most fabulous local establishments, chain-smoking and living hard all the way to the checkered flag?
Well, here’s your chance to see how it is through my eyes as I prepare to embark to another Indy Racing League IndyCar event, this time in Kansas City, for the Kansas Lottery 300 next Sunday evening (April 29th) at 4:30 PM EDT.
Today’s installment: Eats For Free; Sometimes
Mmmmphhhh!!
Caught me with my mouthful! (Smile)
Just grabbing a bite for lunch–jeez what time is it? Yipes! It’s 4:30 already!
Yes, race fans, you don’t eat on a regular schedule when your creative duties lie within the calling of “reporting the racing news”
Far from it.
Well, this week leading up to the race my nutritional status is staying pretty balanced, but come this weekend it will become a lopsided carb-fest and eat-at-the-computer-whenever-you-can affair
Let me be perfectly clear about one thing: the racing promoters and track owners of America do a splendid, remarkable, even unbelievably good job of feeding the likes of myself when the media descend upon their facilities.
Honestly, the food is very, very good at Kentucky Speedway (burgers), Chicagoland (baked chicken), Daytona (brownies), and frankly the best of them all is right back home at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
You know how you can tell someone who really likes their job?
They will talk to you about it.
I can tell you from experience at tracks across the Midwest and South that the people who dish out the grub from Milwaukee to Miami are some of the most dedicated people on this planet.
They are always eager to please, have big smiles on their faces, and are genuinely concerned that you 1.) Get enough, and 2.) Liked it!
I’m telling you what–the food on the racing circuit is mighty good.
At Indy they usually have three courses of meat or fish or pasta, all backed up with hot veggies and salad and warm bread (with butter for this country boy!). Best eatin’ on the circuit IMHO.
Did I tell you I was a grateful and eager test-eater for their new Brickyard Box-Lunch program this year?
Come with me over here and let me fill up my iced tea again.
And that’s not just on the day of the ‘500’ either. They serve up this kind of lavish banquet for Media Day, for Open Tests; they just don’t seem to discriminate in occasion, they just lay out the china (yes, real glass plates) and silver (yup, that too) and ask only that you fill up before you leave.
Okay, so I’ve spilled the beans about what’s great about this vocation. Now you all know the old saying “I’ll work for peanuts” is slightly embellished but still, in the end, true.
Say, would you pass that salt and pepper over here, please?
Yesterday: So YOU Want to be a Racing Journalist?
Tomorrow: What’s In That Bag? Bricks?
Comments
Got something to say?
You must be logged in to post a comment.