sixwordstories | (no subject)

Oh no, are you okay?

You'll probably think it's ridiculous. We're not running the Indy 500 with fans this year. It's going to be an empty race.

Even if I did, it doesn't matter. For something that huge, not having fans in the stands would be jarring.

It's so jarring. First postponing it three months and now this...we look forward to this every year and now it feels like it's not even close to the same thing.

I get to defend my title in front of no one.

And you'd be right, it's not close to the same thing as you've experienced before. I'm not sure which would be worse - canceling the event or racing without any spectators.

It'll still be televised, right? At least you can mentally imagine everyone screaming, cheering and/or yelling at their TVs as you defend your title.

If you have headsets maybe you can ask someone to cheer loudly in your ear.

[She was definitely kidding on that last part.]

It is, but they cancelled everything around it. No parade, no festivities, there isn't even a victory celebration banquet for the winner this year. I'm not even sure if we're doing a pit stop competition. The 500 isn't just a race; it's an event and now it feels incredibly empty.

[Sighs.]

They got rid of our races this weekend as well. So I've got nothing to do but fly home to Indianapolis and wait until we start prep. In any other year I'd go spend time with my friends who live in the city but you can't even do that right now all things considered. It all is so disappointing.

And my husband's been completely out of touch which isn't helping.

Well fuck. Then it's definitely not going to be even remotely what it would be. Which is understandable but makes it hard for you guys who have worked so hard to get where you are.

I'm really sorry to hear that.

Are you required to be quarantined leading up to the event? I know everyone has their own comfort level so maybe your friends would still want to see you?

Also, having a husband who is out of touch doesn't help matters at all.

Maybe? IndyCar has asked us to stay within our teams when we can, but we're all taking good precautions. I'd just have to avoid my instinct to hug everyone.

[Laughs. Shelby is a hugger.]

This whole season is messing with my head. When I'm in the car, that's my job, I can do that. And then I step out of it into this bizarre new world and I don't know what the hell is going on.

I should mention I don't do well with change.

And if they are comfortable having you out, that'd be a plus at least. Better than not seeing anyone other than your team.

[Les wasn't always one who looked on the bright side herself but she tried for other people - those she liked at least!]

Considering the state of the world, I'd say that feeling is pretty fair and to be expected.

You and me both.

You too, huh?

Consistency is key in my world. Consistency is what makes championships. Every time someone changes something I get nervous and I've given up trying to change that.

It's taken me two years to get used to having a different spotter. Enough for my previous one to come back again with a promotion and a new job title.

That makes a ton of sense.

For me, it's situational. When I was younger, I had to constantly be prepared for just about anything to change in a second. So, I was okay with it, or at least, as much as I could be.

These days, now that I'm older and I have a few things that I look forward to or rely on either on a weekly basis or whatever - when those things change or fluctuate without warning, I get upset. Which may not be so much as 'hate change' as it is... something else?

[She laughs. Was it something she was exactly proud of? No, definitely not.]

When Derrick left, I lost it. Even though he was leaving to become a crew chief so it was a great promotion for him, and he was just going to our sportscar team across the shop.

All I saw was someone who'd helped me climb to the top of my sport being taken away from me.

[Chuckles.]

He just transferred back to be the strategist for my teammate so now we're kind of back together again. I almost tackled him when he came back to our side of the building.

I'm always afraid that one mistake will ruin everything I've done.