According to the Greeting Card Association, nearly one billion valentines are sent each year worldwide, making Valentine’s Day the second largest card-sending holiday behind Christmas.
So how are some IndyCar Series drivers celebrating the day with their significant other?
“(Fiancé) Andy (O’Gara) and I don’t really celebrate Valentine’s Day, †says Dreyer & Reinbold Racing’s Sarah Fisher, who will tie the knot Sept. 15. “We’re together so much; every day is like Valentine’s Day.
“If anything, we’ll both be working. We keep our heads down and keep digging toward what our plans are in racing, whether it’s in the IndyCar Series or with Andy’s brother Kyle. â€
Scott Sharp celebrates twice on Feb. 14 with wife Kimberly. It’s also his birthday.
“I usually end up trying to get my wife a Valentine’s Day gift while she’s getting me a birthday present, †said the Rahal Letterman Racing driver who will turn 39. “Usually we just go out to dinner. Nothing too crazy. â€
Teammate Jeff Simmons has similar plans.
“Valentine’s Day is really the calm before the storm of the season, †said Simmons, who will drive the No. 17 Team Ethanol car in an IndyCar Series Open Test Feb. 21-22 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. “It is a chance for Stephanie (Soviar) and me to have a nice evening together and for me to spoil her and let her know how special she is. â€
Some Valentine’s Day gifts carry over from year to year. Vision Racing’s Ed Carpenter and then-girlfriend/now spouse Heather have a five-pound Chihuahua in their Indianapolis home.
“Rosco was a Valentine’s Day present for Heather in 2004, †Carpenter said. “I was testing in Phoenix and she was at a mall shopping killing time and found Rosco. On our way to dinner that night, she made me go see him, and we ended up taking him home. â€
Others choose to ignore the day all together.
“What’s Valentine’s Day? †says Darren Manning, a native of Yorkshire, England. “I don’t know. When is it? â€
