Ron McQueeney
IndyCar Series driver Ed Carpenter and Firestone Indy Lights driver Logan Gomez took advantage of the lack of on-track activity on Community Day to spend time giving back to the Greater Indianapolis community.
Carpenter and Gomez helped with the construction of Habitat for Humanity’s latest project in Central Indiana by installing Johns Manville insulation into two homes being built by employees of Eli Lilly. The materials for the homes were provided by Menards, which sponsors Carpenter and Gomez.
LOGAN GOMEZ: “Installing insulation and installing Tyvek wrapping isn’t what I normally do, but it was great. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis is such a great organization. It’s great to see all these people out here working side-by-side. It’s like their racing, which goes along with what we’re doing at the Speedway. Their efforts mean a lot to the people who will live in these houses.”
ED CARPENTER: “I’ve never been involved in Habitat for Humanity, but my wife’s (Heather) grandfather is involved with it in Florida. He goes once a week, so I hear a lot about it from him. To have the opportunity to come out here with Menards and Johns Manville and see what it is all about, I think it’s something that I want to do with my free time in the future. I like working on my own houses, but to help another family get back on their feet is a special thing.”
Helio Castroneves, the reigning “Dancing with the Stars” champion, predicted a week before the new season of the hit ABC show started March 24 that Olympic figure skating gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi would be a favorite to win the mirror ball trophy.
Not necessarily a bold move, but a good eye anyway.
Yamaguchi and professional dance partner Mark Ballas were crowned Season 6 champions on May 20. Yamaguchi will get a close-up view of Castroneves’ pursuit of his third victory in the 92nd Indianapolis 500 on May 25. Yamaguchi will wave the green flag to send the 33 drivers on their way. Castroneves’ pro partner from the Season 5 championship, Julianne Hough, will sing the national anthem.
Castroneves, who served as a guest reporter for “Entertainment Tonight” during the competition, said it was “strange” to be sitting in the audience during the results show.
