Nice local touch to this year’s 100th anniversary Indianapolis 500 with St. Petersburg’s favorite British ex-pat, Dan Wheldon, taking the checkered flag. In addition to a big check and endorsements, the winner also gets sports’ most unique trophy: the Corvette pace car. Wheldon now will have two for his sizable Snell Isle-residence garage. He also won Indy in 2005.
But on those rare occasions when he actually drives a trophy ‘Vette, you won’t be hearing Wheldon burning rubber as he tools around St. Petersburg on his free time. Not his style. Not even close.
I once asked him what it’s like to be a professional race-car driver, pushing speed envelopes and living on the edge for a living, and then having to gear down for normal driving.
“I’m relatively relaxed on public roads,” said Wheldon. “Also careful. Especially in St. Pete at night. People try to time the lights. I wait.”