Crowded at the Top

If one follows the NTT INDYCAR SERIES on a season by season basis, it is amazing to even the most informed and jaded fan how the drivers in the field step it up to a higher level year after year. Here in 2023, the number of drivers fielded has increased, so how can it be anything but crowded at the top?

This first episode took on the monumental task to entice and introduce a broad audience to the intense micro-aggression world of high-level technologically advanced formula open-wheel automobile racing.

So many elements and facets that could have been included did not make the cut, but as an introduction to the human elements combined with the levels of commitment required to be here in INDYCAR, not much was left off of the table given the restrictions of time and pace required to fill a first episode running 42.23.

The beauty of this docuseries effort is that it doesn't get bogged down in detail while capturing the personalities and enterprise found in the most dynamic professional racing series on Earth. In the walk up to the INDY 500, known by its tagline as "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" - 100 Days To INDY and its first episode sets the table for the rich living and racing yet to come before we get to the biggest story of all - the 107th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge here in 2023. Looking forward to what is next with anticipation.

CW and Vice have set the bar high for IndyCar's version of Drive to Survive, chronicling the opening races of the 2023 IndyCar Series season leading up to the greatest race of them all, the Indianapolis 500.

This episode will be best remembered as the one where Josef Newgarden got his shirt off. Can't blame him for that, if I had a rig like his, I would as well! I bet he copped a lot of grief from his competitors for those scenes.

The dramatic St Petersburg, Florida race to open the season provided plenty of content for producers. A great mix of TV and radio commentary and behind-the-scenes as well. Loved seeing Grosjean and McLaughlin chat that was referenced at the time. A very cool bit of fly-on-the-wall vision. Just what I wanted.

I had high hopes for this series coming in, and so far so good! Hopefully "100 Days to Indy" brings more attention to what is probably - almost unquestionably, actually - the best racing product in the world at the moment.