First of all, if it’s not too late and still sociably acceptable – I’d like to wish everyone a belated Happy New Year! This year has gotten off to a good start, meaning it has been uneventful in our household.
There is still not a whole lot going on in the IndyCar world, and that may be a good thing. NASCAR probably wishes their year was getting off to an uneventful start. Instead, they are still feeling the fallout from their very public trial near the end of the year. Their president, Steve Phelps, did not survive the leak of texts and e-mails where he had some very unkind things to say about stalwart team owner Richard Childress and others. NASCAR is somewhat in turmoil right now, as IndyCar quietly goes about its offseason business.
The most notable happening with IndyCar was on January 7, when Will Power tested with an IndyCar team for the first time in 16 years, that was not Team Penske. He piloted his black and unsponsored No. 26 Honda-powered Dallara around Phoenix International Raceway, and reported that it felt a little like going back to school. But once he settled in, it was still driving an IndyCar and it felt normal.
Power first drove in a Penske car to start the 2009 IndyCar season, subbing for Helio Castroneves in the No. 3 car with the familiar Marlboro chevrons. When Helio showed up at the last minute for the second race of the season at Long Beach, the team wheeled out an identically prepared No. 12 sponsored by Verizon. He has been in that car ever since, until last week.
Although Power is 44, he still wants to drive. Team Penske made what some might call a half-hearted effort to keep Power at the eleventh hour; but it was too late. He has decided to move on to another chapter in his life, instead of the annual chore of constantly driving for next year’s contract. Personally I don’t blame him, and I will be rooting for him all season.
Speaking of moving on to another chapter, here is where I stop talking about racing – for this post anyway. Last week I also moved on from a place I had called home for sixteen years when I finally retired after giving notice more than thirteen months ago. Well, that’s a little bit of a stretch. At my job, we moved our location clear across town more than a year ago. There are also very few people that were around when I started. Unlike Will Power, I did not leave under a cloud of animosity or hard feelings.
Instead, I got to do what very few people my age have gotten to do – go out on my own terms. I have friends through work, as well as personal friends my own age, that did not get to reach that long-anticipated retirement party where everyone stands up and says nice things about you. I did, and I’m very grateful for it.
I did not leave out of anger. Nor did I jump before I was pushed. I just realized over a year ago that it was time, both personally and professionally. The workplace was changing, and you know how I feel about change – Change is Bad!
For my ripe old age of 67, I consider myself fairly tech savvy. But I can feel the time is coming when I won’t be, and I don’t want to become one of those old guys that many of us have laughed at over the years. A couple of months ago, we brought on someone who is 47 years younger than I am. To put things in context, she was born after Dan Wheldon won his first Indianapolis 500. There are not a whole lot of things that she and I can relate to. When I told her my age; she chuckled, moved her arms in a confusing juggling motion and simply said 6-7. I was confused. When it was explained to me that that’s what all the cool kids were saying, but no one truly knew what it meant – I knew I had made the right decision to step away.
My health is still excellent (I hope), and Susan’s health is currently on an upward trend – but that was another determining factor. I turned 67 over three months ago. My father died at the age of 68. He had always been in good health until he wasn’t. After being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, the same disease that struck Susan five and a half years ago – he died six months later, still working right up until the end. I don’t want that. I’m hopeful that I take after my mother who lived to be a very healthy 96, when she died in 2020. But if I follow my father’s path, I’d prefer to go out as a retiree who has gotten to travel and enjoy my later years.
So last Thursday, they threw a party for me at work. A lot of the work was done behind the scenes and I had no idea it would be as big as it was. I also appreciated the fact that they purposely chose to decorate the room in a checkered-flag motif. I got to see friends and co-workers I had not seen in years. And if you are wondering – no, John McLallen did show up. His loss. But many did, including Susan.
I have included just a few of the photos from Thursday’s send-off. Y’all will recognize me, and you’ll recognize Susan – but that’s it. That’s why I’m not including any more of the dozens of photos I have from my big day.
Friday was my first day as a retiree. I spent it dealing with setting up my Medicare to go into effect next month – how exciting! Sunday, I tackled replacing the fixture on the master-bathroom sink, another thrilling task!
Once things get going in the IndyCar world, I suspect you will be hearing from me more than you have the past few months. Will we be going to more races this season? Possibly, but keep in mind – even though I have a lot more time on my hands, my income will be dropping substantially. We booked a ten-day cruise a year ago to celebrate my retirement. It is coming up in mid-March. Unfortunately, we will be at sea during the Inaugural Grand Prix of Arlington. Hopefully, we will be able to get it while on the ship. Just in case, I’ll set the DVR before we leave.
Anyway, that’s what has been going on with us. Winter hasn’t been too bad so far, but that can always change quickly. Friday was around 75°. As I type this on Sunday night, the projected low temperature for overnight is 23°.
As IndyCar testing ramps up over the next six weeks or so, I will start showing up here more frequently. In the meantime, I’m not setting the alarm tomorrow. Life is good!
George Phillips
Oilpressure 