My TeamWWF Experience at IMS 8 HR

Story by A.D. Cook, Vice President of Strategic Development, TeamWWF

Oh, how I love my INDY trips! And this one was especially awesome. Fans gathered in an electrifying atmosphere, and the anticipation for the race was palpable. The weather was great—for the most part—as engines roared past the Turn 2 Suite at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The Wings and Wheels Foundation team gathered to experience the season’s final race—the DESDER INDIANAPOLIS 8 HOUR —at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Friday’s first stop was at the famous Charlie Brown’s Pancake and Steakhouse at 1038 North Main Street, Indianapolis, IN. I’m told that anybody who is anybody in the race scene is a regular there, and after a hearty breakfast I know why.

While I spent much of my time at the TeamWWF Turn Two Suite, I still made plenty of laps of my own to catch up with a few friends and snap off a few great pics.

TeamWWF Ambassador/Driver Aaron Jeansonne stopped by before heading to the track to make his GT3 debut and run his laps in the INDY 8 Hour.
The excitement surrounding his debut was contagious, and it was a privilege to witness him take on this new challenge. [click here for Aaron’s story]

Another racer to stop by the suite was legendary racer Al Unser, Jr., an American former racing driver. He is not just a racing legend, but also an inspiration to countless aspiring drivers. Known primarily for his Championship Car career, Unser won two CART championships and is a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner.

It was great connecting with the team’s new Executive Director, Mimi Ciabarra, who brings extensive experience in racing, relationships, and nonprofit growth. Her vision aligns perfectly with our mission at the Wings and Wheels Foundation.

I’m looking forward to her helping grow the foundation and help promising young drivers advance to the next level of achievement in their racing careers.

Mimi brings a proven track record of building partnerships, creating sustainable revenue, and connecting people and organizations around a shared purpose. This expertise will benefit our initiatives and strengthen our outreach and engagement efforts. Throughout her career, she has driven significant revenue growth, developed high-value corporate relationships, and created partnerships that have opened doors to new opportunities and lasting impact. Her appointment represents a significant step forward for our organization. [read more]

Rodney Schroeder and David Freeman stopped by the suite to share updates on their MyCarCulture.com site and how we can work together to raise awareness for them and TeamWWF. I look forward to sharing more later.

Beyond the team and great people at IMS, Corvette made an impressive showing of C8 pace cars. These cars are not just about speed; they embody innovation and the spirit of American automotive excellence.

My favorite was the 2-tone split paint scheme Blue/White beast with the pace car graphics, black rims, and rear spoiler.

Ultimately, the experience at the INDY 8 Hour was not just about racing— it was about community, passion, and perseverance. I’m already looking forward to my next visit.

Meanwhile, you can watch the race replay here.