LEXINGTON, Ohio – Having a Verizon IndyCar Series race in the Midwest calls for celebrating the weekend with one of the region’s top outdoor activities. That’s exactly what a handful of drivers did Saturday with fans at Mid-Ohio Sports Course in the Tailgate Toss 200.
Simon Pagenaud, Charlie Kimball, Conor Daly, Kyle Kaiser, Jordan King and Matheus “Matt” Leist participated in a game of beanbag toss, or “cornhole,” with members of the INDYCAR Nation “Pit Crew” that’s open to youths ages 13-17. It’s the second straight year that the friendly and fun competition has been held at the INDYCAR Fan Village during the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio race weekend.
Kaiser, Daly, Leist and King participated in the first round with their INDYCAR Nation teammates. Winners of those games were paired with Pagenaud and Kimball in the finals. Cole Anderson of Easton, Pennsylvania, successfully defended the Tailgate Toss 200 championship he won a year ago.
The final pitted Team Pagenaud against Kimball and Pit Crew teammate Allison Vennall. It was a nail-biting, back-and-forth match that some called “an instant classic.”
Team Kimball built a commanding lead, but continued to go over the maximum allowed score of 21 to win, forcing the score to reset at 15. Team Pagenaud rallied to win behind the game-winning last four tosses by the INDYCAR driver.
Pagenaud complimented his teammate’s effort while also explaining his own unique and varying styles used to toss the beanbags.
“Cole was a fantastic teammate and made me look very good,” the Team Penske driver said. “As you guys know with watching the Penske Games (videos showing the team’s drivers in wacky competitions), I struggle with following rules. All in all, we won and it was an awesome game.
“I think I scored three times the entire game and Cole scored so many. Cole won last year as well and now he’s my teammate for life. We will come back next year and defend the title.”
Anderson was excited to repeat and credited the INDYCAR drivers who served as his cornhole partners.
“It feels really cool. I’ve had great teammates,” he said. “Last year being partners with James Hinchcliffe and this year with Simon. Simon came in clutch at the end to get us the win. Really cool.”
Even though it ended in defeat, Kimball enjoyed the event and was happy to have shared his time with the fans.
“It’s awesome to come out here. I think the INDYCAR fans are the best in the world,” the Carlin driver said. “To have an event like this with INDYCAR Nation is a great way to spend time with fans and at a great venue like Mid-Ohio. With all of the camping and everyone being around, it’s fun. It’s really cool to be a part of this INDYCAR community.”
Indy Lights driver Norman visits Akron Children’s Hospital patients
Ryan Norman, the Andretti Autosport driver in Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires, made a stop near his home of Aurora, Ohio, on Thursday to visit with hospitalized and outpatient children at Akron Children’s Hospital. It was the latest event arranged by Racing For Kids, the charitable organization using motorsports to focus attention on the healthcare needs of children.
Norman regaled the patients with stories of his racing career and encouraged them to follow their own life dreams. It was his first visit with Racing For Kids, which makes similar stops in all INDYCAR race markets.
Former Indy car driver and team co-owner Robbie Buhl, a Racing For Kids spokesman since its inception, also attended and presented the hospital with a $1,500 check that will purchase stuffed animals to present to children upon admission to the hospital.
Joining Buhl (second from left) and Norman (middle) in the check presentation photo below are: Kristen Carpenter (left), coordinator of special events for the Akron Children’s Hospital Foundation; Cara Adams (second from right), chief engineer of Bridgestone Americas Motorsports, whose Firestone Racing tires for INDYCAR competition are developed and built in Akron; and Vicki Parisi (right), director of volunteers, Akron Children’s Hospital.
