'It's not easy being me this week'

Arie Luyendyk on retirement, tethers and 2-percent milk

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Posted: Wednesday May 26, 1999 04:56 PM

Right where he needs to be: Luyendyk (right) will start from the front row, among the likes of Greg Ray (center) and Billy Boat. AP

The "Flying Dutchman" is taking one last spin around The Brickyard in Sunday's 83rd Indianapolis 500. Two-time Indy winner Arie Luyendyk is retiring after this race, and took a break from Tuesday's practice session to speak with CNN/SI's Chris Rose from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Chris Rose: Arie, you said you're not just showing up for this last race. You're actually want to go out and win it. You're kind of half way there. You're on the pole and we know how important it is to be in the front row during your two wins in '90 and '97. You started in row one -- very, very important.

Arie Lureyndyk: Yeah, you know I decided to retire and then I chose Indianapolis 500 for me to use as my last race because I think Indianapolis is the race that made my name famous in America as far as Indy Car racing goes. And I thought it would be a great place to use these three weeks while we're here to show my appreciation to the fans for their great support throughout the 15 years that I've been here and thank everyone that's been involved in my career.

But I did say that although we're doing all these activities during the month of May, that my mission first and foremost is to win this race, and obviously we've been doing a good job with my team by getting the pole position. And I think we're going to be very well prepared for the race come Sunday.

CR: It sounds a little corny, but if you go out on top, this will be your third Indy 500 win. Do you think about going out on top? Guys like John Elway and Michael Jordan have obviously done that. Do you think about that at all?

AL: Well, I would love to go out on top. I'd love to win this race for the third time because it's really it's such a rewarding experience, not just for me, but for the guys who work on my team. I mean, it's such a team effort. It's not just the driver, but it's the whole package together and for our sponsor, Sprint PCS, we would just love to have all that exposure for them.

CR: The safety has obviously been a huge issue on the circuit, not just for the drivers, but also for the fans after what happened down in Charlotte. Now you're implementing a brand new tether system for Indianapolis 500. Can you kind of explain that?

AL: It's basically in layman's terms, we're connecting wheels to wires that are attached to the car so if we do hit the wall, the wheel will be connected to this wire that is a very high-tech carbon fiber-type material [that is] very strong. It can withstand five tons of pull of pressure on it so when that happens, if there's an incident, then the wheel will stay attached to the car. That way it won't be able to be propelled into the grand stands as happened a couple of weeks ago on that tragic night in Charlotte.

This is the second time in a few years now that we've had a tragic accident like this -- last year in Michigan 500 in the CART race it happened, and again this year. We can't afford to lose more lives, especially not from the fans who come out there for their pleasure to watch us. You know they support us and it really hurt for everybody involved. The fans are part of our racing family as are the crews and the drivers -- everybody involved. Our sport wouldn't exist without fans and we have to do everything we can to protect them.

CR: But with this new system in place, is there more risk for the drivers now at all?

AL: I would say at the moment there is. I would say the system is not developed all the way yet. It's not bulletproof. And it does induce a risk for the driver and you know the drivers are aware of the risks when they go out on the track driving and we're aware of this added little risk for us. I don't think it's a great risk, but it's worth it.

CR: Speaking of safety, you are there promoting cell phone safety. Can you explain that as well?

AL: Well, because of my involvement with Sprint PCS, it's also, you know, this week is Wireless Safety Week. It's really easy to get into trouble on the road while using a phone and while you are driving if you are just not using it the right way. It comes down to using your head, following common sense. If's it's very busy on the highway and there's a lot of traffic, it's probably not a good time to be on the phone. So, it's really not a matter of the product being a problem, it's really the user that needs to know when he can use it.

It's like saying 'Well, I'm going to drive my car. Its got this great safety bag and it's got an air bag in the door and in the steering wheel, but I'm not going to wear my seatbelt.' So, while the airbag is not going to help you much if you are not using the seatbelt, and it's the same as using the phone at the wrong time.

CR: Finally Arie, you are getting a little older, so if you do pull into Victory Lane for the third time, when you do sip that milk, are you going to switch from 2% to skim?

AL: [Laughs] Yeah, I looked pretty old this morning, bags under my eyes, been here since 4 o'clock this morning. It's not easy being me this week. But you know, the milk will taste great no matter what the percentage. I'm on a diet anyway.

 

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