Vintage Indy History, Dan Gurney’s Eagles, and Racing with Christian Rasmussen
In this special on-the-road edition of The Pits Are Open, host Will Marotti heads to Indianapolis for a behind-the-scenes tour of historic race cars, legendary engines, and an inside look at the business of modern IndyCar racing.
Featured Guests:
✅ Mike Lashmett (Founder, Vintage Indy) – Takes us on a guided tour through a museum of open-wheel racing history. From Mario Andretti’s 1969 Indy 500-winning engine to the infamous “Mystery Eagle” driven by Jerry Grant, Mike shares amazing stories, vintage memorabilia, and how Vintage Indy keeps racing history alive.
✅ Christian Rasmussen (Driver, Ed Carpenter Racing) – The rising IndyCar star opens up about his journey from karting in Denmark to the NTT IndyCar Series, what it was like driving at the Indy 500 for the first time, and how he’s preparing for a breakout season.
✅ Wes Zirkle (Attorney & Motorsports Marketing Expert) – Discusses the business side of racing, including sponsorship strategy, branding, and navigating contracts. Wes and Will also break down the reality of funding for young drivers and what makes Christian’s brand stand out.
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What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
The legacy of Dan Gurney’s AAR Eagles and the story behind Sweet Savage’s STP car
Why 1973 was one of the darkest years in Indy 500 history
What it’s like to qualify for the Indy 500 – from rookie orientation to 240+ MPH laps
Behind the scenes with Vintage Indy’s event schedule, car registry, and sponsorship model
How Christian Rasmussen is building his racing brand on and off the track
Pro tips for young racers navigating sponsorships and investor-backed deals
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