See IndyStar sports reporting intern ride along in NASCAR stock car

Sports reporting often keeps interns behind a desk or typing away in a press box, but sometimes the job takes you directly onto the track. Recently, IndyStar intern Jessica Garcete traded her notebook for a fire suit to experience a high-speed ride at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This wasn't just a casual tour around the grounds. Garcete climbed into a NASCAR 2-seater vehicle to get a firsthand perspective of the physical intensity required in professional motorsports.

Professional driver Michael McDowell, who competes in the NASCAR Cup Series for Spire Motorsports, piloted the vehicle during this outing. McDowell guided the car through the historic circuit, giving the intern a taste of the speeds and cornering forces that drivers manage during race weekends. The experience provided a rare look at the cockpit environment and the demands placed on athletes at the highest level of stock car racing.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway serves as a primary hub for American motorsports, hosting major events that draw thousands of fans each year. By stepping into the passenger seat, Garcete gained a practical understanding of the sport she covers for our readers. This firsthand encounter highlights the speed and precision that define the NASCAR experience from the perspective of a race car interior.

For those who follow motorsports, the footage and photos from this day offer a glimpse into the raw reality of the sport. The preparation, including safety gear and technical instruction, remains a standard procedure for anyone entering a high-performance race machine. This ride along at the track represents one of the unique opportunities that arise for journalists working on the sports beat.