The Official Blog of the IZOD IndyCar Series

The line of automobiles stretched down the winding road with their inhabitants waiting patiently (this is Japan after all) for the Twin Ring Motegi gates to open promptly at 8 a.m., signaling the start of Friendship Day.

Takuma Sato with fans

[More]

I’m heading to Japan on Wednesday with most of the IZOD IndyCar Series staff and the drivers and teams. Getting there is pretty painless for us – it’s not unlike any other flight to a race, only longer. So what does it take to move the IZOD IndyCar Series across the Pacific?

It turns out it’s not that different a process from getting the people there. It takes a lot of cooperation and patience needed between series officials, the teams, the ground crew and Nippon Cargo Air – which transported some very precious freight.

For most teams, the journey to Japan started as soon as the checkered flag fell in Kentucky.

Loading up at IND

[More]