Denny Hamlin, NASCAR and Indy driver, said the morning of the 2025 Indy race, “A driver doesn’t choose this track, it chooses you.”
What did he mean? Is it like life? Life chooses us for certain things even when we don’t seem to fit.
With NASCAR and Indy drivers, some don’t fit, but they have an overwhelming desire to race. An accident left Samuel Schmidt, a former Indy race car driver, a quadriplegic. He would race again, if he could. Billy Monger, a double amputee, even Armani Williams, diagnosed with autism, were chosen to race. It’s in their blood.
It’s not if a person fits what others think, it’s inside of them. Their desire will push them to do things that don’t make sense to others. They are determined to do it no matter what.
I didn’t fit in certain circles of people whose leaders didn’t think a woman should teach or lead. To teach and lead were the attributes that screamed inside of me; they needed a place to express their existence. Frustrated for years, I kept studying and learning.
Just by being where others thought I didn’t fit, I was a threat. Possibly I didn’t know how to keep my mouth shut. I’m sure I thought I was the smartest one in the room. With in-depth study, I revered the Bible for 60 years as my mission in life. I constantly read commentaries, and I studied Greek for five years, always being prepared and excited to teach.
I ran past the knowledge of other leaders who held their coveted places and titles. I was always the odd person out without a title or place but with a fiery passion that could have burned a house down.
For years, I’d say, “I don’t fit there.” Then I’d go somewhere else, and I didn’t fit. What was that all about? I’d cry out to God, “Why do I have this burning passion so strong in me and I don’t fit?”
Eighty years of living has brought some eye-opening experiences. Even though this old body is breaking down, I feel like I’ve graduated into new and higher learning and am ready to teach. I realized that Life (God) choose me for these hard places. Oh me, why did it take a lifetime being a square peg in a round hole to know this? And, yes, I have found my place and, yes, I’m still learning.
My Sweet Al has found his place. He is a die-hard fan of the Indy 500 Race. This year, the 109th Indianapolis 500 was no exception as Al sat in his easy chair for the long 500 miles. He watched Palou take the lead late from Marcus Ericsson and hold onto victory for a win — the IndyCar championship leader’s first win on an oval.
The Indy 500 race has always been a part of our family. It seems that the Indy track chose the Andretti family also. Mario won only one race in 1969. I remember thinking after 29 starts and all the losses he suffered that he needed to give up driving. He had grown old and pudgy and didn’t fit in the car. Mario didn’t pay me any mind. He continued to drive. What did I know about his life? It wasn’t about him fitting, but what was in him that made him continue.
Michael, his son, also won a race. This year, Marco experienced an unfortunate incident on the opening lap and crashed in turn one. The newscaster talked about the Andretti curse. There is something that ties the Andretti family to the Indy track. It’s like Hamlin says, “The track chose them.”
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is no ordinary race track. A driver will step onto the track and bend to kiss the brick. Then they listen to the traditional song, which has been sung since 1946. Each year, with pride, Indiana native Connor Daley cries in his race car when he hears Jim Cornelison sing “Back Home Again in Indiana.”
I stirred Hamlin’s statement in my mind. What are the things that seem to have been chosen us in life? Definitely, this little town of Pagosa Springs. In 1965, just kids ourselves, with no sense, but with something pulling us, we bought land and became part of the wilderness experience. Many friends have moved away, but something has tied us to this town, no matter what has come or gone. Pagosa has chosen us as it has for many.
Final brushstroke: When something happens that we can’t explain, I can see the whys today. It makes perfect sense. So, when Hamlin says the Indiana race track chooses the drivers, I understand what he is saying. Life has chosen us and when we learn to embrace it, we will know we belong, even if we don’t fit.
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