AT THE TRACK WITH TESSA GANASSI

Tessa Ganassi is the 14-year old daughter of Chip Ganassi, owner of Chip Ganassi Racing Teams (CGRT) which operates seven race teams across three different series.  This past weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Tessa made her first appearance as an investigative reporter inside the paddock area and conducted several interviews with members of TEAM TARGET as well as race fans and got their opinions and views on a myriad of subjects -  fashion, music, entertainment, food and oh yes, racing.  It was her goal to give a teenager’s, perspective into the world of the IZOD IndyCar Series.  The team will run a series of interviews, blogs and videos, all seen through the eyes of a 14-year-old girl.

Tessa spoke with Scott Dixon, driver of the No. 9 Target Honda for Target Chip Ganassi Racing in the IZOD IndyCar Series.  He is also a former Indianapolis 500 winner and two-time series champion.  During their conversation, she was able to get the inside scoop from one of the series’ most popular drivers.

This is what she found…

Tessa Ganassi:  “Okay, Scott.  Here come the tough questions…What is your favorite TV show?”
Scott Dixon:  “I like ‘Eastbound and Down’.  Also, a lot of British TV shows like ‘The Inbetweeners’.  I will leave it at those two for now.”

TG:  “If you could have front row tickets to any concert, what would it be?”
SD:  “Probably U2.  Just because I have been listening to it my whole life.   I’ve always liked U2.”

TG:  “Do you have any hidden talents?”
SD:  “I have plenty, but…I love flying.  As far as outdoor stuff is concerned, I like wakeboarding, you know, and cycling.”

TG:  “What are some activities that you do to have fun at the track?”
SD:  “I actually just brought a [toy] helicopter to fly around the track.  I tried to get it going on the bus, but I was going to smash a window.  So maybe I should bring it outside.”  (Laughs)

TG:  “What is your favorite sport, other than racing?”
SD:  “Probably, coming from New Zealand, rugby is really big and America’s Cup sailing.  Now, living in America…probably football.  Especially with the Colts right there in Indianapolis.”

TG:  “If they were going to make a movie about your life, who would you want to play you?”
SD:  “Oh!  Brad Pitt.  I hear we look very similar. Like ‘brothers from other mothers’.”

TG:  “At what age did you first drive a car?”
SD:  “Like a go-kart, I was about 7.  For a road car I was probably…11.”

TG:  “What is your favorite city to race in?”
SD:  “I love Indianapolis.  Just because it is home, and that’s the biggest race that we have.  Probably would have been Vancouver in the earlier days.  Vancouver was cool because the climate and city life is very similar to New Zealand’s.”

Rapid Fire Questions:
TG:  “Chocolate or Vanilla?”
SD:  “Chocolate.”

TG:  “Cats or Dogs?”
SD:  “Dogs.”

TG:  “New York or California?”
SD:  “Umm…I like New York.”

TG:  “Talking or texting?”
SD:  “Texting.”

TG:  “Facebook or Twitter?”
SD:  “Twitter.”

TG:  “Snowboarding or skiing?”
SD:  “Skiing.”

TG:  “Do you prefer the beach or the mountains?”
SD:  “I have to say the beach.  Even though I have red hair, meaning I get burnt.”