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Discovering Sting Ray Robb

Sometimes a person has to make something happen. Other times it just does.

The latter is how my husband and I got to know an IndyCar driver, Sting Ray Robb.

I'm going to admit something maybe I shouldn't... but when I first wanted to interview an IndyCar chaplain, yes, I did want to learn about what he does and share that with others... but I mostly wanted a legitimate way to get press passes for my husband and me for the IndyCar race at Barber Motorsports Park.

I had no idea where that interview would lead.

My husband has been an IndyCar fan as long as he can remember. One of his big dreams was to shoot a race right off the track. 

On the other hand, I didn't like racing at all. To me it was simply a huge waste of natural resources and didn't seem like it took any skill to do. I mean, it took nerves, but skill? Not so much.

Even though my then-boyfriend/now husband tried to expose me to the wonder of racing, I honestly only watched it to please him. I didn't understand it; I didn't know any of the names; I felt, well, just really bored.

But I wanted to spend time with my then-boyfriend/now-husband, so I watched it with him.

All this changed with one interview.

I spoke with Tim Carrie, one of the chaplains for Kingdom Racing. He told me about the evangelistic work they do at races and about their "Miles of Smiles" program, which is similar to Make-A-Wish except with race cars. 

One of the things that stood out most in that interview was how much the steering wheel of an IndyCar costs. It blew me away when he casually said that they run in the $25K range... just for the steering wheel.

Another was about the pit crews. I had never really thought about them and how important their role is in a race - or how dangerous it is. Of course, the driver is in a high-risk sport, but the cars are so protected now that it takes a lot for them to get seriously hurt. 

On the other hand, the pit crews just wear fire-proof suits. The cars come in to pit at 55-65 mph and they have to stop in a very small box with only inches to spare. A tire changer can easily be very hurt or killed if something goes wrong.

Suddenly, I had much more respect for the sport - and I realized there was a lot I didn't know and maybe I should give it a chance.

The last thing I asked chaplain before the interview was over was whether he knew of a driver I could possibly also interview and at the end of my notes were three words: Sting Ray Robb.

Fast forward a few months. 

We met Sting Ray (and yes, that's his real name) at the race that we got to shoot. I got his contact information from him. What I loved most about him was what he called his mom. She was his "momager." In fact, I communicated with her back and forth a lot before I ever talked to Sting Ray other than that few minutes to initially say hi. 

I was able to get an interview with Sting Ray  He was an Indy Lights, now called Indy NXT, driver, not the highest level (NTT IndyCar). But he was an amazing person and a strong Christian, which is who I wanted to talk to for the Christian newspaper I wrote for. 

Since meeting Sting Ray, my husband and I have shot about 5 or 6 IndyCar races. We've interviewed a few drivers and met several others. Sting Ray is now in his third year as a NTT IndyCar driver. 

Plus, you know how I said I didn't like racing? Well, that's completely changed. I knew something had changed in me when I got to an IndyCar race and heard them practicing. I literally teared up. (Weird, I know, right?) I have grown to love that sound and those people. 

It's amazing to see where taking one chance and getting out of your comfort zone can take you.

                                                      (All images by Travis Frontz)




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