73-year-old gets ride of lifetime at IMS

SPEEDWAY, Ind. (WISH) - An Indiana grandmother got the ride of lifetime Tuesday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. After attending her 59th Indianapolis 500, Phyllis Price, 73, finally got a chance to chance to take her own ride around the track she loves.

Price was one of hundreds who took part in the Indy Racing Experience at IMS this year. For $499, fans got the chance to take laps in a specially modified two-seater IndyCar, driver by former IndyCar Series drivers including Davey Hamilton, Arie Luyendyk Jr. and Stéphan Grégoire.

Price, of Wabash, said riding around the famed Brickyard had been on her “bucket list” for years.

“In 1953, my brother brought me to my first time at the track, and I’ve always loved these cars and we’ve been coming ever since,” she said. “We just look forward to [the race] every year. It’s the one Sunday every year that I’m not playing the organ at our church. Now, we’re into the fourth generation. And, I’ve always said I’d just love to get in one of those [cars]. So, for my 73rd birthday, my family said that’s what you’re going to do!”

Price and the other racers each took three laps around the track at speeds of nearly 180 mph.

“It was amazing, and it just gives me so much more respect for what these drivers go through,” Price said after emerging from the car.

Asked if she ever thought she was too old to race around at speeds that fast, Price laughed.

“I say you're never too old,” she said with a wide grin. “Get out and do what you want to do as long as you can move, and the more you do that the more you'll enjoy life!”

The Indy Racing Experience has given rides to more than 12,000 people since it began in 2001.