Exclusive: Peter Dempsey Driver Blog
Posted April 25, 2011 at 12:18 am • Driver Blog, Indy Lights • Comments
Editor’s note: I originally started this site to help up-and-coming drivers obtain the media attention they deserve. Sticking with that original ideology, I’ve decided to try something new this week.
I’ve asked Indy Lights driver Peter Dempsey to recap his first three races in the Firestone Indy Lights series in his own words for the JuniorOpenWheelTalent.com readership.
He was kind enough to oblige and will hopefully be back blogging here again after the Indianapolis Freedom 100 on May 27.
In the meantime, here’s an inside look at Peter’s 2011 season. Enjoy.
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Peter Dempsey celebrating his third-place finish in St. Petersburg following his first-ever Indy Lights race.
Hi everyone,
Welcome to my first blog, not only of 2011, but ever! Thanks to Ryan at JuniorOpenWheelTalent.com for giving me the opportunity to blog about my 2011 Firestone Indy Lights season.
It’s been a pretty busy opening to the season so far, especially having the first three races over such a short period of time. My girlfriend Mandy and I moved into our new apartment on Saturday, March 12, and the next morning we started our road trip from Chicago to Barber Motorsports Park for the first official test of the season.
I was actually driver coaching for Juncos Racing on Monday and Tuesday and then testing myself on Wednesday. Coaching and listening to the drivers’ feedback really helped me get a grip on the track and prepare for my first test in a Firestone Indy Lights car. After the series test at Barber, I headed down to Miami to participate in a private test with my team, O2 Racing Technology, on Monday, March 21. For me, the pre-season testing kicked off later than I had hoped for; I only got to complete those two tests at Barber and Miami prior to the first race in St. Petersburg. I had been out of a racecar for a year and a half, more or less, so it was important for me to do those tests and be able to perform to the best of my ability going into the first race of the season. Both tests went really well. I had fun getting to know the team at O2RT and learning and experimenting with the car.
