The typical teenager’s high school life flies by, but normally not at more than 220 miles an hour. As a racing prodigy he’s not living the life of a typical 19-year old college bound kid.
I recently had the chance to sit down with the 19-year old Indy 500 rookie. He had just finished his first qualifying attempt running a 228.650 run which put him in the 21st position.
After the run he told me, “There’s not much we can really do right now. The team looked at me like I shouldn’t leave yet so I don’t know yet. I know we made some changes so heading into tomorrow but we may try to get another run in.”
Davey Hamilton, a former driver with Dreyer and Reinbold racing, told me Sage has asked him, “Basic things really, how the lines run, how the process goes, some goals for each day, things to look for. He’s a great kid and has a super lot of talent. We’re taking it just one step at a time right now but I believe that with the talent that both him and the team have that we could end up being a top 9 team.”
Sage told me, “Davey has been helping me a lot. Dario (Franchitti), Scott (Dixon) and Tony (Kanaan) have helped a lot as well. So I’ve got a lot of good guys in my camp that I can rely on as well.”
“I’m having a blast so far, it’s amazing. I think I’ve been coming every year since I was eight years old. It’s awesome to see it from the cockpit and see it from that point of view. It’s a dream come true, I love it.”
When asked about being eight (now seven) away from his first 500 and what he was looking forward to the most he told me, “Probably just the day itself. Just to get here in the morning and see all the fans rolling in. I remember coming in every year and waiting one, two or three hours in traffic trying to get in the gate. Just waiting in that line and seeing people partying at 7 a.m. I saw one guy playing with this gas powered helicopter and stuff and it’s like these guys have an awesome time. So now I’m coming in here at seven with a police escort so things obviously have changed. I just can’t wait to get in here and see the fans and see what it looks like sitting in my car with the grandstands full.”
Sage will start in the 31st position next Sunday. With a bright future ahead, and many people rooting for him, he’s determined, humble, and ready to give it his best shot.
-Ryan Kent Jr
@RyanKent47
