Detroit – Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham did not hesitate when offered an opportunity to be a passenger in the IndyCar two-seater known as the “Fastest Seat in Sports”.
Whittingham, in his first season as Michigan’s football coach, participated in leading the IndyCar series field to the green flag Sunday on the downtown street circuit of the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix. He had never before attended an auto race but said everything about it appealed to him.
“Didn’t flinch,” Whittingham told The Detroit News about accepting the offer. “No brainer. I love speed.”
Before he got in the car, he was asked during the FOX broadcast what he expected from his lap.
“Speed,” Whittingham said. “Speed, speed and more speed.”
Whittingham, wearing a race helmet with his name stripped across the front above the visor, was in the car going around the track when FOX broadcaster Townsend Bell asked him during the broadcast what the experience was like.
“I can’t really hear you, but this is a helluva deal,” Whittingham said, the in-car camera showing him. “Whoo-hoo!”
Bell then threw out a “Go Blue”.
“Go, go, go!” Whittingham shouted in response.
Whittingham, who was Utah head coach the last 21 seasons, loves to ski, he plays golf and tennis, works out every day and also drives a motorcycle. He said the fastest he’s ever gone is 200 mph on a motorcycle.
His brother, Freddie, who coaches Michigan’s tight ends, was also at the Detroit Grand Prix and said his brother likes to drive fast and actually wanted to drive the two seater. During a commercial break, Whittingham, speaking to the FOX booth, said the seat was a “little snug.”
“Wish I was driving,” he said.
The Fastest Seat in Sports is a custom IndyCar series car with a special back passenger seat that leads the starting field to the green flag. Several celebrities have participated in the two-seater ride including Tom Brady. At the Indianapolis 500 last Sunday, Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti rode in the pace car.
Whittingham and his party arrived about two hours before the start of the IndyCar race and were escorted to the IndyCar suite. They then visited with the No. 14 team, drivers Santino Ferrucci and Caio Collet and Larry Foyt, who is a college football fan, and they presented Whittingham with a signed helmet.
“Great guys,” Whittingham said of the two drivers. “And obviously courageous.”
He described the experience with IndyCar at the street circuit as “awesome” and “incredible.” While he made clear he craves speed, he was asked if he likes to drive fast.
“Not on public roads,” Whittingham said, smiling.
Whittingham said he appreciated the teamwork involved and racing with the pit crews and drivers and found that similar to football. Speaking of football, summer workouts begin Monday, and Whittingham said he won’t have a problem switching from this race experience back to football. Michigan running backs Jordan Marshall and Tomas O’Meara also were at the race on Sunday.
“That’ll be easy,” Whittingham said. “I’ve been doing that for 40 years. No problem.”
achengelis@detroitnews.com
@chengelis
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Michigan coach Whittingham rides in IndyCar’s ‘fastest seat in sports’
Reporting by Angelique S. Chengelis, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
