“But you could probably talk a team into letting you run the Champ Dirt series when the dates don‘t conflict. Duke Moran, Joe Logan, a lot of guys still do that, just because they love it. And here‘s another idea: the USAC stock cars run some double-header weekends with the Indy cars, and you‘d have no problem getting a ride over there. Most of their races don‘t pay great, but some of the bigger races aren‘t too bad.”
That‘s an idea Jimmy hadn‘t thought about…stock cars.
“The best advice I can give you is to pretend like you‘re still poor for the first couple of years,” Lou offered. “A lot of guys, when they land an Indy car ride, they run out and buy a big house and a new car. Don‘t do that…this deal is not very stable, not in the beginning. Even at this level, the only security you‘ll ever have is money in the bank. Everything else can be taken away in a heartbeat.
“So, keep living where you‘re living now. Don‘t get married and don‘t borrow any money. Don‘t get caught up in thinking you‘re in the big time and spending money like crazy.”
Lou looked at Jimmy and smiled.
“Of course, for a habitual tightwad like you, that‘s probably not a problem.”
When the test got underway at the famed Milwaukee Mile the next morning, Jimmy felt a connection with Lou like never before. He tried to bring the right attitude to the test: instead of trying to impress Lou, he wanted to show him that he could listen and learn and was willing to take criticism in order to get better.
Hell, if Lou told him to drive around the track in the wrong direction Jimmy wouldn‘t have questioned him.
The drill was somewhat the same as the Phoenix test last week. They put Jimmy through a couple of pit stops, and sent him out on fresh tires. Then they changed to old tires and ran some more. They did a long run of about 60 laps, and then simulated a qualifying run with a different setup and the boost cranked up.
They adjusted the car and sent Jimmy back out, and after a half-dozen laps brought him back in.
Lou leaned over the cockpit.
“So how did that change affect the car?” he asked Jimmy.
“Made it push,” Jimmy replied. “I could feel the front tires scooting on entry, and through the corner.”
“But after the first two laps your times got a little better. How come?”
“They did?” Jimmy asked, a little surprised. “I changed my line a little to ease the push, but it didn‘t feel any faster. You sure?”
“No doubt about it,” Lou insisted. “But you changed your line, that‘s good. That‘s what you have to do, Jimmy. The car will never be perfect…you have to develop an instinct on adjusting how you drive to suit the conditions. That‘s very important.”
They ran another hour before bringing Jimmy in for the final time. He climbed from the car and sat down on the pit wall as the crew prepared to roll the car back to their trailer.
Lou walked over and sat next to Jimmy.
“How‘d I do?” Jimmy asked.
“You did fine, just like I figured you would,” Lou said. “You have the ability to race at this level, I have no doubt. It‘s just a matter of getting the right opportunity and experience, getting laps and getting dialed in.”