The Java House Grand Prix is scheduled this weekend in Arlington, and parties in the city's Entertainment District have already begun. Arrow McLaren hosted a fan festival at Texas Live! this week.
"It's super fun to have everybody involved," says Pato O'Ward who has been driving with Arrow McLaren in IndyCar since 2020. "Obviously, it's better to have these to start the week rather than later on because you want to be focused on performance heading into the weekend."
Fan Fest was Wednesday. Drivers are taking their first laps on the circuit in practice today.
During the event Wednesday, drivers called up kids on stage for a calf roping contest where they tried to rope plastic calves held by the children.
"Seeing new, young fans who are interested in IndyCar and being able to involve them in events like this is just awesome. It's so much fun," says Nolan Siegel.
O'Ward, Siegel and Christian Lundgaard competed in the calf roping contest. Each called a child on stage to help. Lundgaard and Siegel did lasso their calves; Siegel was declared the winner by gaining a louder cheer from the crowd.
"All the street courses are great events, but being here, there's something about it. The energy is so great here, and people are so excited. IndyCar is back in Texas," Siegel says. "I think anyone who comes to this event and wasn't an IndyCar fan in the past is going to become and IndyCar fan."
The drivers took pictures and signed autographs after the contest. They say leadership of the Arlington Grand Prix has worked harder to set up events to draw new fans.
"We have so much help promoting this and so much help getting new people interested in IndyCar," Siegel says.
But they also say they are looking ahead to their first practice runs.
"It's a new track, and that's always fun. I think it does even the playing field a little bit. You get out on practice one and have no idea what to expect. As a driver, that's kind of the most enjoyable thing. You get there and just figure it out," Siegel says.
"The track is looking really cool, they've done a great job," O'Ward says.
"It really gets you excited for the inaugural race here in Arlington," says Arrow McLaren's Natalie Riordan. "We're always excited to see more sports in Texas."
McLaren Automotive moved its North American headquarters from New York to Dallas in 2022. Riordan says McLaren spotted a growing market in Texas, so the automaker is glad to welcome the race team to "our hometown."
"With motorsports being a huge tie to our heritage, continuously working with our local retailer network, this definitely has driven our brand awareness in Texas," she says.
Fans could also get to know McLaren's drivers. Each one answered questions on stage.
"I was born and raised in Monterrey, Mexico but left when I was 11. I'm now 26, and I've spent much more time here," O'Ward said. "I love America, I love the United States, I love the Hispanic community who gets to come to all these events. I definitely feel the passion all the time, and I think Arlington won't be any different."
"I have two people I'm close enough with to talk to and trust, people who are willing to help," Siegel said on stage of his teammates. "Having that relationship among the three of us is super-beneficial. We push each other hard. It's nice having two teammates I want to succeed, and I feel lke they want me to succeed."
Practice runs start today; qualifying is Saturday, and the green flag at the Java House Grand Prix of Arlington is scheduled to drop at 1:17 p.m. Sunday.