On February 9th and 10th, ISM Raceway in Phoenix hosted the Verizon IndyCar Series for its first official open test of the year, with fans allowed to attend for free on the second day during ISM’s “Prix View” event.

As HumansOfRacing.com interacted with the fans in the stands, we came across locals taking advantage of the event as well as an international audience, including one family that had just moved to Arizona from Japan and a gentleman who was visiting from Quebec.

For some of the attendees, such as the Itakura family, it was their first chance to visit ISM Raceway in-person.  This event was an opportunity to see Japan’s national hero, Takuma Sato, where they had just moved from a few months ago.

Karissa and Julian Morales (nine and 17, respectively) had previously attended NASCAR events at the track, but on this day, they were seeing cars from the Verizon IndyCar Series running for the first time.  The looks, sounds, and speeds of the cars impressed them both.

For others, like Philippe Laprise, motor racing is one of his biggest passions in life, and the sights, sounds, and smells of the Verizon IndyCar Series on track was an opportunity he could not pass up while in town on business.  For him, motor racing is a passion that has fueled his life for many years.

Regardless of previous exposure to ISM or the Verizon IndyCar Series, many that we spoke with mentioned that they would love to return for the Phoenix Grand Prix on April 7th.

Did you attend the “Prix View?”  Will you be attending another event?  Let us know in the comments!  We would love to meet you.