Fernando Alonso mania continues at Indy 500 media day

INDIANAPOLIS – The arrival of Formula One driver Fernando Alonso has produced no shortage of fan excitement, and that has been well documented. 

That interest is not limited to fans, however. IndyCar says it has at least 150 new credential requests from international media members coming solely to cover Alonso's running of the 500. 

At media day Thursday, Alonso was not even visible due to the swarms of people surrounding him sticking cameras and microphones in his face. When he walked out at the session's conclusion, it still wasn't done. Reporters continued asking questions in a circle around him as he made his exit, and didn't stop until he drove off. 

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At one point, Tony Kanaan decided to take his shot at being reporter by taking a microphone and asking Alonso if he's actually enjoying this experience. 

"It's different," Alonso said. "I'm enjoying it because this is one race in the year. (I don't know) how you guys can deal with this every single race, but I enjoy it."

Dixon on robbery

The attention continues to surround Chip Ganassi Racing's Scott Dixon this week. The pole sitter for the Indianapolis 500 was robbed at gunpoint Sunday night at a Taco Bell near Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 

"It gives you a reality check, and it can make you feel pretty small again," Dixon said of the emotional swing. "But the biggest thing was that everyone was okay and nobody got injured and everybody can move on."

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When asked about the robbery being a potential distraction, he said the race is actually a good distraction from the robbery. Now he has so much to focus on that he can't let the robbery bother him. 

"Not a lot of time to reflect and sit back and think about other things," Dixon said. "It's nice to have the busyness of right now."

Who's she?

Drivers keep calling Indianapolis Motor Speedway a she, and they keep saying she is more than just a race track. Even Dixon, who isn't one for exaggeration, said the place has a certain aura about it. 

Graham Rahal said the track decides who wins. 

"Indy is its own beast," he said. "She kind of writes her own story. It just depends on whose story it is that year."

Dixon mentioned Kanaan as proof that sometimes somebody can run a dominant race, and the track decides it isn't their year. Dixon and Kanaan both talked about Kanaan leading for long stretches at the 500, seeming to have it in the bag and it being taken away. 

"It's not just me," Kanaan said. "Look at good drivers that led races. We can make a list of people that should have won this race and then we say, 'Ah, he's going to run away with it.' All of a sudden something happens."

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That's why Kanaan says, "Hello, beauty. How are you?" each time he drives in. Every time he comes in for the first time of the season, he kisses the asphalt. He doesn't do any burnouts in the parking lot. He said he tries to treat her well. 

He said he and his 2-year-old son, Deco, kissed the bricks together recently. Deco saw a picture in their home of Kanaan and his team kissing them, so when he saw the bricks in person, he yelled, "Bricks, bricks!" and they kissed them. 

"This place owes nobody nothing," Dixon said. "It's just, if you keep knocking on the door, it might open up."

Newgarden more 'locked down'

Last year at Indy 500 media day, Josef Newgarden put on makeup and a fake nose and pretended to be a reporter named Ted Crasnick.

That was a slightly different time for Newgarden as he was driving for Ed Carpenter Racing. Now, the 26-year-old driver is a part of Team Penske, and that comes with different expectations. 

"You have to be a little more professional," Newgarden said. "I think I'm more locked down and focused now."

They all still like to have fun despite the team change, he said while looking in the direction of known pranksters such as Tony Kanaan and James Hinchcliffe. There's just a greater sense of hard work and focus now. 

Gate restrictions for vice president

With Vice President Mike Pence coming to the 500 this weekend, IMS has started to implement increased security measures around the facility. 

Because of this, Gate 4 near Turn 2 is not open for pedestrian or vehicle traffic starting Friday. IMS President Doug Boles said those who normally enter through Gate 4 can enter through Gate 3 on 16th Street and go under the tunnel or through Gate 12. 

Because of the possibility of rain, Boles said attendees should arrive early all weekend and be patient because of the state of the parking lots. IMS is putting down more gravel and will have more tow trucks ready in case cars get stuck.