Namath praises Alabama IndyCar track, AJ McCarron
Namath, who lives in Florida, was flown over Barber Motorsports Park in a private plane on Saturday a day before serving as grand marshal, and praised the track with his characteristic enthusiasm.
"This is spectacular," the former Alabama and New York Jets quarterback said. "I've never seen anything like it, really. I was lucky enough to come in (Saturday) and get an overview from the sky, and then being out here looking at it, seeing the elevation changes, the turns. I mean, this is spectacular, along with everything that goes with the park. It's a thrill and it's an eye-opener for me to see this."
Namath posed for photos with A.J. Foyt and some of the IndyCar drivers, and chatted with team owner Roger Penske before preparing some kabobs with Josef Newgarden on the cooker bearing the former NFL star's name.
"I have a great deal of respect for anyone that's good at something," Namath said. "I respect people, anyway. But whether you go see a Broadway play, whether you go to a sporting event, these people are the best. They put the hours, the days, the time into honing skills. And to see these people put their expertise to work, it's jaw-dropping.
"I'm amazed at what these people do. It's one thing to watch it on television, it's another to be close up here and see it, feel it. There's no place like actually being at the track or actually being at the stadium." AP Story