By Dave Calabro, WTHR Sports Director | wthr.com
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – In sunny South Florida, life moves a bit slower – even when you’re cruising on the water with 2014 Indy 500 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay and his first mate.
“This is the boss, Ryden. Say ‘hi’ buddy,” Hunter-Reay encourages his son. The 3-year old starts out a little shy, waving to the camera. You can tell he loves to hang out on the boat with his dad.
“This is the polar opposite of the intensity of IndyCar racing. This is where I get to unplug and decompress – depending on what we are doing, cruising with the kids or fishing, diving – different things,” Hunter-Reay tells Dave Calabro, who is visiting the family at their Fort Lauderdale home.
The water is like their second home.
“It’s something I want my kids to enjoy, being on the water,” Hunter-Reay says as he drives the boat.
Their Backyard Playground
“How’s your hair doing today?” Calabro asks, brushing his fingers through his hair during the windy boat ride. “Mine’s not doing too well,” says Hunter-Reay as he looks at his reflection in the chrome of the boat, then looks down at his son. “His isn’t too bad.” Ryden squeals with a little laugh.
Ryan grew up here. This is his backyard playground – water filled with luxury boats, bright sun and palm trees. As Ryden looks at a large houseboat, Hunter-Reay laughs, “I’m going to have to win a few more 500s to get that one, I think.”
“Do people leave you alone down here? Do they care that you are the 2014 Indy 500 Champion?” asks Calabro. “It’s pretty laid back here,” Hunter-Reay answers.
After a short cruise, they meet up with Ryan’s wife, Beccy, and their 1-year-old son Rocsen. “He’s going to be our wild one,” Beccy says as Rocsen grabs for the camera from his high chair.
“The two of them, Ryden and Rocsen together, are just incredible. He is such a great big brother. He is always looking out for his little brother. They just love each other,” says Hunter-Reay, adding, “I hope it stays that way. Man do I hope it stays that way!”
“I cherish every one of those moments”
The boys are growing up in the public spotlight, especially when the family comes to Indianapolis in May. Two years ago when Hunter-Reay won the Indianapolis 500, a 1-year old Ryden was pictured at the yard of bricks in a miniature electric yellow DHL racing suit just like his dad’s. “I cherish every one of those moments, because you know how quickly it’s going to go by. Before you know it, they’re going to be in high school and I’m not going to be as cool to them as I am now,” reflects Hunter-Reay.
“We’re super lucky to have two amazing boys and a pretty cool husband too,” Beccy says as Hunter-Reay puts tiny socks on Ryden. When Calabro asks what it would mean to win the Indy 500 again, Beccy smiles and says playfully, “See, we need two trophies because we have two kids. So no pressure at all!”
One incredible pass, now aiming for a second win
Now, during the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500, Hunter-Reay looks back at his 2014 win. He pulled off an incredible pass to take the checkered flag. The baby Borg Warner trophy he won is displayed in his “man cave” in their home. It’s on a shelf next to the commemorative bottle of milk. “You know, Indy was always a pretty tough place for me. It didn’t come easy. We had a great car this year, put the whole month together and had a great race…a lot I’m very proud of there.”
Hunter-Reay wants to make his wife’s wish come true and win that second Borg Warner trophy this year. “It’s an American tradition,” he says. “It’s the biggest single-day sporting event in the world. It’s intense.” Back on the boat, he looks to Ryden and asks, “Do you want to go to the Indy 500? Is that your favorite race?” Ryden answers with a simple, “Yeah.”
“Every day, I walk up to that car and see my name on it. I feel fortunate to be in that position. It never gets old for me. I love my job.”
He’s living a dream on the track – and off.
“I have never wanted anything more. This is just a dream – making a living out of doing something I love and having a great family. This is everything we ever wanted.”
Original article link:
http://www.wthr.com/story/32053094/indycar-dads-ryan-hunter-reay-living-a-dream-with-his-wife-2-sons
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