At The 102nd Running Of The Indianapolis 500!
For auto-racing fans the month of May culminates with a big-time, fan-filled event at “The Brickyard” for the greatest spectacle in speed.
Memorial Day weekend traditionally ushers in the summer season with family gatherings, barbecues, parades, and most important – the solemn remembrance of our nation’s fallen heroes. There is one more tradition that tends to capture the imagination during this seasonal transition. After a century of historic racing, the sights and sounds of the Indianapolis 500 have become as much a part of American culture as apple pie — even if you don’t know the difference between a carburetor and a fuel injector. As thousands of multi-colored balloons can be seen soaring above the track and the strains of “Back Home in Indiana” can be heard, one can sense the adrenaline, the anticipation, of the crowd as they listen for the announcer’s cue— “drivers… start your engines!”
Suddenly, an unmistakable roar hits their ears, the sound of thirty-three Indy cars— each primed for immortality. The checkered flag signals the moment of truth, and for the next three hours the audience is transfixed — mesmerized by the speed, the skill, and the unpredictability of this iconic event… until the winner is crowned… and the milk is guzzled. At CAP and at Meyer Shank Racing – the months of preparation bring us to the one hundred and second running of the truly incredible Indy 500.
This year, for one racing team there is a quiet confidence that supports great expectations. Jim Meyer and Michael Shank, in collaboration with the technical wizardry of Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, bring a youthful exuberance and competitive edge to this year’s running. In that same vein, young, ambitious driver Jack Harvey joins Meyer Shank Racing— taking the wheel of the black and hot pink Honda Indy car in the hopes of tasting that coveted milky reward. Returning for his sophomore go-round, Ohio native Michael Shank has been a fixture on the racing circuit for nearly fifteen years. Accompanying him is partner, and longtime friend Jason Prosnik — president of CAP Fixtures, and design force behind Michael’s custom-built garage at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and his Ohio-based 20,000 square foot, race shop — complete with team meeting rooms, engineering complex, and impressively conceived trophy-and-helmet display.
CAP CEO, founder, and by the way Jason’s mother, Charlene Prosnik has been one of Michael Shank’s biggest fans since his early days on the racing circuit – calling him “like a son” and treating him like family. And like Michael, Charlene is also a vocal advocate of the AutoNation campaign… “Drive Pink”… which has successfully raised both awareness and research funding for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of breast cancer. The Meyer Shank Racing Number “60” Indy car… in chrome and brilliant pink… is testimony to the generous support of the team, its partners, and its sponsors. Charlene Prosnik couldn’t be more proud of Michael Shank’s successful run toward this prestigious opportunity. “CAP has been partnered with Meyer Shank Racing for over eight years, and we’ve watched Mike make an impact in motorsports. Racing in the Indianapolis 500 is a dream come true for Mike, and one-that is well deserved. It’s just as exciting for us at CAP Fixtures, and me personally, to be part of the Meyer Shank team… and part of this special moment in their journey.”
You would think that the similarities between Michael Shank and Jason Prosnik might end with their long-term friendship, a common interest in racing, and those Ohio roots. Well… you’d be surprised how parallel their universes really are… as well as the disciplined mindset they both share. One builds high-performance race cars that push the boundaries of speed and performance. The other builds display fixtures that push products at point-of-purchase. These are two guys who are traveling in very different worlds… right? “Over the last 10 years or so my relationship with CAP has grown a lot, and it started from making trophy cabinets and that’s the truth of it. The trophy cabinet we have here today is truly a piece of artwork, but more than anything it’s just about small businesses, working hard, having a very similar work ethic, and the pursuit of perfection and business.” Notes Michael Shank. “Charlene Prosnik has built her business up the exact same way I am experiencing now and there is a lot more commonality. We have both grown up together in our own ways, and share not only our hometowns but very common business practices. In that lies a lot of very neat stuff we are able to do now.”
And the neat stuff is about to get real….fast. “For both of us, it boils down to a fanatical attention to detail. We’re relentless in our precise planning behind the scenes,” explains Jason. “It’s imperative that we execute our jobs seamlessly and flawlessly. It all comes down to preparation.”
These friends both travel in fast-moving environments, facing seasonal pressure, a demanding economic climate, and a compulsive drive to achieve greater speed and efficiency. Exploring better ways to increase performance is reliant on innovative thinking and smart infrastructure investment. “Each of us is energized by the implementation of the latest engineering technologies, and manufacturing equipment,” Michael emphasizes. “And, naturally, we both surround ourselves with the best and brightest in our respective fields.”
The latest test for Meyer Shank Racing is imminent. Thanks, in part, to the support provided by Jason and CAP Fixtures – the team is primed and ready. “It’s great to be back here at IMS,” said Mike Shank. “It’s such a special place, and the atmosphere and fan support is next to none. We’ve had a great week of preparation, which bodes well. This race is a beast of its own, so we’ll try to maximize all of the practice sessions so we can be fully prepared come race day.”
Not surprisingly, the Meyer Shank Racing team is geared up for the challenge. Drivers… start your engines!