VEACH: The long winter...and what could be a long year

To everyone who has braved the cold in the northern parts of the world like me this past winter, I hope this finds you well. To everyone else in the warmer places, I'm sure many of us would agree that we are very jealous! On a bright side, we're less than a week away from the Verizon IndyCar season opener at St. Petersburg.

This past off-season has felt incredibly long not only from it being a time period of seven months, but for the rollercoaster that its been for myself. There have been a lot of highs and lows as we've gone through the weeks, but the most important thing has just been staying positive. Working as hard as we can to keep the ball rolling and make something happen for this year and the future.

The biggest limiting factor for me over the months has been securing the funding to test and to make the big and final step up that it is from Indy Lights to IndyCar. I've been incredibly lucky to be partnered with RePlay XD, the Young Marines, and ADS It Solutions in the past and I greatly thank them all for their support along my journey thus far. As it is meant to be, each step up the ladder gets harder and teaches you a new lesson for the future. You have to be constantly evolving, and changing before you have to. We were very close to pulling something together a few times, but just couldn't knit the final details together to complete the deal.

Unfortunately, with a heavy heart, I don't believe that I will be competing at St. Pete this year, but I will be spectating the sport I love. As well as helping out with the two-seaters and pace cars to stay busy driving something.

My goal for this year is to just keep working on what we have and make new connections to possibly piece together a partial 2015 season and build a strong 2016 effort. I would especially love to be able to take part in the big race at the end of May this year.

The whole situation may be tough, but it hasn't hurt my motivation or determination at all. If anything, it's heightened them. Pushing over the winter with PitFit Training I was able to put on 15lbs of muscle mass and repeat the mental work that helped me so much in 2014. A day out of the car isn't wasted if it's spent preparing for the day that you are. Until I get my opportunity, I'll keep working as hard as I can to be ready for my chance. Last year I was able to transform my body and driving skills to the level I needed to win races and fight for a championship. This year I will work in a different way to prove to a sponsor that I have the abilities and skills to offer them the return on investment they are seeking by partnering with me.

I won't lie, this isn't a fun place to be in, but whining about it isn't going to fix it. Instead of focusing on the problem, you have to look for the solution. I believe that's what we're doing. I'm very fortunate that I still have the opportunity to be at all the races this year and have teams interested in me driving for them. I may not be in a suit for the first few events but if you see me at the track, please come up and say hi! I'll be sitting somewhere cheering on my friends I grew up with.

Zach