At the Brickyard Invitational: Who’s an “amateur?”

There's no doubt the star power of the SportsCar Vintage Racing Association's Brickyard Invitational centers on the appearance of top-flight professional drivers, especially the 33 Indianapolis 500 veterans entered in the "Indy Legends" Charity Pro-Am. Last year the event attracted two former winners of the "500" and several others who had victories in prestigious events such as the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring.

When it comes to the Pro-Am it's almost easy to forget that each of the legends has a partner – the alleged amateur. You might be surprised to learn about the credentials of some of these competitors.

In 2014, Indy Lights champion Alex Lloyd was partnered with Dave Roberts, a giant in the business world as the CEO of the Carlisle Company. Roberts also is a major racer at heart both as an owner and a guy who gets up on the wheel. Among his long list of credentials is being a part of the driving team that won the Baja 1000 Sportsman UTV class in 2010. He also co-owns with Nick Short (owner, CRP Racing) an Audi R8 in the Pirelli World Challenge. Mike Skeen, one of Roberts' co-drivers at Baja, pilots that car.

Roberts, through two of his Carlisle brands – DeVilbiss and Hawk Performance – is an associate sponsor of Team Penske. Hawk Performance boosted Juan Montoya's winning Indianapolis 500 effort just last month. Montoya, a friend of Roberts, drove one of the business executive's Corvettes at the Sebring SVRA meet in 2014. He had a blast until the differential failed late in the contest.

Roberts owns several vintage cars including 1985 Indy 500 pole winner Pancho Carter's 1978 Budweiser Lightning (TOP). His Pro-Am entry is a 1969 Camaro Z/28 modeled after one of Roger Penske's original Trans-Am cars. He has among his numerous experiences a drive up the renowned hill climb at the famous Goodwood Festival of Speed. Still, the SVRA's Brickyard Invitational is a dream come true for him.

"Tony Bettenhausen was my hero as a kid," Roberts says. "Just the chance to be on the track with one of these veterans, even the chance to pass one of them – it's amazing."

David "Garrett" Waddell is another long-time vintage racer with a stout resume. Among his accomplishments is an IMSA Camel GT class victory driving an aluminum head 1969 L88 Corvette at Texas World Speedway back in 1971. He currently races a prized 1963 Small Tank Z06 Coupe "Split Window" Corvette.

Last year he was partnered with five-time Indianapolis 500 starter John Martin. The rare car is such a gem Waddell has been invited to the famous Monterey Historics. One of his proudest moments is being asked to take part in the historic support race to the 1984 United States Grand Prix in Houston.

"The starting order was simply who showed up first and I happened to get the pole," Waddell says. "It was incredible experience. Bob Bondurant in a Lola T70 started beside me and the crowd was massive. The Ferrari mechanics asked to look under my hood. My car was first generation fuel injection technology. They wanted to see."

The Martin-Waddell combination did not make it to the starter's flag last year, the victim of a burned engine bearing during practice. The two hit it off though and hope for better luck teaming this year. They did spend enough time together for Waddell to come away extremely impressed with his partner. In addition to being a hard charger Martin is a highly skilled mechanic who got his start with Corvettes.

"John was in the garage the whole time," says Waddell. "He helped with suspension settings and tire pressure for both the road course and the oval. I was very impressed. He drove aggressively but responsibly. He made suggestions, not demands."

The 2014 driver combinations produced several lasting bonds beyond Waddell and Martin or Roberts and Lloyd. For example, Johnny Parsons Jr. will be back with Steve Cole who he partnered with last year and the winning combination of Al Unser Jr. and Peter Klutt had nothing but praise for each other. Dave Roberts, though, has perhaps made the biggest statement. He was so impressed with Alex he invited him to compete in other historic races and three Pirelli World Challenge events where he ran a second car.

As for winning the Pro-Am, both Waddell and Roberts consider themselves long shots against some higher horsepower entries. Still, they both enjoy testing themselves especially against the new measuring stick of someone who has been to the mountaintop.

Click on the thumbnails below for larger images.

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Here's a quick look at the Brickyard Invitational, especially what is on tap for tomorrow, Saturday, June 13.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the SVRA are producing what is already one of American vintage racing's premier events. Tomorrow, June 13, includes the feature event of the weekend – the Indy Legends Charity Pro-Am – scheduled for 1:35 p.m. The 40-minute contest features 33 veteran drivers of the Indianapolis 500. An hour-long fan walk along pit lane will precede the contest. Brickyard Invitational Grand Marshall and four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser Sr. will drive the pace car. Tom Sneva, the 1983 Indianapolis 500 champion, will serve as honorary starter and wave the green flag.

All of the SVRA's 11 groups of racecars spanning over 100 years of vintage machines will compete in features starting at 8 a.m. and continuing to 5:30 pm. The exciting array of entries include exquisite examples of select pre-war machines, classic sports cars, Formula 1 and Le Mans prototypes as current as 2009.

While the SVRA cars hit amazing speeds and demonstrate exciting displays of car control as they break traction in corners, the real treat for car buffs is the chance to roam the paddock capturing pictures. The drivers and owners continue to impress with approachability and knowledge. It is Instagram heaven. Race fans can enjoy every minute of the action by taking advantage of overnight camping inside the Speedway.

Famous oval cars will be on display in the Garage Area between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. A "Shine and Show" automobile display involving hundreds of cars from different clubs will also be presented on the golf course lakeside.

Saturday night will present a concert by the legendary Blood, Sweat & Tears band, complete with an informal banquet. During the banquet special trophies will be awarded to honor specific cars of the event for exceptional preservation and preparation. Among the awards will be the A.J. Watson Trophy and the Sir Jack Brabham Trophy that will be presented to the winner by Sir Jack's son, Geoff, who is one of the 33 Indianapolis 500 veterans competing in the Pro-Am.