IMSA: Thanksgiving dinner around the paddock

It’s officially the offseason – a time when racing takes a break and fans must patiently wait for the excitement of the upcoming year. However, the offseason also means it’s the holiday season! A time to spend with family and celebrate the joys of the past year.

For Thanksgiving, IMSA reminisces on a fantastic year of racing and competition, but of course, there’s always the food.  Let’s check in on what our drivers plan to gobble down throughout the day…

Tom Long, Mazda Motorsports: “I love them, but pumpkin bread & eggnog are both on the “DO NOT TOUCH” list this holiday season, although hot apple cider would hit the spot and be okay. With winter training in preparation for the upcoming season and Rolex 24 around the corner in our new Mazda RT24-P, I’m definitely trying to stay focused on eating right.  A few cheats every now and again is okay, but self-control can be a hard thing with all those tasty treats the holidays have to offer!”

Liam Dwyer, Freedom Autosport: “Honey Ham and caramelized sweet potatoes glazed in brown sugar, Pumpkin pie with whip cream for dessert, all washed down with some apple pie moonshine! I just need to figure out how to shed all that weight before the next race…”

Katherine Legge, Michael Shank Racing: “Vegan style! Tofurkey, roasted veggies, brussel sprouts and gravy!”

Dane Cameron, Action Express Racing: “My mom makes a dish called Pavlova every holiday. Pavlova is a meringue-based dessert that is most of the time topped with fruit. It’s mostly associated with summer, but it’s typically served year round in New Zealand and Australia. I’d share the secret Cameron family recipe, but then I’d need to make you disappear, so maybe just try this one!”

3 egg whites, 1/3 cup super fine sugar, 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar, 1 tablespoon boiling water, 2 cups heavy whipping cream, 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 2 cups sliced fruit.

1. Preheat oven to 475 degrees F (245 degrees C). Cover a baking sheet with foil, and spray lightly with cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, beat the egg whites to form stiff peaks. Add white sugar slowly, and continue beating. When egg whites are very stiff, add vinegar and boiling water. Continue beating until glossy surface is beginning to fade, and mixture is very stiff. Pile meringue onto prepared baking sheet. Shape into a circle 1 1/2 inches thick. Form a slight dip in the center, and make the sides slightly higher.
3. Place meringue in the oven, shut the door, and turn the heat off. Leave in the oven for one hour. Check the texture of the meringue; it should be hard with no soft spots. If soft in the center, heat oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Place meringue back into the oven, and turn off the heat. Cool when done. Transfer onto a serving platter.Whip the cream until just stiff. Beat in vanilla and confectioners' sugar. Pile the whipped cream onto the meringue. Arrange the fruit on top of the whipped cream, and serve.

Daniel Burkett, CJ Wilson Racing: “Maple wood smoked bacon drizzled with maple syrup, with maple wood chopped by yours truly! Canadian thanksgiving is in October, and I'm actually more of a stuffing guy – that bowl won't make it around the table for seconds at our house. I must say, for y'all Americans, the Scottsdale Track Day Turkey run is a great way to burn off your favorite turkey (or maple bacon) coma.”

Bryan Sellers, Paul Miller Racing: “Thanksgiving is always a great time with the family. My favorite dish? Ooh, that definitely is green bean casserole.”

Guy Cosmo, Automatic Racing: “I turn into a piggy during Thanksgiving. Of course the turkey & cranberry sauce go without saying, but I’m all about the stuffing (with sausage) and whipped sweet potatoes – with marshmallows on top!”

Matt Dicken, Strategic Wealth Racing: “I’m pretty simple.  I fill up on turkey and stovetop stuffing, finishing it all off with a little bit of candied yams!”

Ted Giovanis, TeamTGM: “I can either go the traditional route with turkey, stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce – or the non-traditional route, and have tacos.”

Tyler Cooke, Bimmerworld Racing: “I love the big get-together with family so much, you get to have laughs, enjoy each other and just put work off for the night. Food-wise, I’m always a big fan of turkey, it really helps you go to bed at night – I believe the best night of sleep you’ll get is after Thanksgiving turkey. I’m a big fan of holiday ham as well. My sister and my mom make a really good stuffing, and they’re obsessed with it. Stuffing isn’t my favorite dish, but theirs is special, because they usually work from Thanksgiving morning to the afternoon on it.”

Joel Miller, Mazda Motorsports: "Pumpkin pie is my all-time favorite. Honey baked ham for the main course. Oh man, I’m getting hungry just talking about it!”

We are too, Joel.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!