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27-year-old Santino Ferrucci has only finished on the podium three times in his IndyCar career, which spans 77 races. So when he surprised everybody and finished third in Sunday’s race at Road America, he wasn’t going to pass up the chance to celebrate.
Ferrucci, who stretched his fuel to the last drop to hold off competitor Kyle Kirkwood for the final podium spot, pulled over just before Turn 1 as he ran out of gas after taking the checkered flag. After climbing out of his car in the extreme heat, a fan tossed him a bottle of water.
Unfortunately, the cap fell of the bottom while it was in the air. So Ferrucci then turned back to the fans, who promptly threw him a can of beer. And, as any red-blooded American man would do, he proceeded to absolutely pound the beer in celebratory fashion.
Ferrucci then revealed in his postrace interview that he’d asked the fans for a Spotted Cow — a highly regarded beer from New Glarus Brewing Company in Wisconsin, where the race took place — but instead had to make do with a Miller Lite.
Ferrucci, a Connecticut native, is a highly divisive driver. He began his career in Europe, working his way up through the Formula 1 feeder system. But several incidents, both on and off track, derailed his chances of ever making it to the top series.
“I don’t know that I like to say I like to be in the middle of the drama,” Ferrucci said prior to this year’s Indianapolis 500. “I have my own opinions, and I am very much who I am as an individual. Staying true to myself is something that is important – important for me and the series.”
Ferrucci has, slowly but surely, worked to improve his image while in IndyCar. For some fans, his celebration at Road America will only help that. For others, it’ll reaffirm their views on him. But one thing is certain, it was definitely a one-of-a-kind way to celebrate.