62 Hours with TAG Heuer at the Indianapolis 500

      These days, Formula One is a hot topic, and rightly so. Often hailed as the pinnacle of motorsport, it has been a huge part of my identity for the last seven years. However, it's not the only racing series worthy of attention. Nestled in the heart of America is a key location in the sport: the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which has been hosting the Indianapolis 500 for 110 years—the greatest spectacle in motorsport. This race features 500 miles of high-speed racing, consisting of 200 laps, and is one of the three events that constitute the Triple Crown of Motorsport, a significant accomplishment for any driver. (Only Graham Hill has achieved this feat, winning the Indy 500, Monaco Grand Prix, and 24 Hours of Le Mans.) The 500 is where good drivers distinguish themselves from great ones, and I had the privilege of witnessing it firsthand.

      Last weekend, I spent about 62 hours in Indianapolis, immersing myself in the experience with TAG Heuer, the Official Timekeeper and Scorer of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES since 2004. In celebration of the 110th race and TAG's 21st year partnering with it, the Swiss watchmaker unveiled a limited-edition Formula 1 Solargraph x Indy 500 watch, with only 1,110 pieces produced, making it one of the year's most coveted timepieces, especially among motorsport enthusiasts like myself and the sold-out crowd of over 350,000 at the race. To commemorate the occasion, we enjoyed steak dinners, sipped Moët & Chandon champagne, explored (and even test-drove) watches, and observed some of the fastest cars in the world. Naturally, I included an Indiana Fever basketball game in my plans as well.

      **72 Hours at the Indy 500**

      ***May 22, 2026, 8:10 AM***

      I rose early on Friday morning, only to be met with numerous delays at LaGuardia Airport. The lines were long, and the delays seemed to stretch on forever. Fortunately, I had gotten my hair colored and styled by the talented Morgan Lee Cook the night before, ensuring I had a great hair day, which significantly lifted my spirits. The Delta Sky Club lounge also helped; I indulged in countless cappuccinos and managed to get a lot of work done. Airports tend to make me feel particularly productive. My initial 8:30 AM flight didn't leave until around 12:30 PM, but I refused to let it dampen my mood. By 2:30 PM, I had arrived in Indianapolis, greeted by a delightful mix of TAG Heuer marketing for the race along with ads for Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. Those who know me can attest that I eagerly snapped numerous photos.

      ***May 22, 2026, 6:12 PM***

      I had intended to meet my dad for lunch, who lives about an hour from Indianapolis, but the airport delays cut our time short before the game. Yes, I impulsively purchased a last-minute ticket to the Fever vs. Golden State Valkyries game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse as soon as I checked into my hotel, The Alexander. I quickly got ready before he picked me up, and we headed to Harry & Izzy's, a renowned local steakhouse, for martinis. The stadium was just a five-minute walk from the restaurant, so around 7:15 PM, I bid farewell to my dad and made my way through the drizzling rain to the game, pausing first at the team store to consider buying yet another Clark jersey. There’s a new Rebel version that caught my eye, but the line was too daunting, so I opted to find my seat instead.

      ***May 22, 2026, 7:32 PM***

      I made it just in time for tip-off. My seat was fantastic, right next to a long-time season-ticket holder who sold it to me. He knew everyone in the arena and cheered as loudly as I did when Aliyah Boston won the jump ball, passing it to Clark, who quickly began racking up assists. She recorded her first of nine assists by passing to Kelsey Mitchell, who executed a lovely finger roll layup to kick off the game. Monique Billings followed with a steal, which led to a two-point jump shot by Clark, a relatively new addition to her skill set. Moments later, she sank her first of four three-pointers, sending Gainbridge into a frenzy.

      Due to the timing of our welcome dinner at St. Elmo, one of my all-time favorite steakhouses, I couldn’t stay for the entire game. I left at halftime to walk to the restaurant, which was conveniently located next to Harry & Izzy's, making the five-minute trek a breeze. Sometimes, I appreciate the small-town feel; I never need to call an Uber.

      ***May