In a US Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon
source:
irl.racing-live.com
IndyCar, NASCAR and GrandAm team owner Chip Ganassi
got the ride of a lifetime today in a US Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon. Flying
with Colonel Pat Shay, Ganassi described the experience as, "Awesome. It was
better than I could have ever imagined. I'm proud and honored to have flown with
Colonel Shay."
Air Force Academy Graduate and current reservist, Colonel Shay was taking his
last flight in an F-16 before departing for a four month tour of active duty in
Iraq.
Upon returning from Iraq where his assignment is currently classified, the 1988
Air Force "Top Gun" award winner will retire from military service.
Colonel Shay will then return to his job as a pilot for an American commercial
airliner.
The duo of Ganassi and Shay took an hour long ride over the Grand Canyon,
Phoenix International Raceway and the Tucson area.
Back on the ground his father, Floyd Ganassi, and IndyCar driver Ryan Briscoe
got to experience the F-16 simulator.