As a young boy, Paul Riley often could be found in the stands during practices for the Indianapolis 500, fascinated by the speed of the cars passing before him.  Now, as facilities manager for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Riley works to ensure that a new generation of blacks discovers the thrills of auto racing.  "This is a place where we come and enjoy sports," said Riley, 44. "Once you're exposed to it, you're hooked."

As the Speedway's facilities manager, Riley's job is to create a world-class facility.  Managing a full-time staff of 35, plus 25 part-time employees during race months, the former Speedway painter oversees everything from mowing to maintaining the garages in Gasoline Alley.  In addition to his day job, Riley is co-founder of www.aaim1.com, African-Americans in Motorsports.  The six-year old Web site provides information on blacks in racing, including a history of famous drivers and team owners.

"We knew there was this history, and we thought there should be a place where you could get that information, "he said.  "We're trying to reintroduce racing to blacks."  Although no blacks are currently driving IndyCars, Riley said he hopes to show children ways they can get involved in the sport, whether working as an engineer or a mechanic or even becoming a driver one day. On Saturday, African-Americans in Motorsports hosted 30 area children at the track, giving them a glimpse of life at the Speedway.

"We  bring in young black kids, 90 percent of whom have never set foot in the Speedway and have only seen it from the street," said the organization's webmaster and co-founder, Irvin Canady, 44, Indianapolis. Canady said he considers his longtime friend Riley a role model for children, but Riley is not one to draw attention to himself. Instead, he focuses on educating others about racing and prepping for the 500-Mile Race.  "It's been a long journey, but I love this place with a passion on race day," he said. "When you're standing on the starting grid on race day, you feel the electricity."

FAN FOR LIFE

Riley grew up near the track, and he remembers going to the Speedway as young child with family members.  He was enthralled from the beginning, he said.  The cars and the technology that allowed drivers to reach record speeds fascinated him, and he loved the accessibility of the drivers.  He said he also enjoyed the sense of community he felt at the racetrack, where old friends were reunited every year o share in the spectacle of racing. 

Riley started as a part-time employee in 1979, picking up  painting and even changing the windsock atop the old scoring pylon.  He was hired full time as a painter after that year's race and eventually was promoted to maintenance supervisor.  In 2001, he was named facilities manager. "I'm one of the guys," he said. "I'm someone in corporate who understands the other side of the coin."

As a boy attending practices and qualifications, Riley said, he never thought he'd make a living working at the famed racetrack. As he prepares for his 27th Indy 500 as a Speedway employee, he said he never plans to retire from his dream job. His days usually begin around 6 a.m., when he meets with his two maintenance supervisors, Frank Miles and Perry Mow. After a tour of the Speedway, he settles into his office in the administration building. "I know every nook and cranny of this place, and every problem that can come up has," he said.

The recent stretch of rain has caused lots of problems for Riley and his team, who now are rushing to get ready for Community Day and Carburetion Day this week, and ultimately the race on Sunday. Rain delayed painting and outside maintenance work, and
crews had to check buildings for leaks and make sure gravel roads and parking lots were passable. Mow, one of the maintenance supervisors, said Riley has handled it all in stride, mindful of the stress that such conditions and a hard deadline can put on his staff.
"He's in constant communication with us when things come  up, and he always knows what it's like to be in the public eye," said Mow, 57, Speedway.

D-DAY

As he prepares for Sunday's race--the day is marked "D-Day on his office calendar--his dedication to work means he doesn't have much time to spend with his wife, Marnita, and their six children. "My family knows this time of year that Daddy's not going to be home much," he said. Still, he said he considers long hours spent away from home a necessary sacrifice to do a job he loves. He said he hopes he can inspire more blacks to get involved in racing and believes that fan base will grow as more blacks succeed in motor sports. "You tend to gravitate toward things where you see yourself," he said. In he meantime, he's preparing his "home" for more than 400,000 visitors Sunday. "My phone's on 24/7 -- I'm never really off work," he said of the month of May. "This is my home. This is where I live. Even if I have a day off, I can't stay away.            
                                                                               By Rebecca Neal@Indystar.com       

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