IndyCar's Ryan Briscoe looks forward to IndyFest

MILWAUKEE -- Ryan Briscoe is one of the world's fastest Packers fans, and he is thinking full speed ahead for the team and for himself.

Briscoe says racing is his life, and the Australian native started go-karting back in 1993, and open wheel racing in 2005. His first career IndyCar win came at the Milwaukee Mile in 2008, but that's just part of why racing is his life.

Briscoe is married to the former Nicole Manske, and ESPN NASCAR personality who was born in Wausau and grew up in the Rockford area.

"It's also good having the person who is closest to me also having a great understanding of what racing is about, and what my career means," Briscoe said.

NASCAR drivers and most racers have long been accessible to their sponsors and fans, and nowadays, Briscoe spends a lot of time on social media.

"It's about being in the public eye and reaching out to fans and bringing fans to the races, and so on. You can't live in a cave and expect stuff to happen for you. You need to do your part," Briscoe said.

Having grown fond of the area through his wife's family, Briscoe is particularly willing to do what he can to boost interest in the Milwaukee IndyFest, scheduled for Father's Day weekend at the Milwaukee Mile.

"Milwaukee is a race that we all want to have on the calendar. It's a great track and it's a great demographic as well. We love coming here and we love the fans that come out to the race. There's so much tradition connected between IndyCar racing and Milwaukee. It's always been there, and we don't want that to go away," Briscoe said.

Speaking of tradition, Briscoe is a big-time fan of the Green Bay Packers, and he uses his world to sum up the disappointment of last year's early playoff ticket.

"That's the tough thing with football in the playoffs. It's kind of like the Indy 500. You have all this buildup, but you've got to perform on the day, and unfortunately the Giants did a better job on that day," Briscoe said.

Briscoe believes the Packers can beat everyone else in the NFL to the finish line in the upcoming season, but following football is merely a diversion for someone who lives his life in the fast lane.

Before getting to Milwaukee for the race on Father's Day weekend, Briscoe will compete in the Indianapolis 500 - the biggest event in his sport, on Sunday, May 20th.

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