As Fonzworth Bentley, Jamie Little, Carlos Mencia and Al Unser Jr. filed into the press conference after the Toyota Pro/Celebrity qualifying round, someone pointed out that top celebrity qualifier Danny Way hadn’t arrived yet. “I think Danny’s skating home right now,” said Little, setting up Unser Jr.’s quip, “We can only hope.”
It was a little ridiculous, not just because Way lives in San Diego, which is a long board away, but because Unser Jr., a past winner of the real LB Grand Prix, obviously has nothing to fear from anyone, a fact he proved with the best qualifying time in the “pro” category, and overall. But Way, who’s traveled nearly 75mph on a skateboard before (this is true), is certainly looking like a lock to win the celebrity category, beating Keanu Reeves in the practice and qualifying rounds, and definitely bringing a competitor’s intensity to the event.
“I’m honored and excited to be a part of this,” he said after arriving at the press conference. “I came here to represent our [skating] community.” He referenced some of his friends who have competed in (and won) the event in the past. “They claim if I let them down they won’t respect me anymore,” said Way.
Unser Jr., on the other hand, is just kicking back and relaxing, and having a good time—two other racers said he smiled and waved at them as he passed them during qualifying. “This is the fun one, and the one to be in,” said Unser Jr. The competitive beast just comes out—racing is something I was born to do, and I love it, no matter if it’s snowmobiles or motorcycles or IndyCars, it doesn’t matter.”
When asked whether he thought he’d be able to catch Way, he smiled. “It’s the pro-celebrity race, and that’s what it is. I’m gonna ask Danny to go to dinner with me and I’ll try to feed him some shellfish or something.”
Way responded, “I think that’s the polite way of saying, ‘Yes I’ll catch him and I’ll kick his ass.”
There were two crashes on day one, the first in practice rounds involving Eric Close, Ken Baker and Mary Lynn Rajskub; during qualifying, Fonzworth Bentley turned onto Shoreline a little tight (“The curve happened, and it just kept happening,” he said after) and went nose-first into the tires.
The position for tomorrow’s 11:40am race are (in the pro category): Unser Jr., Johnny Benson, Tom Rudnai, Coy Gibbs, and Jamie Little (who won last year in the celeb category). In the celeb category, it’s Danny Way, Keanu Reeves, Fonzworth Bentley, Tim Daly, Ken Baker, Adrien Brody, Raven Symone, Carlos Mencia, Eric Close, Annamarie Dean, Alex Trebek, Doug Fregin, and Mary Lynn Rajskub.