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    Parking Lot Race

    Racing around the Astrodome: Indy car winner thrilled by Houston Grand Prix's unusual course

    Clifford Pugh
    Oct 2, 2013 | 2:02 pm

    As a kid growing up in a California sports-crazy family, Charlie Kimball heard tales of the Astrodome, home of the famed "Battle of the Sexes" tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, and other iconic sports events in the world's first indoor stadium.

    Now, he's going to be racing around it at speeds up to 180 miles per hour — and he can't wait.

    "It kind of blows my mind to be able to set up a race course big enough for us in a parking lot."

    Fresh from his first-ever IndyCar win, Kimball will be behind the wheel for the Shell Pennzoil Grand Prix of Houston this weekend, driving around the 1.7 mile track that winds around Reliant Park in separate races, dubbed the "H-Town Double Down," on Saturday and Sunday.

    "Coming to a new venue, to race in the streets of Houston and around the iconic elements of Reliant Park, is fantastic," Kimball said recently while in town to promote the races. "It kind of blows my mind to be able to set up a race course big enough for us in a parking lot."

    The 28-year-old Kimball has faced some challenges others drivers haven't. Six years ago he was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes and thought it might be the end of his racing career. But he came back stronger than ever.

    "I think I'm a better athlete because of diabetes rather than despite it," he said. "Yes, it's an additional element the other drivers don't have to think about. But it forces me to be better prepared physically and therefore mentally for competition."

    Here are some excerpts from our conversation:

    CultureMap: What's the best thing about racing?

    Charlie Kimball: I love the speed and I love the the opportunity to be better than everyone else on that day in that moment. Once you've done that no one can take that away from you. It's very raw. There's not a lot of complication to it. Two guys head to head, you beat 'em, you're better.

    CM: What did it feel like to win the mid-Ohio Indy race in August?

    CK: It's still sinking in. Now people say, "Charlie Kimball, Indy race car winner." It makes me stop because it is such a great feeling. It was such a great day for the team. To see their enthusiasm and excitement was pretty neat.

    CM: What did you do to celebrate?

    CK: Just had dinner with five or six friends at a foodie restaurant in Indianapolis. When I was in Indy Lights (a racing series for up-and-comers), we had a saying, "Winner, winner, chicken dinner." We always celebrated all of our victories as a group. I've tried to continue that tradition as much as possible with celebratory dinners with friends because, while I hope it's not the last (win), you only ever have one first, so you need to remember it.

    "I think I'm a better athlete because of diabetes rather than despite it."

    CM: What was your reaction when you were diagnosed with diabetes?

    CK: I was worried. I asked the doctor if I would ever drive again. He looked me in the eye and said, "There are people doing amazing things all over the world with diabetes. Driving a race car shouldn't be any different. You may have to make some adjustments, but it shouldn't slow you down."

    CM: How long did it take for you to feel comfortable racing again?

    CK: My first race was six months later, I placed second. To do that well initially was incredible. As far as being comfortable with (diabetes) management, it's always a learning process. I think the day I stop learning is the day I fall behind.

    CM: What words would you use to describe what it's like to be behind the wheel of a race car?

    CK: "Restrained ferocity" because when you're driving, it's this raw, aggressive emotion of competition and yet it has to be restrained within the parameters of the race track, the time, the weather and all these things. It's almost like having a lion on a leash. You're just kind of holding on and doing everything you can not to get bitten, but at the same time to walk your lion. It's this interesting contrast.

    CM: How to you feel about racing around the Astrodome?

    CK: Race tracks always have an iconic piece to make them special. At Long Beach, it's the fountain by the aquarium, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway it's the Yard of Bricks, at Sonoma it's the carousel down the hill. Certain racetracks all have a character. In Baltimore, the street race ran around Camden Yard.

    To be able to race around the Astrodome, to me, it adds that element of sporting history to our event. It's going to be really cool.

    The Shell Pennzoil Grand Prix of Houston starts Friday with activities, including race preparation and a concert by Creedence Clearwater Revisited, and races Saturday and Sunday. Details are available on the Grand Prix website.

    Charlie Kimball celebrates his win in August in Lexington, Ohio.

    Charlie Kimball race car driver September 2013
      
    Photo by © Maria W. Grady LAT Photo USA
    Charlie Kimball celebrates his win in August in Lexington, Ohio.
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    news/sports

    pucker up

    Growing pickleball franchise smashes into Houston with 2 locations

    Jef Rouner
    Apr 29, 2025 | 5:30 pm
    Two men play pickleball on a Picklr court.
    Photo courtesy of The Picklr
    A Picklr court campus similar to the ones soon to open in Houston.

    Pickleball is one of the hottest sports sweeping the nation, and one of the biggest names in the game is setting up two new facilities in Houston. Picklr is scheduled to open indoor sports campuses in Cypress and The Woodlands in the coming months.

    “Bringing a pickleball facility to Cypress will not only provide a fun and engaging recreational outlet for residents of all ages, but will also foster a sense of community and promote a healthy and active lifestyle,” said Steve Nguyen, owner of The Picklr Cypress.“This facility will serve as a vibrant hub for social interaction, skill development, and friendly/competitive competition, enhancing community bonds and offering a welcoming space for everyone to enjoy.”

    Although the game is approximately 60 years old, pickleball saw a massive spike in popularity following the pandemic when people were looking for fun group activities with easy points of entry. Though a racket sport like tennis, it is far easier and slower thanks to using perforated balls, smaller courts, and lighter paddles. This means the game is open to players of all ages, and was originally most popular with retirees. Now, there are roughly 5 million players across America, with players under 24 making up the majority. Houston even has its own professional team, the Hammers (not the Texas Hammer; that's this guy).

    The court in Cypress will be located in the old ASI Gymnastics building at 8920 Barker Cypress. It's a relatively modest facility with only six courts including a practice court. By contrast, The Woodlands location will be much more opulent. At 66,517 square feet, it will have 20 courts, 4 private event spaces (one with an exclusive viewing area), as well as a shower, changing room, dry bar, and kitchenette. Picklr The Woodlands will be located at 16590 Interstate I-45 South.

    These locations are the first for Picklr in Houston. They have twelve locations all throughout Texas, including in Round Rock and McKinney, and many more nationwide. Picklr locations operate on a membership model similar to a gym. Memberships run $159 a month for adults and $89 for minors, with unlimited access to open play, league play, and tournaments , as well as four free clinics a month. Additional coaching is available.

    There is currently no set opening date for the two Houston-area Picklrs. Players interested in learning more may sign up for updates at ThePicklr.com.

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