Imagine spending a day racing alongside Pato O’Ward, one of the most electrifying drivers in IndyCar, at the legendary Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas. That’s exactly what his fans got to experience during an exclusive high-touch Track Day, perfectly designed to celebrate speed, and camaraderie.
After flying from Chicago to Austin, our team spent a couple days familiarizing ourselves with COTA and pulling together last-minute details. The scale of the venue is jaw-dropping. I finally understand the phrase “everything is bigger in Texas”.
Track Day itself began bright and early, with our team arriving on-site at 6:00 AM to ensure everything was ready before the first guests set foot at the track. From the sprawling paddock to the state-of-the-art hospitality suites, the space made an impression on every guest! By 7:00 AM, Great Hills Transportation had ferried guests from The W Austin, and excitement kicked into full gear.
Guests were greeted in the Paddock Loft with coffee, breakfast tacos from 80 Proof Catering, and thoughtfully curated gift bags. Meanwhile, activations by Topo Chico and Electrolit added a lively touch, with brand ambassadors handing out refreshments and swag that delighted guests—and staff! It’s always a bonus when the good vibes of an event extend back home, and those little takeaways left everyone smiling. Pato’s promotion team (Wannmillion and Thomas Gruber) captured incredible photo and video of all of the happenings.
Guests transitioned to a safety briefing led by the experts at Longhorn Racing Academy. From seasoned drivers to those stepping onto a professional track for the first time, everyone was prepped for an exhilarating day.
One of the day’s highlights? Pato himself taking part in hot laps – racing his VIP guests around the track. All of the drivers went fast, but watching Pato expertly navigate the circuit gave everyone a renewed appreciation for his skill and love of the sport. When guests weren’t racing, they enjoyed unique brand activations, a delicious lunch buffet back at the Paddock Loft, again expertly handled by 80 Proof Catering, or just marveling at the opportunity to be on the world-famous COTA track.
Later in the day, the action shifted to the Karting area where guests tried their hand at a more playful version of racing. We closed out the afternoon with a few more laps on COTA’s main track before it was time to shut it all down and celebrate a successful day.
Our hilarious mission just days before the event…find a mannequin to display Pato’s uniform and helmet! This provided the events team with endless chuckles as we fought to keep him from blowing over!
Reflecting on the role Five Grain played, planning an event of this scale required precision and endless communication to ensure no detail was missed. With cars shipped in from across the country and a packed schedule to execute, the Five Grain team made sure every moment—from the safety briefings to the final lap—was perfectly curated. The result? A day so smooth and enjoyable that it left Pato saying, “…thank you for everything. You and your team were AMAZING. I think it went so smooth and I loved working with all of you. Everyone is head over heels with how the day went. I’d love to have you part of our team again for all future events.”
Just days after the successful Track Day, Pato shared another incredible career milestone—his appointment as McLaren’s reserve driver for the 2024 Formula One season!
This was more than just a track day; it was a celebration of speed, passion, and connection, with every detail fine-tuned to perfection. Here’s to many more laps around the track with Pato and his team!
