danielincandela.com

I’m using Thanksgiving Day to give a cheers to The Guardian newspaper across the Atlantic ocean for providing me with years of, well, news. But news with incredibly accuracy, integrity and brilliant sarcasm, especially when digitally flipping through the The Guardian Football section – superbly written coverage with personality, sass, wit and desert dry humor. Thank you.

Like a British postcard - a pint, taxi and The Guardian (sitting in Covent Garden a couple of years ago).

A couple of years ago, I was quoted in a Guardian story about ArtBabble – and although I was pretty proud of that, I was more honored to have made it into The Guardian (because it features the Football section I had come to adore). I’ve been loyally following their coverage for a good 10 years now.

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Filed under: The Beautiful Game by Daniel
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My father, Sal Incandela passed away on October 3.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Donald Davidson kindly wrote this piece on him. So did others, including Racer, SPEEDTV, AutoWeek, blogs and many more. It has meant the world to me and my family. The emails, texts, phone calls and every thought and prayer have been overwhelmingly touching. So a big thank you to everyone that has been there for all of us.

A thank you really doesn’t suffice – you’ve been wonderful.

There will be an Indianapolis Memorial for Sal on Saturday, November 5th from 3-5. It will be held at the Brickyard Crossing Golf and Conference Center: 4400 W. 16th st. Indianapolis In 46222. Click here for Google Maps. You’re invited.

Please join us in celebrating my Dad’s life, your friend’s life. And if anything, please stop by to give my Mum a hug. She loves a good hug.

There will be laughter, tears and lots of stories shared. I hope to hear some from you.

A young whippersnapper - McLaren at Hockenheim

 11/2: Some more details since my original post -

• All are welcome
• Dress comfortably/respectfully, we don’t want this to be an overly formal affair
• Hunter Floyd will deliver the memorial service
• Donald Davidson will speak about my father’s career
• Members of the family will also speak
• We will encourage others to share their stories
• Lots of photos from my dad’s career and some embarrassing family pics
• Cash bar and some food
• Time to mingle

Catching him in action

Filed under: Dad, Motorsports by Daniel
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The reason I’m in Japan is because of the race at Twin Ring Motegi, so I’d be in contempt if I didn’t at least mention it.

Growing up, some of my favorite drivers were Japanese. And when my parents owned a race team in the 1990′s, they had a couple of Japanese drivers race for them – Hideki Noda and Shigeaki Hattori – both of which won in Indy Lights. So let’s just say I’ve always had a soft spot for Japanese drivers.

Of course, it’s an honor to actually come here as a professional and experience this event first hand. My role for this race is part web support and part photographic support. And I’ve taken a good number of pics, including the one below. It’s quickly become a favorite of mine.

Happy fan

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Filed under: Japan, Motorsports by Daniel
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I worked at an art museum. Now I work at a race track and for a racing series. They seem very opposite and I catch people off guard when I reveal anything about my career. There are many differences. There are many similarities. But all in all, it’s incredibly different.

I loved my time in the museum field. I will always look back with fond memories and understand that it was a critical period of my professional life. It was a time to make mistakes, learn, take risks and importantly, deliver success. But I don’t miss it. I left at the perfect time.

Before I left I got to present in New Zealand

There are considerable differences between the museum field and the for-profit racing industry. In my current role, ‘more’ comes to mind. More projects, more content, more deadlines, more expectations, more opportunities and so on. These are all good challenges. I’m in a smaller team but with more resources. More/larger departments to interact with, across more companies and stakeholders, more collaborative relationships with drivers, teams, race tracks and sponsors. More. In fact, I’ve never seen so much content in my life. Speed comes to mind too – which is an obvious parallel to draw, but it’s true. Everything happens in a New York Minute. In the museum field, I remember working with exhibition calendars planned 3 years out. In racing, we have that kind of planning, but there’s also intermediate, current, pressing and last minute schedules. It’s an amazing juggling act that is sometimes smooth as glass and sometimes rough as sandpaper.And when you work online, you have to respond instantly. I’ve never worked so many hours in my life, or been awake and such strange times. I’ve slept with my laptop countless times, sat in a million meetings, traveled at the drop of a hat, over committed, barely hit (and missed) deadlines, consumed lots of energy drinks and so on.

You can catch me in the mirror

The bigger the challenge the greater the reward. That’s what I love about this job. As a museum professional, I felt a similar objective – be the best, be innovative, develop projects that would change the field, be immensely proud. I did all of these things. Which is why I can look back with no regrets. It was an incredible career.

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Filed under: Random by Daniel
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The first 5 months of 2011 have been relentless. It feels like early June has been the first time I’ve been able to catch my breath, both personally and professionally. Personally, I’ve concentrated on being home, making my son laugh and eating lots of dessert. Professionally, it’s been a combination of reflection and planning. It’s analysis of what has worked, what hasn’t and what needs more attention. It’s recognizing opportunities, potential for growth, and making decisions. It’s the natural evolution of a job, the building of a career. As I realize I’m in mid-career now, I understand this process repeats.

A snapshot of my current job

And that’s where I am right now.

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Filed under: Random by Daniel
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