Veterans in INDYCAR: Mark Easley
Throughout the 2023 INDYCAR season we’re highlighting veterans who work within the racing series, whether for Chip Ganassi Racing, INDYCAR, racing venues or other racing teams.
This week we’re highlighting Mark Easley, who is responsible for getting various facets of INDYCAR’s operations to the host facility by truck on race weekends. He provided the transport for timing and scoring equipment last year; this year it’s been the fueling supplies.
Easley, who served in the U.S. Air Force from 1983 to 1987, spoke with American Legion Social Media Manager Steven B. Brooks about his initial attempt to not go into the racing workforce, how much being in the Air Force helps him in his career, and what it means to see INDYCAR supporting veterans.
Steven Brooks: How did you get connected with racing?
Mark Easley: I joined the Air Force to get away from racing. Obviously it didn’t work. When I grew up my buddies were always into racing … Formula 4, midgets, sprints, back in Southern California. I got to a point where I’m looking to the future and saw there was no future, really, in being a mechanic in this. There wasn’t much money in it. When I was in the Air Force stationed in Fort Worth … I ran into (three-time Indy 500 champ) Johnny Rutherford. Immediately started talking to him. He was one of my heroes. He convinced me in the big leagues you can make it a career. (After the Air Force) I still tried to avoid racing. Did aviation for a while, building airplanes for McDonnell Douglas. When Boeing bought them out, they let us all go. And then my buddy in (then-CART racing) called me up and wanted to know if I was interested in going to Patrick Racing. I did, and I’ve been in racing ever since.
Question: So then how did you end up with INDYCAR?
Easley: The manager for INDYCAR transportation at the time, I’d known him for years, he contacted me and said they had a position open. And it’s been a little over two years that I’ve been with INDYCAR.
Question: What did you learn during your time in the Air Force that can still be used in your day-to-day life?
Easley: Definitely working with other people. You don’t have to like people to work as a team. Working with different personalities. But basically, the teamwork is very strong in both (the Air Force and INDYCAR). Camaraderie. The way you work under stress. It’s not the same type of stress, but there’s a lot of stress involved in INDYCAR. Making sure everything’s right in a hurry. And you’re responsible for a lot. If you don’t do your job right, it affects other people down the road very significantly. The planning. The logistics. I’m really glad I was in the Air Force because all of that applies here.
Question: You’ve mentioned you’ve dealt with is post-traumatic stress disorder. The American Legion’s Be the One initiative, which aims to destigmatize asking for mental health help, has been prominently shared through the INDYCAR season. How does it make you feel INDYCAR has made The American Legion an official charity and has made that mental health and Be the One message a priority in sharing this year?
Easley: It’s amazing. And it makes me feel appreciative. Once you leave (the military), you have all this stuff, and they don’t tell you how to deal with it or where to go. I was in a time period when there were no active engagements anywhere. I was in the middle of the Cold War, so there weren’t as many resources or people reaching out to you then. But to have it now so close … it feels like it’s next door. I’ve never been in an organization that supports veterans like (INDYCAR) does. It feels like somebody’s got your back now.