For the last 12 years, Glenn O`Connor has left his regular job during much of May to work on a pit crew at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The last three years, O`Connor has joined full-time mechanics and other part-timers to prepare veteran driver Johnny Rutherford`s car for the fabled Indy 500.
”You need a break now and then, a total break,” said O`Connor, who works other races besides Indy. ”I find working with a pit crew a nice, relaxing thing to do.”
A total break indeed. Even his wardrobe–colorful caps and short-sleeved shirts bedecked with decals from sparkplug, tire and shock-absorber manufacturers–is a big change from the clothes he wears the rest of the year: a white collar and a lot of black.
From June through April, O`Connor is better known as Rev. Glenn O`Connor, the spiritual leader of a 600-family congregation at St. Philip Neri Roman Catholic Church in Indianapolis.
”The priesthood is demanding,” Father O`Connor said. ”The busier you are at the parish, the more you feel you need to take a real healthy break. Racing is so different. It is really a clean break.
”I leave town for three or four days, and I never really know what`s in store. It sometimes makes it hell on Monday morning when I get back, but I don`t think a person can get any better experience.”
Crew member Wayne Sladin recalled his early experiences with Father O`Connor.
”It took a month before I knew he was a priest,” Sladen said. ”I met him a couple times at the shop, and I liked him a lot. After the races, he would go out with the rest of the crew and have a beer or two with the guys. When I found out he was a priest, I couldn`t believe it.
”He`s a great guy, a normal human being. Glenn is human–believe me when I tell you. He fits in wherever he goes. Nobody ever watches what they say around him. There is no special treatment. I don`t think he`d want it.”
”I never expect to be treated differently,” Father O`Connor said. ”I go out with the other crew members, and most of us are pretty close.”
Father O`Connor, 34, got involved with auto racing when a mutual friend, Joe Flynn, introduced him to driver Eldon Rasmussen. His first Indy 500 was in 1975. He has changed tires, refueled cars and handled various other pit-crew tasks.
Now, his duties are confined to helping set up the pits, checking tires for cuts and getting new tires ready for pit stops.
”I enjoy all of it,” he said. ”You develop some real friendships over the years.”
Father O`Connor believes most people in his parish accept his avocation.
”A lot of them are kind of excited about it,” he said. ”They find out I`m with Rutherford, and they become fans of his. You need all the help you can get.”
Father O`Connor says his superior, Archbishop Edward O`Meara of Indianapolis, is quite understanding and helpful. The priest is able to get a substitute to take over his duties while he`s in the pits.
”Some people are so sympathetic,” Father O`Connor said. ”Lots of the parishioners don`t mind waiting until the end of May to conduct their meetings or other things.”
And the drivers and other pit-crew members?
”There has never been a problem with acceptance,” he said. ”You`re out there to do a job. Whether you`re a priest or not makes no difference.
”Occasionally, someone new gets to the crew and is surprised at what I do. They say, `Wow, I guess priests are human beings, too.` Priests tend to be associated only with church. That`s all people think they do.
”Lots of people have never met a priest outside of church. Initially, they don`t know how to react. I just want to be one of the guys most of the time, but there are times when I can be serious with some of them who share my beliefs.”
How long will he stay with racing?
”As long as it`s fun,” Father O`Connor said. ”Right now, I appreciate it more than I did a few years ago. From something that started out as just a weekend of fun, this turned out to be a real good thing.”
