Indianapolis, Indiana—Thursday, December 21, 2006
Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the shop
The Team Forsythe crew was working nonstop.
Ford-Cosworths were hung on engine stands with care
In hopes checkered flags soon would be there.
The Bridgestones were nestled
All snug in their racks
Ready for an all-out '07 attack.
Mechanics with their tools,
Engineers by their screens
Had just settled in
To tweak their machines.
When out on the lawn
There arose such a clatter,
I sprung from my desk
To see what was the matter.
When what with my eyes
Should I see from afar
But a sleek Panoz
DP-01 Champ Car!
With curves and wings
And angles so slick
I knew in a moment
It would be very quick.
Then, in a twinkling,
I heard out in the back
A sliding bay door
Open up with a crack.
As I drew in my head,
And was turning around,
Out the doors came the Forsythe crew with a bound.
They were all dressed in overalls, pressed with a crease
But not even tarnished in oil or grease.
They went to the car and caressed it with care;
Could a Vanderbilt Cup be hiding in there?
The crew -- how they grinned! Their smiles oh so merry;
The new car is magic - thanks Kevin, Paul and Jerry!
They spoke not a word but went straight to their work,
Rolled the car up the ramp - then one turned with a jerk,
And laying a finger on top of a switch,
The door down started down with nary a hitch.
He sprang through the door but then turned as he went,
And looked back at me, his eyes with a glint.
I heard him exclaim, as he went out of sight,
"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"