One of the most memorable moments of my life,” NFL legend Tom Brady revealed a “spine-chilling” moment experiencing the Indy 500 at the very moment the IndyCar era exploded, and shocked the entire racing community by declaring his readiness to invest his entire fortune in his own racing team in the future, opening up an unprecedentedly crazy dream!
In a recent appearance during an NFL broadcast, NFL icon Tom Brady opened up about an experience that has stayed with him long after the checkered flag fell. Reflecting on his time at the Indianapolis 500, Brady described the ride as “one of the most memorable moments of my life” and admitted it was “one of the scariest things I’ve ever done.” The seven-time Super Bowl champion was not behind the wheel but strapped into the passenger seat of a high-performance two-seater IndyCar, driven by his friend and seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson.
The ride took place during the pre-race festivities of the 109th Indianapolis 500 in May 2025, a moment that coincided with Fox Sports’ heightened promotion of IndyCar and a sense of renewal in the open-wheel racing series.
Brady, now a lead analyst for Fox NFL coverage, has increasingly crossed over into the world of motorsports. His involvement began gaining traction through collaborations with Johnson, who transitioned from a legendary NASCAR career to competing in IndyCar with Chip Ganassi Racing before becoming a team owner himself. During the ride, the duo hit speeds approaching 200 mph around the iconic 2.5-mile oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Brady recounted the adrenaline rush vividly, calling it “absolutely electric” and likening himself to “a kid” overwhelmed by the intensity.
The sheer power of the car, the roar of the engine, and the blurring speed left an indelible mark on the football legend, who has faced pressure-packed moments in Super Bowls but found this experience uniquely terrifying and exhilarating.
The Indianapolis 500, often dubbed “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” has long attracted celebrities and athletes from other sports, but Brady’s participation carried extra weight due to his status as one of the most accomplished figures in American sports history. Riding with Johnson, a driver with deep roots in both NASCAR and IndyCar, added a layer of crossover appeal that Fox leveraged in its broadcasts. The promo aired during NFL games highlighted the thrill, drawing parallels between the precision and courage required in both football and high-speed racing.
Brady’s reaction—wide-eyed excitement mixed with genuine fear—resonated with viewers, humanizing the larger-than-life quarterback and showcasing his passion for new challenges post-retirement.
What truly sent shockwaves through the racing community, however, was Brady’s bold statement about his future ambitions in motorsports. In the same conversation, he expressed a willingness to commit his vast fortune to building and owning his own racing team. While details remain speculative, the declaration hinted at a serious pivot toward team ownership in IndyCar or a related series. Brady’s net worth, bolstered by his playing career, endorsements, investments in ventures like his NFT platform Autograph, and stakes in various sports properties, positions him uniquely to make such a move.
He has already dipped his toes into ownership waters, including minority stakes in teams and partnerships tied to motorsports figures.
This announcement comes at a pivotal time for IndyCar. The series has been experiencing renewed interest, partly fueled by television deals with Fox and efforts to attract bigger names and broader audiences. The 2025 Indy 500 featured strong attendance and competitive racing, with discussions around expanding entries and enhancing the spectacle. Rumors had circulated earlier in 2025 about Brady and Johnson potentially co-owning an entry with Chip Ganassi Racing for the race, though that materialized more as a promotional and experiential collaboration rather than full ownership at the time.
Johnson, now majority owner of NASCAR’s Legacy Motor Club, has spoken about exploring opportunities with Brady, including possible joint ventures in open-wheel racing.
Brady’s interest is not entirely out of left field. He has attended races, engaged with drivers, and even participated in promotional events tied to IndyCar. His friendship with Johnson has been a key bridge, with the two sharing stories of competition, pressure, and legacy-building. Johnson’s own journey—winning seven NASCAR titles before tackling IndyCar and now owning a team—serves as inspiration. Brady has praised the skill and bravery of IndyCar drivers, noting how the sport demands split-second decisions under extreme conditions, much like quarterbacking in the final minutes of a close game.
The racing world reacted with a mix of excitement and skepticism to Brady’s comments. Fans and analysts see the potential for massive growth if a figure of his stature invests heavily. His star power could bring new sponsors, media attention, and younger audiences to IndyCar, which has worked to modernize its image amid competition from NASCAR and Formula 1’s U.S. expansion. Critics, however, point to the high costs and risks of team ownership in open-wheel racing, where even established outfits face financial pressures.
Building a competitive team from scratch would require significant capital, technical expertise, and partnerships with engine suppliers like Honda or Chevrolet.
Despite the challenges, Brady’s declaration feels like more than idle talk. His post-football life has been marked by bold moves—investing in biotech, entertainment, and sports franchises. Entering racing full-time as an owner would represent his most ambitious “crazy dream” yet, blending his competitive fire with a newfound love for speed. The “spine-chilling” ride at Indy 500 served as a catalyst, transforming a thrilling passenger experience into a potential launching pad for something much larger.
As the racing community digests the news, one thing is clear: Tom Brady’s involvement could redefine what’s possible at the intersection of sports fame and motorsport investment. Whether it leads to a full-fledged IndyCar team bearing his influence or evolves into other racing endeavors, the seven-time champion appears ready to trade the gridiron for the grid. For now, the dream remains open, fueled by the memory of that electric, terrifying lap around Indianapolis Motor Speedway—one that Brady says ranks among the highlights of his extraordinary life.
