The thrill of driving a sports car and “going as fast as 170 mph” gives Patrick Dempsey, cast member of Grey’s Anatomy, a rush unparallel to acting on the popular medical drama. He explained, “I really enjoy racing much more than I enjoy doing the show… I mean I enjoy the show, but it’s a different thing because it’s like a long distance race.”
He was spotted at the Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday, April 15. He was there to compete in a timed 2.5-hour Grand-Am Koni Challenge GS sports car race.
When not preoccupied with Grey’s Anatomy, Dempsey is busy taking delight in racing. In fact, this racecar driver is part owner in the pro-Am sports car series. In June 2004, he participated in race #2 of the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, driving a Panoz GTS racecar. In addition, he participated in the Panoz Series and the Pro Miata series, and has joined with other celebrities in Baja 1000 in 2005 and 2006. He is also co-owner of the Indycar Series team Vision Racing.
On Sunday’s racing competition, Dempsey and co-driver Charles Espenlaub of Tampa ranked sixth out of 39 cars. This was also Dempsey’s best finish in five Koni Challenge races.
Dempsey, a 41-year old native of Lewiston, currently plays Dr. Derek Shepherd, also known as “McDreamy” on Grey’s Anatomy. At the 2007 Golden Globes, he was nominated for Best performance by an Actor in a Television Series-Drama. Prior to his inclusion on Grey’s Anatomy, he appeared in films and shows like Can’t Buy Me Love, Loverboy, Happy Together, Will & Grace, Iron Jawed Angels, Scream 3, About A Boy and Sweet Home Alabama.
-Kris De Leon, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: CBS News
(Photo Courtesy of TV.com)
Staff Writer, BuddyTV
