CORNING, N.Y. -- Jim Thaden is having a great time.
"This is the tops man, I'll tell you. You can't get any better than this," Thaden said.
Thaden just got the chance to talk to his son, Kevin, who's an Army Private First Class serving overseas. Thaden came from Rochester to Corning see Kevin play an interactive video game against professional race car drivers.
"You know, I talk to him on the phone every week or so when he gets the opportunity to call. I send him packages with whatever he needs. But to see him live playing against the IndyCar racers here makes it a lot special," Thaden said.
An Internet video game brings together professional race car drivers and soldiers serving overseas. IndyCar drivers played Halo 3 against National Guard and Fort Drum soldiers Thursday for the first-ever Pro versus GI Joe competition. And as our Kat De Maria tells us, the game even gave one man the chance to see his son after a year-and-a-half apart.
These IndyCar drivers here at the Corning Museum of Glass are playing Halo 3 against Army soldiers stationed in Kuwait. This first-ever matchup is giving both the troops and the drivers a chance to kick back.
"We were looking for a way to bring some really unique entertainment and fun activities to the troops, so we merged those two ideas -- soldiers playing video games, professional athletes playing video games --and we came up with Pro versus GI Joe," said Addie Zinone, Pro vs. GI Joe co-founder.
The Indy drivers say they're honored to be the first to interact with the soldiers in this way.
"We really thank them for everything they do for us and allow us to come out here every weekend and put on a good show and keep us safe. So anything we can do to give back, we're willing and able to do," said Graham Rahal, IndyCar Series Driver.
Although, the drivers admit, they had a good time, too.
"It was a lot of fun. We got our butts whooped by them since it's a war game. But I think it's a very good thing," said IndyCar Series Driver Vitor Meira.
After a year-and-half overseas, Thaden's son Kevin is due to come home next month.
"We'll get up here and do some fishing. He says he's going to take me out and show me how to shoot a gun, too," Thaden said.
And maybe play little bit of Halo.
Organizers held the Pro versus GI Joe event to celebrate the Fourth of July and this weekend's Camping World Grand Prix at Watkins Glen International Speedway.
As for the race, qualifying is Friday with the race on Sunday at 3:30 p.m.