It was a deal made after promising results.
And a deal kept after thrilling conclusions.
Ryan Hunter-Reay finished second in Saturday's Detroit Grand Prix, and talked with us live on WXYZ in front of the race's new winner's circle by Belle Isle's Scott Fountain.
"How about this, you win it tomorrow, you go in the fountain. Deal?" I asked.
Hunter-Reay quickly answered.
"Deal," he said.
Wanna see a driver jump in the Scott Fountain on Belle Isle? @RyanHunterReay told us on @WXYZDetroit he'll do it if he wins at the @DetroitGP today. pic.twitter.com/VmKuYOdh3T
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) June 3, 2018
The 2014 Indy 500 winner ran well in practice on Friday, finished on the podium on Saturday, and was looking ahead to a strong possibility of winning his first race since 2015.
Who wouldn't make that deal?
What followed was an instant, iconic moment in Detroit motor sports.
Following the shocking turn of events on lap 64, when Hunter-Reay's teammate Alexander Rossi lost the lead and skidded off-track, the No. 28 DHL car took the lead and never gave it up.
Fountain time.
Exiting his car in the winner's circle, Hunter-Reay approached our WXYZ crew after celebrating with his team.
"Oh, the fountain guys!" he exclaimed.
Ryan Hunter-Reay saw @BradGalli and @JRoseWXYZ and said, “Oh, the fountain guys!” After he promised to jump in the Scott Fountain if he won the #DetroitGP pic.twitter.com/X2DPqanqw0
— Maxwell White (@MaxWhiteWXYZ) June 3, 2018
We recorded an interview with Hunter-Reay that never aired. Holding off for the pay-off of a promise, we told Ryan we'd meet him by the fountain.
Then, with one minute left to spare before our last segment in the 6 PM newscast, Hunter-Reay looked at us. He was ready to own up to his words.
"I made you a promise. I'm keeping my word. Let's do it."
With that, 100 flashbulbs and smartphone cameras started capturing the moment. IndyCar's top dog on the island that day literally soaking in the most iconic view on Belle Isle.
Cold? Not so much, he admitted.
A man of his word? You bet.
Yesterday, I promised @wxyzdetroit that if I won today, I’d go in. Man of my word. Man, that water was cold! #DetroitGP #IndyCar https://t.co/xYlPA5dumF
— Ryan Hunter-Reay (@RyanHunterReay) June 3, 2018
