{"id":32338,"date":"2024-03-01T10:55:27","date_gmt":"2024-03-01T14:55:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/?p=32338"},"modified":"2024-03-01T10:56:48","modified_gmt":"2024-03-01T14:56:48","slug":"road-to-detroit-gp-young-driver-rowe-engineer-gundlach-talk-about-climbing-the-ladder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/2024\/03\/road-to-detroit-gp-young-driver-rowe-engineer-gundlach-talk-about-climbing-the-ladder","title":{"rendered":"Road to Detroit GP: Young driver Rowe, engineer Gundlach talk about climbing the ladder"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><em>Detroit<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 When it roars into the city streets this June, the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear aims to seed future racers as well as celebrate current stars.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">To that end, Penske Entertainment is working to build local infrastructure through schools and sponsors to expose youth to the loud, fast, and technical IndyCar circus. With sponsor Comerica Bank, the Grand Prix also makes the event\u2019s opening Friday Detroit Free Prix Day to give families more access to the venue. Announcing Free Prix Day this week, Penske Entertainment brought drivers and engineers into Detroit classrooms, engaging students on the array of career opportunities that motorsports offers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Rising stars Myles Rowe, Salvador de Alba, and IndyCar Arrows McLaren race engineer Kate Gundlach \u2014 all of whom will be competing at the Detroit GP \u2014 met with some 500 students across 20 Southeast Michigan high schools to talk about climbing the IndyCar ladder.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_gl gnt_em__el\" href=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/picture-gallery\/media\/photo\/2024\/03\/01\/gallery-detroit-gp-in-the-detroit-classroom\/72780355007\/\" data-t-l=\":l|l|c|view gallery:inline promo\" aria-label=\"View Gallery - Gallery: Detroit GP in the Detroit classroom\" data-g-r=\"nav_mo\" data-g-tn=\"pgcss\" data-g-mtn=\"pg72780355007\" data-g-moh=\"hpgm\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-expanded=\"false\" data-c-id=\"72780355007\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_gl_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2024\/02\/28\/PDTN\/72780300007-detroit-g-pclassroom-rowewinsreid.jpg?crop=1079,607,x0,y56&amp;width=660&amp;height=372&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"539\" height=\"304\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_mo_cap gnt_em_mo_cc__swd\"><em>Take a bow, young man: 23-year old Myles Rowe celebrates his 2023 USF2000 championship. Mentors Rod Ried (white cap) and Penske star Will Power cheer in background.<\/em><\/div>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_mo_crd gnt_em_mo_cc__swd\"><em>JAMES J BLACK, James Black, Penske Entertainment<\/em><\/div>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Rowe and Gundlach are trailblazers in the hyper-competitive world of motorsports. Rowe, an Atlanta native, is a rookie in the INDY NXT series this year. He\u2019ll compete alongside his IndyCar idols \u2014 the next step in a fast career that saw him crowned the first African-American champion of the open-wheel\u00a0<a class=\"gnt_ar_b_a\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indycar.com\/news\/2023\/09\/09-06-rowe-hmd-nxt\" data-t-l=\":b|e|k|${u}\">USF2000 series<\/a>\u00a0last year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Gundlach, a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh\u2019s Formula SAE racing program, is a rare female engineer in a male-dominated sport. Both emphasized the importance of determination and networking in their professional rise.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">\u201cMy dream was to be like (Formula One stars) Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton,\u201d said Rowe, 23, who got his first taste of speed like a lot of people \u2014 renting go-karts at shopping centers. \u201cI won a lot of rental go-kart races!\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Like Hamilton, Rowe didn\u2019t come from wealth or a racing background like many drivers. But he had strong family support and got attention for his raw talent and discipline \u2014 including from Penske team driver Will Power.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">\u201cI came to learn that those corny phrases your parents always use \u2014 do your best, work hard \u2014 have so much more depth to them,\u201d he told students from Detroit high schools including Fordson, Cass Tech, and Detroit Lions Academy. \u201cIt gave me the energy to be successful, to make my family proud.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside id=\"gnt_atomsnc\" class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_anc\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"loadAnc\" aria-label=\"Newsletter signup form\">\n<div class=\"label\" hidden=\"\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"message\">\n<div class=\"title\">Get the\u00a0<span class=\"highlight\">Michigan Politics<\/span>\u00a0newsletter in your inbox.<\/div>\n<p class=\"description\">Washington and Lansing, red and blue, we&#8217;ve got your government covered.<\/p>\n<div class=\"frequency\">Delivery: Daily<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"input-container populated\">\n<p><input autocomplete=\"off\" name=\"email\" required=\"\" type=\"email\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"clickable\"><\/div>\n<p><label>Your Email<\/label><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bar\">\n<div class=\"highlight\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"progress-primary\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"progress-secondary\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Rowe attracted sponsors that kick-started his racing career in the 2016 Lucas Oil Formula Car Race Series where he excelled \u2014 before the money ran out. He took a break from racing to get a college degree,<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">\u201cMoney is a critical part of this sport, that\u2019s the reality,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ve had to get sponsors to cover the . . . financial capital for equipment and the constant travel. You have to be business savvy and communicate with people to make your opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2024\/02\/28\/PDTN\/72780299007-detroit-g-pclassroom-rowetrophy.jpg?width=660&amp;height=441&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" alt=\"Myles Rowe, the first African-American USF2000 champ, displays his 2023 trophy.\" width=\"507\" height=\"339\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" \/><\/figure>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"Myles Rowe, the first African-American USF2000 champ, displays his 2023 trophy.\" data-c-credit=\"JAMES J BLACK, James Black, Penske Entertainment\">\n<div class=\"gnt_em_mo_cap gnt_em_mo_cc__swd\"><em>Myles Rowe, the first African-American USF2000 champ, displays his 2023 trophy.<\/em><\/div>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_mo_crd gnt_em_mo_cc__swd\"><em>JAMES J BLACK, James Black, Penske Entertainment<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">That savvy impressed Rod Reid, founder of the Force Indy racing team and NXG Youth Motorsports, a program that introduces students to careers in motorsports.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">\u201cMiles showed the mental capacity to perform well,\u201d said Reid, who offered Rowe a seat on the Force Indy team when he graduated from college. \u201cWe gave him a test, and it was like he had never been out of a race car.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Rowe won the 2023 USF2000 series, opening the door to his rookie year in INDY NXT \u2014 the AAA racing series that feeds IndyCar. Both he and Mexican driver de Alba \u2014 two-time winner of the Mexican NASCAR series \u2014 will be rookies on the Detroit GP INDY NXT grid.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Reed is adamant, however, that motorsports is not just about race jockeys. \u201cAt NXG we bring 11- to 15-year-old kids in to help understand what motorsports is all about,\u201d he said. \u201cWe want to expose them to the opportunities and careers around the industry.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Opportunities like engineer \u2014 of which there are three for each driver on an IndyCar grid.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2024\/02\/28\/PDTN\/72780298007-detroit-g-pclassroom-gundlach.jpg?width=990&amp;height=660&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" width=\"527\" height=\"351\" \/><\/figure>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"The #5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet team celebrates Pato O'Ward's 2021 Detroit GP win. From left: Scott Fountain, team, Chris Wheeler, Andy Gryzcan, Kate Gundlach, Taylor Kiel.\" data-c-credit=\"Michael L. Levitt, LAT Images\">\n<div class=\"gnt_em_mo_cap gnt_em_mo_cc__swd\"><em>The #5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet team celebrates Pato O&#8217;Ward&#8217;s 2021 Detroit GP win. From left: Scott Fountain, team, Chris Wheeler, Andy Gryzcan, Kate Gundlach, Taylor Kiel.<\/em><\/div>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_mo_crd gnt_em_mo_cc__swd\"><em>Michael L. Levitt, LAT Images<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Gundlach is the performance engineer for IndyCar superstar Pato O\u2019Ward, one of the sport\u2019s most recognizable faces and a Detroit GP inner in 2021. Gundlach works with O\u2019Ward and a systems engineer and race engineer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">\u201cI\u2019m in charge of anything that makes him go fast,\u201d Gundlach told students. \u201cI\u2019m his eyes in the sky for chassis behavior (and) making better torque to the wheels.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Gundlahch got hooked on motorbikes at a young age before graduating to four-wheel racers where she found her calling in college.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">\u201cI wasn\u2019t the best student in college, I struggled with the course load,\u201d she said. \u201cBut I always showed up, always asked questions, and. . . my work ethic was high.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">She learned her craft on Pittsburgh\u2019s SAE team that builds and races a car \u2014 then worked her way up through the pro ranks, eventually landing in IndyCar. \u201cThe best racing there is,\u201d she smiled. She said the sport\u2019s sophistication into carbon fiber is attracting new kinds of engineers from the aerospace industry as well as traditional auto trades schools like Lawrence Tech.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/presto\/2021\/06\/12\/PDTN\/0e009111-ead8-4822-83e1-190e3a2c1f1b-AP21163704554259.jpg?width=660&amp;height=441&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" alt=\"Performance engineer Kate Gundlach helped Arrow McLaren driver Pato O'Ward to his first IndyCar Detroit Grand Prix win in 2021. (Credit: Paul Sancya, AP)\" width=\"519\" height=\"347\" \/><\/figure>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"Performance engineer Kate Gundlach helped Arrow McLaren driver Pato O'Ward to his first IndyCar Detroit Grand Prix win in 2021. (Credit: Paul Sancya, AP)\" data-c-credit=\"Paul Sancya, AP\">\n<p><em>Performance engineer Kate Gundlach helped Arrow McLaren driver Pato O&#8217;Ward to his first IndyCar Detroit Grand Prix win in 2021. (Credit: Paul Sancya, AP)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Gundlach, Rowe, de Alba and the rest of the 34 annual Detroit GP circus will be on display for free, May 31<sup>,<\/sup>\u00a0for Free Prix Day sponsored for the 11<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0year by Comerica. The GP is back in downtown Detroit for the second year in a row.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Visitors can watch the on-track action \u2014 NTT IndyCar series, INDY NXT, and IMSA Weathertech Sportscar practice \u2014 for free over half of 1.7-mile track layout, including the two most coveted viewing locations: Grandstands 1 and 9.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">IMSA will race on Saturday while the INDY NXT and IndyCar feature races will be Sunday following Saturday qualifying. More information is available via DetroitGP.com\/tickets.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><em>Henry Payne is auto critic for The Detroit News. Find him at hpayne@detroitnews.com or Twitter @HenryEPayne<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Detroit\u00a0\u2014 When it roars into the city streets this June, the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear aims to seed future racers as well as celebrate current stars. To that end, Penske Entertainment is working to build local infrastructure through schools and sponsors to expose youth to the loud, fast, and technical IndyCar circus. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32338"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32338"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32338\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":32340,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32338\/revisions\/32340"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32338"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=32338"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=32338"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}