For Immediate Release August 4, 2016

Up Close & Personal with IndyCar Driver Mianna Wick: Q & A with Fans

Q: What was it like getting your first test in an IndyCar?  Mianna: I had arrived at 9am and I was surprisingly super calm in waiting that long, and was only a little concerned that the day would dwindle away before I got a chance to shine.  When it finally was time for me to get in the car, I talked with Paul Dallenbach for a short period, getting his input on how to drive such a heroic car. I was told that I would most likely stall it a few times before taking off due to the difficult clutch, but when I got in it, much to everyone’s surprise, I had a smooth take off my first try. I only got to drive it for a few laps, but those laps are one of the most memorable times of my life. The way it felt, the bigness, the weight, the speed…everything. Each lap I coached myself to drive as David had told me to, getting faster and faster each lap. I wanted to respect the equipment of others, so I tried to go pretty slow through the test to prove I would take care of equipment and I wanted to create team-comfort above driving super-fast that day. I felt like there was a bigger, underlying test that day than to just go fast in a race-car. When I got out, everyone asked how it felt. The only response I could come up with was that it felt like home! As well as when I got out of the car that day, something happened most people never get to experience; something so special that I hold very dear to my heart...people were crying, screaming, waving flags, and most impactful was a little girl running up to me saying I was her hero and one day she was going to grow up to be just like me—that’s what makes this sport so special.

Q: How did you get into racing? Mianna: My dad actually used to race motocross, so with him being very mechanically inclined and having that “racing bug” in him, he built a family “go-kart” for all of us to use as an activity together. At this point we were living in the tiny town (10 by 12 blocks) Flagler, Colorado, which is a lot of the reason we built the kart to begin with. When we moved back to my originally hometown, we ended up paving a little quarter-mile track, and bought each family member a kart for themselves. As crazy as it may seem, I honestly didn’t really like the “family go-kart” that we took out on the dirt. Racing didn’t become my passion until we moved home and I got to drive the correct sized kart on a paved track.

Q: What has your racing career looked like through the years?   Mianna: I started driving in 2006 (when I was 10), and started racing in 2010. The first day anyone saw me drive, besides my family, they instantly saw my potential to race. I did my first race in a club event (a local event) and actually won. My second event was in a regional (Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming) race in which I took second. My very next race was a full-fledge national event. It was crazy, but it really kicked off a great career. I raced karts for a few years, then landed a test with Phil Giebler Racing (who I knew from karting, but was also rookie of the year in 2007 for the Indianapolis 500) in a Formula Ford 1600. After that I raced a few races in my own Formula Ford 1600, then moved to a Formula Mazda late 2014 through 2015. I tested most of the season in my Formula Mazda, but I did enter SCCA’s Major’s Tour Freedom Sprints and took first by over 30 seconds in the main event over the series’ champion. After that, it takes me to what you all know now, my IndyCar.

Q: Does racing make you nervous?    Mianna: No. It doesn’t anymore. I used to get super nervous before a race when I was driving in Karts, like so much my teeth would start to hurt, but ever since I’ve been driving in cars, that has gone away. I still get a tad anxious, mainly because I’m super excited, and I do want to do well, but it’s not like that painful nervous that I used to deal with. I feel really confident in my driving and what my team has taught me. Anymore, I just have these goals that have been set up for me to accomplish, and I’m too focused on attaining them that I forget I should be nervous.

Q: What are your aspirations in racing? Mianna: My aspirations for 2016 is to set myself up for success in later years. Something I’ve learned lately is if you want to make it to the professional racing level, every race/test you do before you reach that goal is in preparation for that pro level. Don’t get me wrong, every season I’ve raced has been an accomplishment in and of itself, and goals I’ve attained thus far have been a success, but I’ve set my sites on racing for the Verizon IndyCar series; in order to do that, every time that you attain your set goal, there has to be a new one made. To put it simply, I’ve enjoyed the journey, but I’ve got someplace to be and I intend to reach my destination. With that being said, my goals this year are in preparations for my final goal—to race the Verizon IndyCar series’ full season. My aspiration is to be driving in either Indy lights next year, or if everything pans out, it may even be possible that you'll see me driving the Indy 500 summer of 2017. After that, I will continue my venture to then attain my next goal of racing a full season for the Verizon IndyCar series.

Q: What are the “101”’s of your current car? Mianna:  My current race car is pretty SICK! I have a 1996 Lola IndyCar, which I will just add is super awesome because I was born in 1996—we were always meant to be. It has a Chevy small block, 8 cylinder, sprint engine in it. It carries a sequential 6 speed transmission, with the potential of about 240MPH. My engine also has an oil peterson dry sump, and around 800 horsepower. Like I mentioned above, I have a Lola chassis, and for those of you who may not know (in other words, I think this is awesome, so I really just wanted a chance to tell you), my car can put down about 5,000lbs of downforce at 180MPH—like I said, pretty sick!

Q: How did you meet (your racing team) Loophole Racing? Mianna: I met Loophole at a Hill Climb event over near Grand Junction, Co. Paul Dallenbach, and also Wyatt Dallenbach, was driving in that event. I knew Wyatt from karting so I was aware of the race. Being that I wanted to network to try and find someway to further my career, I went to the event, hoping someone might spot me, but never in a million years did I expect what was about to happen. There, I hung out with Paul, Wyatt, Wally, I believe his wife Pepe was there too that day, and my soon-to-be team. Bud (Dan) Hoffpauir, who took a quick liking to me, figured out what I did and where I wanted to go. Bud soon talked to David (his brother and co-owner of Loophole Racing) into getting me a test in their IndyCars and the rest fell into place as they found my talent in driving, my marketing skills, and my passion of the sport. From there on, I suppose you can say, the rest will be history! ;)

Biography: I am 19 years old, and have my B.A. in Small Business at Sheffield State University, Majoring in Marketing. I have been racing for a total of 6 years, 2 and a half of which have been in Formula cars. I am currently a team driver for the Loophole Racing team with crew chief David Hoffpauir and consultant Bud Hoffpauir.  Racing has become a huge part of my life throughout the past several years. From late night training to supporting sponsors, I'm content if it has anything to do with racing and pursuing the goals that have been set before me. To me, racing is believing, you can push yourself just a little bit harder each time out, straining to achieve your best. It means improving your skill, technique and self-state with every step you take—never settling for second best.  Living by Faith, Mianna

Check out Mianna's Racing to Beauty Vlog!  " Outside of the race track, I am as girly as they come. I enjoy things such as shopping, manicures, fashion expertise, and spending hours on my hair and make-up. I also love to stay fit with doing home workouts, getting in the gym, or doing something active outdoors. I'm game for doing most anything with the people I love...simply enjoying life" ~ Mianna Wick Click here for Mianna's Racing to Beauty VLOG/BLOG

Visit Mianna Wick Racing  Click here!