Before First Gear

Mason Filippi is an American auto racing driver who competes in the TCR class of the Michelin Pilot Challenge for Bryan Herta Autosport. He's raced domestically and internationally as well as in Xfinity. Interestingly, Mason has launched OpenFender, a crowdsourcing platform for racing sponsorships.

Keegan is a young kart racer trying to pay his way into WKA events, then hopefully in Spec Miata and into a racing career. He discusses some of the costs associated with karting and ways to consider raising sponsorship dollars.

Ashton Harrison races in IMSA GTD and Lamborghini Super Trofeo. She also became the first female class winner in a global SRO event when she won the Indy 8hr.

Amber Balcaen is a Canadian professional stock car racing driver. She competes full-time in the ARCA Menards Series and is most known for being the first Canadian woman to win in a NASCAR-sanctioned race in the United States. She started her career in Dirt Oval racing, finding some serious success in sprints and midgets, then accessed NASCAR through the Drive for Diversity program.

The son of a successful driver, Wayne Taylor, Jordan has forged an astounding career of his own becoming one of the top sports car racers of his generation. It hasn't always come totally natural to him, so it's super interesting and humbling hearing how he's managed to get to where he is today.

Jace Denmark is currently racing in USF Pro 2000 and discusses what it's like to be halfway through the most pivotal season of his career. If he performs well this season it'll set him on a direct trajectory to IndyNXT and IndyCar.

Corey is a MotoAmerica Superbike rider who's been involved in the sport since he could walk. Corey was selected for the Red Bull Rookies Cup in 2008, the since year it ran in the US and has raced in various series around the country. He also did a brief stint in American Flat Track, a move that would wind up becoming a turning point in his career.

Kyle has one of the more unique stories I've heard about getting into IMSA and finding ways to make the funding work. Today he drives for Wayne Taylor racing, but has experience behind the wheel of various #ferrari Lexus, Acura, Audi and prototype cars. He's a hugely talented driver and I found his optimistic outlook and pure drive to achieve his goals to be the most interesting parts of the discussion.

Really interesting to hear from Rocco Landers, MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion and a guy who's been on two wheels since he could walk. He's still early in his career, so at a pretty foundational stage, which made hearing about the last few years even more interesting. He's raced both overseas, trying to progress to MotoGP and is now active in the Baggers series in MotoAmerica. Every race win and decision he's making today is helping set him up to be a future champ, hopefully we'll see him on the global stage some day.

Kyle Kirkwood is an IndyCar driver for Andretti Motorsports and had one of the most successful paths through the Road to Indy that landed him in IndyCar. In only his second full season he's already won several races and is on his way to what should be a legendary career.