Jonathan Klein Featured on Front Page of UD FlyerNews

Nikki Miller
Staff Writer

Imagine the rush of speeding around a track at 190 mph. Your heart is beating rapidly, and it is 120 degrees in the cockpit. For many, this is an experience that can only be envisioned, but for UD student Jonathan Klein, it’s reality.

Klein, a first year business leadership major, competes in the Indy Pro Series, the Indy Racing League’s top development series, one step below the IndyCar Series, which sanctions the Indianapolis 500.

As a rookie, he has already participated in three Indy Pro Series races with his best finishes coming at the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. In the two consecutive races on the Streets of St. Petersburg, Fla. April 1 and 2, Klein finished in fifth place.

At 18 years old, Klein is setting the mark for a long future in racing. From Long Grove, Ill., he became involved in the sport at age six.

“My older brother raced go-karts, and I was allowed to tag along,” Klein said. “At the age of seven I began competitive go-kart racing, and it all took off from there.”

At age 15, Klein began driving the cars and attended Skip Barber Racing School. This prominent school has trained great drivers over the years including Marco Andretti, who went to school along with Klein. Now Andretti has moved into the IndyCar Series, just as Klein hopes to do in the future.

Klein would not be where he is today in the sport of racing without his parents. His father got him involved at a young age and has been there for support ever since.

“My parents have been my greatest supporters, not only in funding but also emotionally,” Klein said. “Racing is a sport that has the highest highs and the lowest lows. It’s an emotional ride, and my parents have been there through it all.”

Last December when Klein began in the Indy Pro Series, he signed on with Andretti Green Racing. This team is co-owned by Michael Andretti, Kim Green and Kevin Savoree. He races with teammate Jaime Camara from Brazil, and in the future he hopes to continue with Andretti Green Racing.

It is obvious that Klein is not a typical student-athlete. Managing school and racing is difficult, but he enjoys the challenge. Klein does not train with a team on a daily basis or travel to Cincinnati to take on rival Xavier, but instead he must work on his own to stay physically fit for his sport.

“While at school I have to go to the gym every day,” Klein said. “For an hour long your heart is beating fast, it’s incredibly hot and you’re wearing three layers of fireproof clothing. People do not understand the physical stress it takes to race. You get out of the car, and you feel drained.”

Klein is preparing for a long season of racing, with May 26 being the next date in mind. On this day he will participate in the Freedom 100 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This will be the fourth of twelve races in the Indy Pro Series in 2006. The race takes place two days before the Indianapolis 500 and will be broadcasted on ESPN2.

“Hopefully I have a long future ahead of me,” Klein stated. “I want to be in the IndyCar Series. I want to race in the Indianapolis 500. I want to win a championship. I want to drive for Andretti Green Racing. These are my goals.”

The future is important, but right now Klein is enjoying his time at UD living on his own with new responsibilities. Although he is one step away from the IndyCar Series, the premier open-wheel racing series in the United States, he still can experience college in the way every one else at UD can.

“Like many here this is the first time I have been on my own,” Klein stated. “I get all the normal responsibilities of a college student along with racing. Overall racing has prepared me better for life on my own over anything else because I am doing things other 18-year-old kids are not getting to do. For example I need to meet with executives and deal with the business relations in racing. More than anything I have matured quicker.”

Jonathan Klein’s life can be considered a dream to many, but to him it’s reality.

“It’s worth it,” Klein stated. “It’s worth every minute of my time and dedication to make my dreams in racing come true.”

FlyerNews
Volume 53, Number 39