Photo Credit: IndyCar
There are few drivers who can say that their family has a history with an event, but one of those drivers is Mathew Brabham. His grandfather Jack Braham was a Formula One Legend, finishing ninth in the 1961 Indianapolis 500, while his father Geoff ran 10 Indianapolis 500s.
When the series heads to Indianapolis Motor Speedway in May, Brabham hopes to compete in his first Indianapolis 500, an opportunity that he says means a lot.
“I grew up listening to stories of my dad being at the race,” he said. “He raced in it 10 times. My grandfather also racing in it, too. Having that rear engine car come over.”
On top of being able to add to family history, he will get the opportunity to compete in the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500, in which he says is an “absolutely awesome” opportunity to get to do in his rookie season. For Brabham, all of his dreams are being realized as a result of the entry from Team Murray, and partnership with the Chris Kyle Foundation. He says that’s something that came about with the race being run on Memorial Day weekend.
“We’re very proud to announce our partnership with the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation, and have Taya there as our team ambassador at the Indy 500. We’re looking forward to getting her out at the event and doing everything we can to support her charity and what she’s doing,” he said. “It’s a great initiative. Again, it all links back into what we’re doing. The Indy 500, the hundredth running, Memorial Day weekend, all those great things that kind of fell into place.
“It’s all been really just awesome and great. Yeah, we’re really excited about it. We have a lot of cool media aspects on that side. We have some good programs coming around with that that we’ll announce soon.”
Though before he takes to the track for the Indianapolis 500, he also is schedule to run the Grand Prix of Indianapolis, which is run on IMS’ infield road course. Brabham knows his way around there, having picked up the victory in the Indy Lights Series on the track in 2014.
“I was lucky enough to win the inaugural race of the Indy Lights race here, the Indy Grand Prix on the road course. It was a race that was raining just like today outside, pretty similar weather conditions,” he said. “Yeah, no, I love the road course. It’s improved a lot ever since I started playing it on video games on Formula One PlayStation games. To be living it in real life, the track is pretty awesome.
“The long straights really promote some close, tight racing. You can really pass a lot of cars because of the downforce and running low wing. I think that was one of the most fun races I ever had. I was racing with Gabby Chaves. We passed each other for the lead two or three times. It was a pretty interesting race.”
Brabham added that he’s excited about getting to run the event to help him in his development ahead of the Indianapolis 500, from getting used to the car to pit stops and team strategy.
