Andretti Global is helping to advance the careers of the late Dan Wheldon’s two sons, Sebastian and Oliver, both of whom have shown generational aptitude for their father’s chosen careers. Both boys are in the team’s Driver Development program and succeeding from their starting spots in karts.
Sebastian, 15, who won the Skip Barber Formula Racing Series in 2023 and its $100,000 scholarship, is slated to compete with VRD Racing in the 2024 USF Juniors series presented by Continental Tire with continuing support from Gainbridge and Group 1001. Sebastian’s USF Juniors fire suit and his VRD car’s livery are slated to match the wrap of Andretti’s INDYCAR driver Colton Hertz, further showcasing the black and yellow colors of Gainbridge.
In his first season in a racing car – as opposed to his karting experience – Sebastian Wheldon earned six victories and 13 podiums en route to his championship in the Skip Barber series. VRD Racing, led by team owner Dan Mitchell and manager Jacob Loomis, have produced a team that, based from Atlanta Motorsports Park, has a long history of assisting younger drivers climb the ladder to racing success.
Sebastian Wheldon makes his USF Juniors debut February 7th, as the 2024 USF season begins with the first round of the 2024 YACademy Winter Series, which takes place on the Sebring International Raceway road/airport circuit. There are two rounds in the winter championship that concludes later this week, February 9-11 at Homestead Miami Speedway.
“I am really excited to be joining VRD Racing for the 2024 USF Juniors season. Dan [Mitchell] and his team run a first-class organization,” Sebastian Wheldon said. “Having the support of Gainbridge and Andretti Global is giving me the extra confidence I need heading into the season. It’s a great feeling, knowing I have everything I need to be competitive to contend for the championship.”
Oliver Wheldon, about three years younger than his older brother (and about to celebrate moving into his teens next month), is going to the Skip Barber Race Series, hoping to equal the achievements of his elder brother with his own success in a race car. He’ll debut in the 2024 Skip Barber Race Series, also getting continued support from Gainbridge and Group 1001. The Skip Barber Race Series is an official racing school of Andretti INDYCAR and Andretti INDY NXT.
The younger son of two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Dan Wheldon has a successful karting career. The 12-year-old earned championship titles in the skis Winter Series in 2020 and 2022, and the Ron Cup FWT in 2020 and 2021.
Sebastian and Oliver Wheldon join a long list of Andretti racers who have trained with Skip Barber, including his father, both Michael and Marco Andretti, Bryan Herta, together with Andretti INDYCAR racers Colton Herta and Kyle Kirkwood. Current Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti drivers – and brothers – Jordan and Ricky Taylor have competed in Skip Barber’s series.
Founded by Skip Barber in 1975, the series is intended to enhance the racing experiences, establish and enhance racing skills and exists in the firm belief that competitive race car driving was teachable. Over 400,000 students have become both graduates and champions in their chosen avenues of motorsport.
The 2024 Skip Barber Race Series consists of seven weekends, offering drivers access to some of the most iconic tracks across the United States. It awards a total of $375,000 in scholarships. The overall champion receives a $100,000 scholarship – which older brother Sebastian is utilizing this season, to advance to the USF Juniors Series the next yea.
Oliver Wheldon’s on-track training testing with the Skip Barber Racing School begins at Sebring International Raceway February 7-8, in preparation for his debut, at the same track March 1-3. “I am super excited to race with Skip Barber in 2024!” Wheldon exclaimed. “This will help me a lot with becoming a better driver and learning to feel more comfortable in the car, after making the leap from karts. I can also lean on my brother Sebastian for advice, as he won the championship last year. I want to thank Andretti and Gainbridge for their continued support. I’m really looking forward to my first year in cars,” he said.
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