Think of college, the stress of tests, papers, and projects. Picture the unforgettable memories of parties, tailgates, friends and other shenanigans. Now try to imagine living that lifestyle while racing Indy cars upwards of 200 miles per hour – professionally. For Daniel Herrington that image is not far off. It’s his life.
Minus saving damsels in distress, Herrington is a regular Clark Kent. His coach and team owner Bryan Herta noticed Herringtonís situation and had a special place in his heart, and on his team for Herrington. In January of this year Herrington signed with Bryan Herta Autosport in the Firestone Indy Lights Series.
“Literally he’s living a double life and it’s a difficult thing to do. It’s only someone like me who has done the same thing that can understand it,” Herta said. “As soon as I talked to him I recognized the determination he had in himself to make his racing career a success and I just want to help him, I really want to work with him.”
Herrington said being a student in mechanical engineering gives him an extra one-up on other drivers.
“I can relate to the engineers on the team better and give them more detailed feedback as to how the car is responding,” Herrington said. “It lets me be able to understand the technical side of the car a bit better and thatís actually one of my strengths as a driver. It’s also helped because of how demanding of the course load can be as an engineer.”
For Herrington, racing started as a father-son bonding trip. Shortly after his 16th birthday, Herrington convinced his father to go to the Justin Bell Racing School in Moroso, FL. From there, his passion grew exponentially and with abundant encouragement from his parents, other drivers, and coaches alike the sky is the limit for Herrington.
“We both got hooked and I started doing some club racing in the North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia area,” Herrington said. “My first race was when I was 17 and it’s just grown from there. Now I’m at the level where hopefully next year I’ll be driving Indy Cars and racing at the Indy 500.”
Accomplishing his goals of moving up to the IndyCar Serieswill not be easy because of the tough competition he will face in the Indy Lights Series. Drivers from all over the world compete for a limited number of available positions.
“It is very cut throat out there because of the 20 drivers maybe 1 or two of them will make the move up to the Indy car series next year and they realize that,” Herta said. “You canít just be good, you have to be great. You really have to set yourself apart from the field.”
In his first full season in the Indy Light Series, Herrington and his team hope his success continues. After graduation in May of this year, he will have more time to dedicate to racing. Herrington races in his first race of the 2009 season this weekend in Florida at the Streets of St. Petersburg – ironically in the same state where his racing dreams blossomed.
“I think he’s got a very bright future in this sport. He has all the elements,” Herta said. “It’s not just about being fast in qualifying or being fast in the championship. That’s a big part of it, but there is a whole mental aspect to it. There is a level of dedication, the training that has to go on during the races. His mechanical engineering background that he is developing at school is a real asset to him. Everything he’s done in his life up until now has really prepared him for this opportunity.”
