Leilani Munter Preps for Indy Pro Series Debut

Kentucky Speedway Test Puts Speedy Miss in Fast Company

by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com

ARCA/ReMax stock car driver Leilani Munter took her first turn behind the wheel of an Indy Pro Series racer last week at Kentucky Speedway as the Indy Pro Series carried out private tests for several young racers with aspirations towards a spot in next week’s Freedom 100 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and beyond.

Leilani Munter. Photo: ShawnMahoney

Leilani topped 185 miles per hour on the 1.5 mile oval in the hilly countryside near little Sparta, Kentucky as she earned her Indy Pro Series driving license in time to make a run at the biggest race on the schedule. Larry Cahill, who is well-known in IndyCar circles, and Hall of Famer Peter Parrott made the necessary arrangements for the Minnesota native to test the Dallara at speed.

"Leilani did a great job testing the Indy Pro Series car,” said Butch Meyer, Indy Pro Series Technical and Race Director.

“I was very impressed with how quickly she got up to speed and with the feedback she gave the team,” he said. “She had a real good feel for the car. She will be a very tough competitor in the Indy Pro Series."

"Leilani was very impressive today, particularly as this was her first time in an open wheel car,” said Speedworks Racing Team President Peter Parrott.

“She adapted to the track quickly and once she found her line, was very consistent throughout the entire test. We put a lot of downforce on the car, but she intuitively knew how to find all the speed possible in that setup. She did an excellent job."

IndyProRacer.com caught up with the speedy Leilani after her Kentucky test and got her impressions of the experience, and of how good life is in the fast lane.

IndyProRacer.com: What are your impressions driving the IPS Dallara for the first time? How does it compare to the stock cars you’ve driven as to handling, speed, and thrill?

Leilani Munter: I loved it! I had no idea what to expect because I had never driven this type of car before, but I had a blast and I can’t wait to do it again!

I was shocked at how responsive it was. The car is incredibly sensitive to the slightest input in the wheel. Stock cars you have to man handle, these cars you have to finesse. You have to be precise.

The last time I drove a stock car was an ARCA car at Daytona, which is a very bumpy track. You are going through the corners there and the when you go over the bumps the stock cars move around quite a bit underneath you.

In the Indy Pro car I felt like I was glued to the track, they just have so much more grip and downforce. I also think there is a stronger sense of speed because you are closer to the ground. They are different animals, both thrilling, but very different.

IndyProRacer.com: Your website lists four races you plan to drive this year (Iowa, Nashville, Kentucky, Chicago), all of them ovals. If things go well at those tracks would you consider running some road courses in another open-wheel series (e.g. A1GP) over the winter to gain more experience on those courses?

Leilani Munter: I would love to run some road courses, but just like my stock car racing career, it all depends on how much sponsorship we are able to obtain. I am one of those racers that is not in a car without sponsorship; I can’t cut my own check.

If I could, you would see me in a race car every weekend.

IndyProRacer.com: Your career has taken you to the movies, and into pure competition, behind the wheel. Which do you find more satisfying? Is it a greater thrill to see your name on the credits in a dark theatre or standing on the throttle down a straightaway?

Leilani Munter: Without question, racing is my passion—it’s my life.

I had fun working in the movies, but I did it to earn money so that I could go to the race track and pay my rent. I haven’t worked in the movies since I left California in 2002 to pursue racing full time.

I had the good fortune of working with some really cool, talented people in the movie industry and I will always remember those days fondly, but I belong at the race track, not on a movie set.

Munter at Kentucky Speedway. Photo: ShawnMahoney

IndyProRacer.com: What advice would you give a young woman who wants to follow your career arc into racing or driving aggressively for a living? Start in karts? Make the rounds at the driving schools? Some other route to reach the place you are now?

Leilani Munter: I don’t think there is one path to carve out a career in racing. If you look at the racers that have made it, they all have very different backgrounds.

What it takes is a lot of seat time and a lot of commitment, determination, and perseverance.

Every single race I ran in stock cars for the past six years, I went out and found the sponsor dollars to make it happen. I heard a lot of nos. But the difference is, I never gave up. No matter how many doors shut on me, I kept knocking until I heard a yes.

I just wanted it so bad, I wouldn’t take no for an answer.

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The sixth season of Indy Pro Series competition continues with the Freedom 100 on May 25th at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The race will be telecast as part of ESPN2’s coverage of Carb Day at 4PM EDT on May 25th.