Leilani Munter Building Toward Long Run in Open-Wheel Racing

Sam Schmidt Motorsports Driver Focuses on Chicagoland Encore

by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com

Leilani Munter. Photo: DanaGarrettIRL

Leilani Munter burst onto the Indy Pro Series scene with a successful rookie test and impressive run in the SmartPapers Dallara on the oval at Kentucky Speedway.

Now she’s looking ahead to the September ninth season-ender at Chicagoland with the championship-winning Sam Schmidt Motorsports team, and beyond.

IndyProRacer.com caught up with the fleet female phenom for the latest news toward her goal of becoming the first woman race-winner in the Indy Racing League.

IndyProRacer.com: You’ve had several weeks now to reflect on your debut with the Indy Pro Series at Kentucky Speedway. How do you assess your weekend there: practice, qualifications and race.

Leilani Munter: I am really proud of what I accomplished in Kentucky.

It was a great learning experience for me. I improved every time I went out on the track, had a top five qualifying effort, and had a great run going in the race until the accident.

I learned a lot about how the IPS cars handle in traffic, how to set up passes and I feel much more confident headed to Chicagoland.

IndyProRacer.com: What did you learn from Kentucky that you definitely want to carry over to Chicagoland for improvement, or maybe simply want to continue as it worked well?

Leilani Munter: I learned so much from listening to the feedback from the team. I totally trust them and what they tell me the car will do and I think I gained some respect from them as well.

I also learned a lot from talking with Jaques Lazier and Rick Mears. They are both not only incredible race car drivers, but are also wonderful teachers.

I need to work on my restarts, because that is where I lost my positions. Looking back, I think it was actually good for me, because I got to pass a lot of cars on my way back up to the front. But going forward I would rather not lose those spots to begin with.

Munter Family Ties Get Stronger With Internet and TV Coverage

IndyProRacer.com: What’s been the reaction from your family to your switch to open-wheel racing? Do they get to the events? Watch them on internet or TV?

Leilani Munter: My family is very supportive of my career. I am not from a racing family so they didn’t know much about the sport at first but over the past several years they have learned so much that they surprise me sometimes with their knowledge of the sport.

Sam Schmidt Motorsports’ Leilani Munter. Photo: SteveSnoddyIRL

They were not able to make it to Kentucky, but they all watched it live on IndyCar.com and also when it aired a few days later on ESPN2. Many of my family members will be coming to Chicagoland and the ones that can’t make it will be watching on the internet.

The past six years that I have been racing stock cars they have not been able to watch streaming video of the events and they told me they were pleasantly surprised at how good the coverage is from IndyCar.com

Eating, Breathing and Sleeping Indy Pro Series

IndyProRacer.com: What’s the biggest change in your routine since you started with SSM? Meeting sponsor-time commitments? Fitness and strength training? Hanging around the shop?

Leilani Munter: I’ve been eating, breathing, and sleeping open wheel racing! I am tuning in to watch the IndyCar races and have been studying footage from the 2006-2007 IPS races.

I have been working out everyday and watching what I eat. I am much stronger than I was two months ago.

I also spent some time hanging around the shop in Indy to get to know the guys on my team. They are all great: very smart and serious about performance, but at the same time they know how to laugh and crack a joke and have fun.

I couldn’t ask for a better home. I plan on staying for as long as they’ll have me!

IndyProRacer.com: What are your plans for 2008?

”I couldn’t ask for a better home than Sam Schmidt,” says Leilani Munter

Leilani Munter: I plan to run for Indy Pro Series Rookie of the Year next season with Sam Schmidt Motorsports.

We have a program planned during the off season to get myself some seat time on the road courses. I think I am in a great situation with this team because they really know what they are doing and they know how to coach a rookie.

I am very serious about learning about these cars and I am going to take advantage of this opportunity and learn as much as I can.

As a race car driver, I couldn’t be in a better place!

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The next Indy Pro Series event is the Chicagoland 100 on September 9th at Chicagoland Speedway. ESPN2’s coverage of the race will be televised at 5 PM EDT on September 13th.

Comments

[Daryl]

Good luck in Chicagoland, Leilani!!

[My Name Is IRL]

There is not nearly enough Leilani Munter in the IndyCar world. Even if she didn't have the photogenic looks, her personality would win zillions of fans over.

Oh, and her driving doesn't appear to be too shabby either. Best of luck to her and her SSM team this weekend.

[JimmyD]

Phleet,Phemale,Phenom or iz it Fleet,Female,Fenom? Either way,Good Luck in ChiTown 57!

[uptochallenge]

Really like the way you answer questions...direct and to the point. When
you get to the IRL..don't forget the fans
at this level..stay in touch via
ladiesinracing etc. See you at Indy in 2 years.