Plowman, Yacaman share stories with Indianapolis 500 Education Program students

As residents of Indianapolis during the racing season, Firestone Indy Lights drivers Martin Plowman and Gustavo Yacaman have grown to love the Indianapolis 500.

Gustavo Yacaman Credit: Chris Jones/Indy Lights

They shared that love with about 1,000 fourth-grade students from around the state of Indiana during a 500 Festival and Indianapolis 500 Educational Program Study Trip to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on April 13.

"It was a nice day at IMS," said Yacaman, who drives the No. 10 Cape Motorsport with Wayne Taylor Racing car. "All of students were really smart and polite. It was really cool when one of the kids came up to me and told me that he thought I was awesome. It really made my day!"

Yacaman and Plowman explained how a race car worked to the group of students using the IZOD IndyCar Series cutaway car and took time to answer questions from students ranging from "what does it feels like to be in car?," and "How long have you been involved in racing?," to "Have you ever crashed?" and "What happens if your wheel falls off?"

"I had a lot of fun spending time with the kids," Plowman said. "It was really cool to see them get excited about meeting a "driver". It hammered home the pressure and responsibility that I and other drivers have of being role models. Even if I don't feel I deserve that status, they look up to you.

" I will definitely be back in May to give more time to this project, as giving my time is the least that I can do to help get the future of the sport excited for a sport that I love."

The 500 Festival and Indianapolis 500 Educational Program is for Indiana fourth grade students opens up the world of the 500 Festival and Indianapolis 500 and their important place in Indiana's history and culture.

The program offers a variety of interesting and thought-provoking lessons and projects and a unique opportunity to visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for an educational study trip during the months of April and May.

This year, more than 19,232 students from 261 schools are participating in the program with approximately 7,500 students visiting the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for Study Trips.

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