Nolan Siegel: Balancing Racing Dreams and Everyday Life

Nolan Siegel, a rising star in the world of motorsports, is gearing up for a significant milestone: his debut at the Indianapolis 500 on May 25. At just 20 years old, he has the chance to become the youngest driver to win this prestigious race, a record currently held by A.J. Foyt IV, who competed on his 19th birthday in 2003.

In a recent conversation with Us Weekly, Siegel opened up about life outside of racing. “In the summer now I can go golf and play pickleball,” he shared, highlighting the camaraderie among fellow drivers. “I have plenty of friends that live close by. Basically the entire IndyCar field lives within 15 minutes of me, so I’ve got plenty of people to go and do things with. It’s been fun.”

Originally from Palo Alto, California, Siegel has recently relocated to Indianapolis, a move he described as challenging. “A lot of the activities that I could do in northern California are no longer options,” he said with a chuckle, reflecting on the adjustment period. “When I first came and started spending a lot of time here, it was like the start of winter. So that was a bit of a shock for sure.”

As he acclimated to his new environment, Siegel took initiative to embrace new experiences. “I got my pilot’s license over the offseason and that’s been a new activity that I’ve really enjoyed,” he noted, expressing enthusiasm for flying as a refreshing pastime in Indiana.

Professionally, Siegel's schedule is packed. While his friends from school are reaching various milestones in their lives, he recognizes that his path diverges significantly from theirs. “There are definitely things I’ve missed out on all through school,” he admitted. “Obviously now, all of my friends are in college and I’m missing out on that.”

Yet, he remains resolute about his choices. “But I do not regret it at all. I wouldn’t trade this for that any day. Yes, there are things that I’m missing out on. But there are plenty of things that I get to do that they don’t get to do.”

Among those unique experiences is the thrill of competing in the Indianapolis 500, an event that will be broadcast live on Fox at 12:45 p.m. ET on May 25.