Loveland teenager on track to achieve lofty car racing goals
A career that started at 8 years old in go-karts now has Evagoras Papasavvas getting closer to his goal of landing an IndyCar seat. The Loveland High School teenager goes from history and science classes to high-speed passes in the USF 2000 series, which is a feeder series for the NTT IndyCar Series.
“I'm not nervous about if I crash or not. I'm just nervous about the outcome of the race. You know, I always want to be the best,” Papasavvas said.
The 15-year-old is part of the Jay Howard Driver Development team and takes each opportunity in the car as a chance to prove himself. The eyes of those who make the decisions to move up are always watching.
“Everything's so tight. The whole field can be separated by like, half a second because everyone wants to win. Everyone wants to be the best. Everyone's putting in the work,” Papasavvas said.
In a sport where no one gets to the top alone, his family supports his dream even with the danger that comes with it. His mother has grown more comfortable with his passion even through the scariest moments. His father, Nektarios, does his best to keep his son’s focus on the road, giving him tips and critiques along the way.
“At the end of the day, you know, we do this because he wants it. We do it because he wants to win, because he's passionate. And that's what he wants to do,” Nektarios Papasavvas said.
And Evagoras knows it’s the team around him, not only pushing him but giving him the support needed for a dream only a few get to realize.
“I'm very thankful that they'll take me even across the country. We go to Portland at the very end of the year. So, we are very thankful for them and not only my family, but also my team and my sponsors,” Evagoras Papasavvas said.
As he spends hours on the simulator in his basement, along with weekly visits getting driven from Loveland to Indianapolis to meet with his team, Evagoras separates himself from the field with the work he puts in to get on the podium.
“I've been looking after my notes, looking at the video so I know what I need to do from my side, my driving side. God willing that I do well, and this race is on my side and I end up hopefully winning my first race for the season,” Evagoras said.
He’s one of the youngest drivers on the track and sits in 4th place so far this season. The reward, for Evagoras, is there for the taking.
“Wherever that opportunity takes me, it's always just to be as successful as I can be, the best that I can and win as many races and championships as possible,” Papasavvas said.
Evagoras starts 2nd tonight in the first oval race of his career only a handful of miles away from his ultimate goal of racing in the Indy 500. You can watch him race live at 8:30 at https://www.usf2000.com/.