Wisconsin alumni Sundaramoorthy to carry Badger colors at Milwaukee Mile

The recent graduate – and lifelong Badgers fan – will sport a replica football helmet in his home state race

SPEEDWAY, IND. (22 Aug, 2024) – ABEL Motorsports driver Yuven Sundaramoorthy will fulfill every Badger fan’s dream next week, as the Wisconsin graduate puts on the famous white and red “W” helmet – though his playing field will be the INDY NXT by Firestone Milwaukee 100 at the Milwaukee Mile rather than the Camp Randall Stadium where he spent so many hours watching Badger football as a student.

Sundaramoorthy will join teammates Jacob Abel (Louisville, Ky.) and Taylor Ferns (Shelby Township, Mich.) at the Milwaukee race weekend. He was born in Oconomowoc, Wis., but his family moved to China for his father’s work when he was 3 years old. The family moved near Albany, NY when he was 10, but Wisconsin continued to hold his attention. So when the time came to choose a college destination, it was an easy call for the lifelong Badgers fan.

“My parents always bought me Badger stuff growing up because I was into the Wisconsin sports,” said Sundaramoorthy. “It was a faint memory for me, but growing up, I told everyone I was from Wisconsin. I knew I wanted to go to college there.”

Earning a degree in computer science late last year – and playing a significant role in the school’s third-place finish in the Formula SAE electric race car competition – Sundaramoorthy believes that technological innovations such as the hybrid engines currently employed in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES open the door for graduates with his background.

“Racing is becoming more and more technical, and I think that means that there’s an increasing connection between computer science and racing in general. Computer science makes the new technological pieces work as the sport evolves toward more of an electronic basis instead of mechanical. Add in the degree of data analytics, and the need for drivers to understand what’s happening and why, and that background becomes that much more important.”

Sundaramoorthy plans to cheer on the Badgers at as many games as possible, balancing racing demands with the football schedule – starting with August 30 against Western Michigan. To be able to put that Badgers helmet on at the Milwaukee Mile will check off a serious bucket list item.

“With the new Big 10, it’s one of the toughest schedules they’ve had in a while, especially with the Pac 12 teams joining – it’s a whole new ballgame. So to be able to put that helmet on myself, it’s going to be super cool and I’m really excited, especially getting to attend the game right before the race.

“I played football for a little bit in high school and I’ve been watching Badger games since I was super young, back when it was JJ Watt and Russell Wilson. This is definitely going to be a really cool experience, and I’m really excited to put that helmet on.”

ABEL Motorsports thanks partners ABEL Construction Company, Advance Ready Mix, Boyd Cat^®, S Team Motorsports, Quest Global and OMP for their continued support.

The INDY NXT by Firestone Milwaukee 100 takes the green flag Saturday, August 31, at 3:50 p.m. ET. The race will be streamed live in the U.S. on Peacock, while international viewers can watch via INDYCARLIVE, with INDYCAR Radio available at indycar.com and on Sirius XM.