Sting Ray Robb is one of four rookies in the NTT IndyCar Series this year, and he is loving every minute.
Robb made his way to IndyCar through its lauded feeder series program, and this year is racing at Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware racing alongside his sophomore team-mate David Malukas.
He took his time advancing through the ladder system with four years spent in Indy Pro 2000 and two years in what was known as Indy Lights, but at 21 years old, he is still the youngest rookie in the IndyCar field.
A hard crash at Texas and a mechanical DNF last weekend at Barber have not dampened his spirits, and he makes sure to take a step back every once in a while to appreciate that he has made it into the top level of open wheel racing that America has to offer.
“Unbelievable,” said Robb when asked by MotorsportWeek.com to rate his season so far. “I’m still figuring out if this is a dream or if this is the real thing.
“We had our IMS test not that long ago as well. It’s great when I’m on track and focused on what I’m doing, then I get out of the car and look back at what I’ve been doing and I’m like ‘Huh, that was really cool!’”
Robb believes that his position at Dale Coyne Racing is perfect for him, because his crew has been giving him exactly the type of information he needs at this point in his career.
Rather than expecting him to climb through the field from the outset, his team has been helping to guide his attention towards the important aspects of each race weekend.
That keeps at least some of the pressure off his shoulders, and has led to the Idaho-native feeling comfortable behind the wheel after just four races.
“One of the benefits of being with Dale Coyne Racing is that it is a little bit of a smaller team, so I can not be overwhelmed by everything that’s happening. I can still learn a lot of the individuals, and not get caught up in the data and whatever else there might be.
“For me, that’s been really beneficial. I am learning a lot from the team, I’m learning a lot about the options. You don’t know what you don’t know. So if you don’t know what to look for, you don’t know what you’re going after.
“They do a good job exposing me to everything that I need to be looking for on the track, what they can help me with in the car, and whatever else may be.
“It’s good to be in a place where I’m comfortable and I’m able to learn without the pressure of being with a Penske, a Ganassi, or something like that.”
The relatively spaced out beginning to the IndyCar schedule also helps rookies like Robb analyze their races and fully prepare for the next event. But with a few races under his belt, he’s ready to get into the fast-paced part of the season.
The IndyCar schedule really picks up now, with a full month spent at Indianapolis followed by races at least every other weekend throughout the summer months, to which Robb commented “Thank goodness!”
