A 17-year-old Christopher Columbus High School senior from Miami became the second-youngest driver to win an Indy NXT car race this past weekend in Milwaukee.<\/p>\n
Max Garcia was back in class Monday morning, sitting in marine biology, less than 24 hours after crossing the finish line.<\/p>\n
“It’s just been kind of running around trying not to fall asleep in class today,” Garcia said.<\/p>\n
Garcia said he first got into a race car at 13, but was too young to compete in the first race of that season. He described a natural comfort behind the wheel at high speeds.<\/p>\n
“When I get into a fast car, everything slows down for me. It sounds opposite, but it’s something I have had my whole career. I jump into a car, and I can go 140. This feels great,” Garcia said.<\/p>\n
Ironically, street driving is a different story.<\/p>\n
“Oh no, it’s tough for me to drive on the street. I hate it so much, but I know there is more to lose. So we will get there when we get there, just drive the speed limit,” Garcia said.<\/p>\n
Garcia said the path to racing has required real sacrifice, but the choice was easy for him.<\/p>\n
“Racing, I have loved it my whole life, and I have loved it more than anything. It was a very easy decision for me to give up stuff to go racing,” Garcia said.<\/p>\n
His mother has kept him grounded throughout. Garcia said she has pushed school since he can remember.<\/p>\n
“She always tells me I can’t race forever,” he said.<\/p>\n
Back in the halls of Columbus, Garcia said the win does not change how he sees himself at school.<\/p>\n
“I walk through these halls, I am not an Indy NXT winner; I am just another kid who goes to Columbus,” Garcia said.<\/p>\n
Before racing became his focus, Garcia said he had other ambitions.<\/p>\n
“Before I really fell in love with racing, I always told them I wanted to be a marine biologist,” he said.<\/p>\n