IndyCar champion Scott Dixon visited an Arlington preschool, reading to kids and sharing racing gear as the city prepares for the Java House Grand Prix of Arlington.
ARLINGTON, Texas — In a preschool classroom, numbers are part of the lesson plan.
On Thursday morning, teachers counted 14 students gathered on a classroom rug. Moments later, the children were welcoming a special guest — six-time IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon.
“Welcome Mister Scott!” the students cheered as the driver greeted the class.
Dixon is in North Texas ahead of the inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington, where drivers will race through the city’s entertainment district this weekend.
“It’s exciting,” Dixon said. “I get to drive at 240 miles per hour and race on the streets of Arlington.”
But before climbing into a race car, Dixon made a different kind of pitstop — visiting a classroom at Child Care Associates in Arlington. The driver of the No. 9 car read to the preschoolers and asked them to count along as they followed the racing-themed story.
“We gotta count, OK?” Dixon told the class. “All lined up, 10 in a row — who’s ready to count?”
The visit is part of PNC Grow Up Great, a $500 million initiative focused on early childhood education and school readiness.
The students eagerly joined in. “1, 2, 3, 4!” the children shouted as the class counted together. After story time, Dixon showed the children the equipment he wears on race day — including his fire suit, gloves and fire-resistant racing shoes.
“It’s like pajamas, isn’t it?” Dixon joked as he showed them the suit. The children eagerly tried on his gloves.
Some of the young fans were already thinking about their own racing future. “
You have to be 16 to be in a race car,” one child said matter-of-factly.
During the visit, Dixon pointed to a model of the orange and blue car he’ll race this weekend. And as the class clapped and cheered, the driver summed up the story with a laugh.
“So the moral of the story is the No. 9 car won,” Dixon said. “And that’s my number.”