Jordan Missig Interview - Indycar Dad Podcast
About this episode
Jordan Missig, an Able Motorsports driver currently eighth in Indy NXT, talks about his unusual path to pro racing—starting go-karts at 18 after limited early access, then climbing through Radical, F4/FR Americas, and Pro 2000 before landing in Indy NXT. He breaks down why sim racing helps with track learning but can’t replace real-seat feel, and offers practical advice on when to move from karts to cars. He also discusses engineering, setup feedback, oval love, Detroit’s difficulty, fitness/diet, and the possibility of Able Motorsports entering Indy 500 talks.
The podcast episode features an interview with Jordan Missig, driver of the #48 care in INDY NXT, discussing his journey in the racing world. The conversation covers his early racing years, the role of sim racing, the transition to Radical cars and beyond, and the differences in driving styles between open-wheel and sports cars. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including the transition between different car types, performance and results, season progress and momentum, championship standings and potential, oval racing and preferences, favorite tracks and racing experience, racing in Abu Dhabi and Radical World Finals, racing decisions and opportunities, Graham Rahal and racing experience, smart decision-making and mentorship, diet and fitness regimen, the hardest track and racing challenges, mindset and goal setting, diet and fitness routine, Able Motorsports and Indy 500, and acknowledgments and partnerships.
Takeaways
- Early exposure to racing influences a driver's career path
- Sim racing provides valuable experience and track familiarity
- Transitioning between different racing categories requires adaptation and understanding of driving styles Transitioning between different car types requires adjustments in driving style and technique.
- Performance and results are crucial for building momentum and achieving success in the racing season.
Chapters
- 00:00 Introduction to IndyCarDad Podcast
- 09:04 The Role of Sim Racing
- 19:41 Transition to Formula 2000 and Beyond
- 30:37 Differences in Driving Styles
- 36:28 Championship Standings and Potential
- 42:10 Smart Decision-Making and Mentorship
- 47:35 Hardest Track and Racing Challenges
- 57:41 Able Motorsports and Indy 500
Able Motorsports
"Indycar Dad Podcast: ...Jordan Missig... He's from Able Motorsports and he's currently eighth in the standings... Jordan Missig: ...second full season running in the Indian X car with Able Motorsports."
Able Motorsports is the racing team Jordan is with. In racing, the team helps with things like car preparation and strategy, which affects how well the driver performs.
Able Motorsports is the team Jordan drives for in IndyNext. In ladder-series racing, the team’s coaching, car setup support, and race operations can strongly influence a driver’s development and results.
go-karts
"Jordan Missig: ...My first experience in a go-kart was five... Doing some basically some test laps... at the age of 18 is when I got in my actual go-kart start..."
Go-karts are the typical entry point for many racing drivers because they’re affordable, easy to run, and teach core driving skills like throttle control, braking, and racing lines. Jordan describes starting with test laps and later moving into competitive karting.
crash repairs
"...it's now costing you twice as much in crash repairs and bills. in a car, then it's going to cost you in a go-kart."
Crash repairs are the costs and work required to fix damage after an accident. The guest emphasizes that car crashes are more expensive than kart crashes, so learning in karts can reduce financial risk.
sim racing
"...where does sim racing fall into this? You're sim racing before then or after that?"
Sim racing is competitive driving in a video game simulator, often with realistic physics and steering/brake/throttle hardware. The guest discusses how it fits into driver development before and alongside real-world racing.
iRacing
"...before they kind of transitioned into iRacing. And then once we started doing that, we started racing on iRacing..."
iRacing is a sim racing website/game where people race online in realistic cars. It’s more serious than casual racing games and has leagues.
iRacing is an online sim racing platform known for realistic car/track physics and structured leagues. The guest describes transitioning to iRacing after earlier NASCAR games, then racing there before moving to real go-karts.
grip
"...the sim racing felt like you're on ice. It felt like you had no sense of feel, no sense of grip and all, and you would always just spin out and crash."
Grip is how well a tire can hold the road surface, determining how much speed and steering input a driver can use before sliding. The guest says sim racing felt like “no sense of grip,” leading to frequent spins and crashes.
muscle memory
"...understanding the new track layouts that they're going to get muscle memory, look for referencing points..."
Muscle memory means your body learns the movements from repetition. After enough practice, driving tasks feel more natural.
Muscle memory is the repeated physical learning that makes driving actions feel automatic over time. The guest credits sim racing with helping drivers build muscle memory for new track layouts and reference points.
SIM time
"⁓ but the SIM just does a good job of getting people out to speed, understanding what the track they're going to as a layout. It's not going to make you ⁓ tremendously a better racer, but it's going to get you at the speed."
SIM time means practicing in a racing video game or simulator. It helps you learn the track so you’re not starting from zero when you finally drive for real.
“SIM time” refers to practicing in a racing simulator (computer-based or motion simulator) before going to the real track. The goal is to learn the circuit layout and build familiarity so you can drive faster once you’re in the car.
aerodynamics
"…it's very similar to what the radical sports car was going to be like in terms of lifetime wise. [1770.4s] And it was just all about getting used to the power, the aerodynamics and everything else is going to be the exact same."
Aerodynamics in race cars refers to how airflow creates downforce and stability, especially at speed. The speaker groups aerodynamics with power as key things they needed to get used to when moving to the next car category.
track record
"…I have a radical that's set up strictly for the Audubon Country Club, and that's been like the fastest car around here for, I don't know, let's call it seven years now. ⁓ But it's been the exact same car that's been…"
A track record means the car has set the fastest lap time at that track. It’s a way to brag about speed, but it also shows the setup is working.
A track record is the fastest recorded lap time for a given car class or overall at a specific circuit. The speaker uses it to show the Radical’s performance and how often it’s been used locally.
downforce
"But you want to also, you know, understand now downforce and, you know, different kinds of downforce. You have side skirts, you have front dive planes now that you're dealing with, you're dealing with rear wings as well too."
Downforce is the “suction” from the car’s shape that presses the tires onto the track. More downforce usually means more grip, but you have to drive in a way that keeps the car working in the corner.
Downforce is the aerodynamic force that pushes the car’s tires into the road, increasing grip. The guest connects downforce to specific aero parts (side skirts, dive planes, rear wings) and emphasizes that downforce cars require commitment because grip depends on staying in the right speed/attitude through corners.
side skirts
"...different kinds of downforce. You have side skirts, you have front dive planes now that you're dealing with, you're dealing with rear wings as well too."
Side skirts are panels on the bottom sides of the car. They help the car “grab” the track by improving how air flows under it.
Side skirts are body panels along the lower sides of a race car that help manage airflow under the car. They work with the floor/diffuser to improve downforce by reducing air leakage under the chassis.
rear wings
"...you're dealing with rear wings as well too. [2095.5s] So you have different elements of downforce..."
A rear wing is the spoiler on the back of a race car. It helps push the car down onto the track for better grip.
Rear wings are adjustable or fixed aerodynamic wings mounted at the back that create downforce. More rear downforce can increase traction and stability, but it can also change rotation and balance through the corner.
engineer
"The engineer then kind of goes over with you saying, all right, we can do these kinds of adjustments. ⁓ It'll help you here, but it may harm you here."
An engineer is the person who helps set up the car and interpret what the driver is feeling. They use information from the track to suggest changes and explain trade-offs.
In pro racing, an engineer is responsible for translating driver feedback and telemetry into actionable setup changes. The guest describes engineers helping with corner-by-corner adjustments and warning that changes can help in one place while hurting in another.
wheel slippage or wheel spin
"Whereas on the sports car side, you want to be as straight as you can. So that way you're not getting any wheel slippage or wheel spin on the exit."
If the tires lose grip, they can slide or spin. That usually makes you slower and can make the car harder to control.
Wheel slippage (loss of traction) and wheel spin occur when the tires can’t transmit the commanded acceleration or braking force. In the context of sports cars, the driver wants to minimize these on exit to keep the car stable and fast.
top 10 finishes
"But yeah, I'd say, know, obviously with Arlington and then Barber, you know, we've now had three race streak of top 10 finishes. So that's been really good on us."
A top 10 finish means you finished in the first ten spots. Doing that often helps you score more points over the season.
Top 10 finishes are results where a driver places within the first ten positions. In many racing series, consistent top 10s are crucial for accumulating points and maintaining momentum toward the championship.
clean air
"Jordan Missig: ...just being flat out on an oval and just having to keep it pinned and just be more of, you know, kind of placing where your car needs to be, whether it needs to be a half a lane higher to get the clean air or you're chopping somebody's nose off if you need to."
Clean air means the car isn’t being “buffeted” by other cars’ wake. When you get clean air, the car usually feels easier to drive and more predictable.
Clean air is relatively undisturbed airflow around the car, which improves aerodynamic efficiency and downforce. On ovals, being in clean air can help the car feel more stable and make it easier to hold speed, especially in traffic.
Graham Rahal
"Jordan Missig: So ⁓ that wasn't part of me winning the championship in 2024 with Graham Rahal when I raced for his team."
Graham Rahal is an IndyCar driver and team owner, and his involvement is central to Jordan’s career decisions in the transcript. Team budgets, seat availability, and sponsorship influence which series a driver can afford to race in.
Porsche Gt Carrera
"...e car as I can tell you right now is a GT Porsche GT Carrera So he absolutely loves those cars ⁓ But from our ..."
The Porsche Carrera GT is a very high-end sports car made for performance. It’s the kind of car people talk about when they’re excited about rare, fast cars. It’s not a common daily driver—more of a special enthusiast car.
The Porsche Carrera GT refers to the Carrera GT model, a high-performance supercar built for serious driving and track use. It’s significant because it’s a rare, performance-focused machine that tends to attract enthusiasts who love advanced engineering and driving feel. In a podcast, it would come up as a “dream car” or a benchmark for what someone admires in Porsche’s lineup.
seat time
"Jordan Missig: All right. The funds are coming our way. Now we can, and with seats opening up, now we can kind of pinpoint how, when we can jump into any next car, get some testing done, then go do some races."
Seat time means how long a driver gets to actually drive the car during practice or testing. More seat time usually helps the driver get faster and more confident.
Seat time is the amount of time a driver spends in the car during testing or practice sessions. More seat time helps drivers learn track nuances, improve consistency, and develop confidence with the car’s setup.
paddock
"Jordan Missig: kind have to go back and forth from paddock to paddock. So at one point I'm going to the Radical paddock to go do a race. ⁓ Then I'm having to go to the Indy Next paddock."
The paddock is where the teams set up and work on the race cars between sessions. If you have to go back and forth, it can be stressful because you’re managing schedules and car prep.
The paddock is the area where teams park, service cars, and prepare for sessions. Moving between paddocks (as Jordan describes) affects logistics and timing, especially when drivers are competing in multiple series on the same weekend.
drivers meeting
"Jordan Missig: Then once that drivers meet or Indy Next drivers meeting, then once that drivers meeting is done, go straight to Pitt Road because my car is there for Radical practice and all that."
A drivers meeting is where race officials tell everyone the rules and safety details for the session. It’s like a quick briefing you have to attend before you go out.
A drivers meeting is a mandatory briefing where officials cover rules, safety procedures, session timing, and any track-specific notes. It’s especially important on busy weekends when a driver is juggling multiple series.
checker flight flies
"...until the checker flight flies and you cross the line, you just don't stop pushing."
The checkered flag means the race is finished. When it waves, you know you’ve reached the end of the event.
“Checker flag” refers to the finish signal in racing, shown as a checkered pattern. “Checker flight flies” is a colloquial way to say the race is over once the flag is waved.
Corvette
"...And I get to drive my car on the track. They have a, if you're a Corvette owner, they let you drive on it."
Corvette is a popular high-performance sports car from Chevrolet. The host is saying Corvette owners get special access to drive on the track.
The Chevrolet Corvette is a performance sports car brand that’s often used as a reference point for track-day experiences and enthusiast events. Mentioning Corvette owners being allowed to drive suggests a track-day or special access program.
camber
"...And the thing about the one wheel is it lets you know where the camber is, you know?"
Camber is how the tire sits relative to the road—tilted in or out. If it changes at a corner, the car can feel grippier or looser than you expect.
Camber is the angle of the tire relative to the road surface (how much the tire tilts in or out). Track camber changes can strongly affect grip and how a car rotates through corners, especially on uneven street surfaces.
eat like a driver
"Indycar Dad Podcast: I do these, I do these segments on my Instagram where I try to eat like a driver and I try to work out like a driver and then"
It’s basically a diet routine meant for race drivers. The idea is to eat in a way that helps you train and recover better.
The host mentions an Instagram concept of “eating like a driver,” meaning a diet approach tailored to how race drivers train and recover. It’s about fueling performance and managing energy intake rather than just eating casually.
work out like a driver
"Indycar Dad Podcast: I do these, I do these segments on my Instagram where I try to eat like a driver and I try to work out like a driver and then"
It means training the way race drivers do. The goal is to build the strength and stamina needed to handle racing.
“Work out like a driver” refers to training methods race drivers use to handle the physical demands of racing. In this segment, it’s tied to endurance, intervals, and strength work that supports driving under high forces.
don't eat fast
"Jordan Missig: Mm-hmm. So tip number one, don't eat fast. People tend to, when they're hungry, you know, eat very fast. And next thing you know, by the time you, like, let's say 20 minutes goes by, your brain then tells you you're full."
They’re saying slow down while you eat. If you eat too fast, you can end up eating more than you actually need.
The guest’s “don’t eat fast” advice is about pacing meals so satiety signals catch up. Eating quickly can lead to overeating before your brain recognizes you’re full.
trans fat
"Jordan Missig: So just kind of try to stay away from any of the trans fat stuff as much as I can. If I do have a cheat day or let's say I'm on the road or whatnot, yeah, there's going to be a couple of days where I stop for fast food stuff just because it's quick and easy."
Trans fat is an unhealthy type of fat. The guest is saying they try to avoid it for better heart health.
Trans fat is a type of dietary fat associated with worse cardiovascular health outcomes. The guest mentions trying to avoid it as part of a fitness and cholesterol-focused routine.
iron neck
"Jordan Missig: Even some neck training as well too. So I have myself an iron neck that I do a lot of neck training with can do about 85 pounds worth of weight that I can pull with my neck as well too."
It’s a tool for strengthening your neck. The guest uses it so their neck can handle the forces from racing.
An “iron neck” is a neck-training device used to add resistance for strengthening the neck muscles. The guest uses it to prepare for the high neck loads from sustained cornering forces in open-wheel racing.
no power steering
"Jordan Missig: ...For us especially because we have no power steering in our in our cars So when you're dealing with the wheel you're feeling all the little bumps the nooks the crannies of the track as well..."
It means the steering isn’t assisted by a power system. So you have to use more muscle to turn the wheel, especially for long stints.
“No power steering” means the steering system doesn’t use a hydraulic/electric assist to reduce effort. That makes steering physically demanding, especially over many laps and with heavy steering inputs.
IndyCar series
"...I'm starting out. This is my first year creating content for IndyCar. I only create content for the IndyCar series in its latter. And so you're my first driver interview..."
The IndyCar series is the top level of American open-wheel racing. The host emphasizes that the content is focused on IndyCar, and the guest’s career discussion is framed around IndyCar participation and progression.
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