A few years into Oliver Askew’s racing career, he skidded toward retirement. The sport had become too expensive for Askew’s family; after selling their boat and taking out a second mortgage on their home, they couldn’t afford to support their son much longer. That’s when he got picked up by the world-recognized Ocala Gran Prix (OGP) team, which would drive his racing career to places he could only dream of.
“Racing is one of the most expensive sports,” Askew says. “Once I joined OGP, I started racing nationally, qualifying for championships and meeting world-class professional drivers. It completely transformed my career.”
“My goal for the last decade has been to become an IndyCar driver,” Askew says. “Now I’ll be a rookie next season, which means I have to come up with a few more goals. Of course, I want to win a race, which would be a huge accomplishment. This racing series is probably the most competitive in the world.”
Born in Melbourne, Florida, and raised in Jupiter, Askew started racing when he was 7 years old after his father gifted him an afternoon of go-karting at the Palm Beach International Raceway.
“Racing doesn’t run in the family,” Askew says. “My dad thought it could be a fun father-son bonding activity. None of us knew it would lead to this, but my parents have been completely supportive ever since. They know how rare it is to find your passion at such a young age.”
About a year later, Askew started racing regionally and slowly progressed through local ranks. After he was picked up by OGP, Askew won numerous races and accolades, including a $200,000 Road to Indy scholarship, which earned him a ride in the 2017 USF2000 Championship.
Facebook Comments