IndyCar Star Pato O'Ward Inspires Hundreds of Local Students at the Petersen Automotive Museum

April 19, 2024 by The Petersen Automotive Museum

Special driver celebration sponsored by Mission Foods featured a Q&A, interactive activities and more

NTT INDYCAR SERIES driver Pato O'Ward joined local students for a special Driver's Day celebration presented by Mission Foods at the Petersen Automotive Museum on Thursday, April 18.

Hundreds of children attended the event, including 250 students from Los Angeles Unified School District Title I schools and underserved communities for whom the museum provided buses. In addition to a fireside chat with O'Ward, the event featured interactive activities, lunch and a chance to take a photo with O'Ward's No. 5 Arrow McLaren IndyCar and a McLaren 750S. Museum admission was free all day for youth 17 and under courtesy of Mission Foods.

Following an introduction by Michael Bodell, chief operating officer of the Petersen Automotive Museum, O'Ward took to the stage to share insights and inspiration from his remarkable journey in the IndyCar Series and his role as a McLaren Formula 1 reserve driver with the young audience. O'Ward even answered a questions submitted by the students.

'IndyCar is the rawest and purest form of racing,' said O'Ward, who enters this weekend's Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach second in NTT INDYCAR SERIES point standings. 'To be honest, when you're a kid, it really is a dream to do this, and it's been a long journey.'

Juan Gonzalez, CEO of Mission Foods, presented O'Ward with the Petersen Automotive Museum Icon Award as a token of appreciation for his participation in the event. The presentation drew an enthusiastic round of 'Pato! Pato! Pato!' cheers from the students.

'I wish you good luck this weekend and the rest of the series to bring home the championship,' said Gonzalez.

O'Ward hits the track for the weekend's first practice session on the Long Beach street circuit on Friday afternoon. For more information about the Petersen Automotive Museum and upcoming events, visit www.petersen.org.