INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Unlike a majority of youth growing up, Eric Filgueiras has known what he’s wanted to do with his life since the age of 4. And it all started with a trip to the local racetrack. It was at Homestead-Miami Speedway where Eric’s father brought him to catch all the action of the CART (IndyCar) cars and drivers during testing and races. And it was there where a young Filgueiras would meet a driver competing for Chip Ganassi Racing by the name of Jimmy Vasser. 

Vasser was very friendly with both father and son, explaining his entry into the sport at a similarly young age, and talking about getting started through competitive karting. It wasn’t long before Eric’s father, Manny, purchased a used 50cc kart to begin practicing on. From the ages of 5 to 15, Filgueiras won different regional, national and grand national karting championships, even representing the United States twice in worldwide competition, and at the age of 16 moving on into car racing. Now at the age of 22, Filgueiras competes in the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda in the National Class for Spencer Racing, with strong aspirations to follow the Mazda Road to Indy path all the way to the Verizon IndyCar Series. 

Throughout all this time, Eric and Jimmy have never lost touch, with Eric always cheering for Jimmy through his career as a driver and now a car owner, and Vasser following Filgueiras’ rise through the ranks. With the opportunity recently to compete at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the first time in his racing career, the story came full circle. Seen with Eric’s first kart at the Speedway Museum (a display recreated from Race Rock Café in Orlando, Fla.) carrying Jimmy’s original Ganassi colors, along with the number 12, the two had a chance to reflect on their friendship and look toward the future. 

“It’s been spectacular to have someone with so much knowledge and experience with the sport to talk to and have guidance from along the way,” Filgueiras noted. “Being able to learn from one of the best is never a bad thing to have going for you!” 

Make sure to join Eric and Spencer Racing for Rounds 7 & 8 at Road America June 24-26.