Many people have a bucket list of things they would like to accomplish throughout their life. One of the items on my list was to work for the Andretti’s. I am fortunate enough to say that I can now put a line through that number.

If there is one thing I have learned within the last couple weeks, it is that we never know which journey life will decide to take us on. As many of you know, Andretti Autosport let me go two weeks ago. Not long after, I stumbled across the quote “My life may not be going the way I planned it, but it is going exactly the way God planned it.” Truer words have never been spoken.

While I never expected the recent changes to take place, I can only look back on the last year and be proud in all that I was able to accomplish. I could sit here and feel bitter or sad, but the experiences I had within the last year and the people I met would not allow me to do so.

Growing up a fan of IndyCar my whole life, I was ecstatic when the day came the summer after my freshman year of college that I got to intern at two INDYCAR races. That gradually led to one internship after another and before I knew it, I was moving to Indianapolis after graduation to work for Michael Andretti.

There are many memories that I will forever carry with me. One of the greatest moments of 2012 was standing on the starting grid before the 96th Indianapolis 500 was about to begin and Sebastian Saavedra (who I was doing PR for at the time) would soon take the green flag. My other favorite? Winning the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series Championship with Ryan Hunter-Reay at Auto Club Speedway. I’m not sure I can remember a day that was so long, yet so fulfilling for all that were involved!

When I look back on the memories that make me smile, it is often the people that were associated with them that I have to thank. There is one day last May that I can distinctly remember. I was sitting in the team hospitality area having lunch when Mario Andretti walked in. We all started to strike up a conversation, when people began to walk away and I was left with the legend himself. We were watching cars enter the track one-by-one to attempt to qualify for the greatest race of all time. Suddenly, I felt as if Mario was my own driver coach as he described in detail what the wing of the car should look like going through the turn. Priceless!

The other group of people within Andretti Autosport that have forever changed my life are the six drivers I worked with that competed in the Mazda Road to Indy. I have never felt more proud of an organization that promotes each of their personal talents at the goal of them becoming an IZOD IndyCar Series driver. If I was just one piece to that puzzle, that brings me joy.

While I’m not sure what will come next, I’m hopeful for the future. I have God on my side and loving friends and family that have shown endless support. This is just one hiccup in my journey. Lookout World!