Photo by Colin Coleman
Sage Karam
*Updated 4/20
Sage Karam graced Lehigh Valley Style’s cover back in February 2016, when he sat down to talk to us about his life as a professional IndyCar driver living in Nazareth. Four years later, he has even more racing experience under his belt, but right now, because of the current pandemic, iRacing has his full attention—and the full attention of fans and sponsors everywhere.
All eyes were on Karam after he won the first IndyCar iRacing Challenge at Watkins Glen International on March 28, and he’s continued to keep fans cheering from week to week. “It has been great to increase the exposure I am getting through sim racing, and [to] become more relevant in the racing community through this,” he says. “I was able to be featured on SportsCenter a few weeks ago, which was a dream of mine.”
NBC Sports called him one of the top virtual drivers in IndyCar, and Karam credits his success to hours and hours of practice and dedication, as he’s been sim racing since 2007. “I have been on the program for many years and am part of professional sim racing team Coanda Simsport, who have pushed me a lot through the last few years to get better,” he says. “I love to compete and to race, so when there [are] times I can’t physically be in a race car, because I run a part-time season, I use virtual driving to keep me motivated and focused towards my goals.”
And the victories are pretty exciting, especially now. “It is against the guys I race in a real IndyCar race. We are getting tons of spectators, right now especially with the situation we are in,” says Karam. “My sponsors and team have been really excited about it as well. I wouldn’t say I would take this over a real IndyCar podium, but it is definitely a close second!”
Recently, Karam, who is extremely close with the legendary Andretti family, even helped Marco Andretti get set up for virtual racing. “Marco has always been a role model for me growing up in Nazareth,” he says, “so it is cool to be able to help him out now, and return the favor.”
Karam says there are hundreds of tracks on iRacing to drive daily. On Saturday, April 18, he raced the virtual Twin Ring Motegi in Japan. “Many of my dream tracks are because of the fun I have had on them in races on iRacing,” he explains. “It is cool to be able to experience places all over the world from the comfort of my own home.”
His mindset going into the remaining races scheduled is to keep the car up front and keep being consistent. “I can only control my focus and speed so I am going to do my best to make my sponsors and team proud as we approach the second half of the season,” he says.
While Karam believes a lot of drivers have realized through this season how much fun virtual racing can be and all the ways it can keep them in a racing mindset, he is so excited to get back on the track. “I have a part-time schedule this year, which is more than I have done in the past few years, and that means I am one step closer to my dream of being full-time in IndyCar,” he says. “Just hoping everyone can stay safe and healthy, and we can come out of this stronger and ready to race.”
Catch up on some of Karam’s recent virtual races here, and tune into the IndyCar iRacing Challenge series every Saturday through at least May 2 online at indycar.com.
