Get To Know: Stefan Wilson – Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, Indy 500

There must have been 100 things going through his mind in the 2021 Indy 500, as he screamed towards pit road. As Stefan Wilson furiously pumped his brakes, his Andretti Autosport Honda refused to cooperate. Felt like his feet were pushing the pedals through the car tub.

Just 32 laps after his 3rd Indianapolis 500 had started, Stef Wilson’s day was done.

It was a cruel irony, really. The one time he needed to get something to stop, and it, instead, kept going. It’s the opposite of the way his career has treated him. Typically, every time he seemed to have something going, an invisible barrier would pop up. Stefan Wilson would carry on. He returned to Indy last year, starting 33rd and finishing 26th.

The younger brother of the late Justin Wilson, Stefan was born September 20, 1989 in Sheffield, England. At the age of 16, he began racing for his brother’s team  in the Formula Palmer Audi Autumn Trophy. He stayed with the series for two years, also ran in Formula 3, and came to the United States to race Indy Lights in 2009.

Wilson won races in Lights, despite driving for 4 teams in 4 seasons. Those barriers, you see? They kept popping up.

Like 2017. Stefan had a ride confirmed with Andretti Autosport- the team with which his brother was to spend the 2016 season before being fatally injured in August, 2015- but there was an issue.

In 2017, 2-time  time Formula One World Champion Fernando Alonso wanted to run Indy, but Michael Andretti didn’t have an available car.

Enter Stefan Wilson. The always likable, always accommodating Brit stepped aside and waited another year for his chance. A year later, he was leading the race with 7 laps left. He stayed up front for 3 of them, but damn that fuel light.

A barrier, again. He finished 15th.

Stef Wilson’s sponsor that year was “Driven to Save Lives”, an organ donor network that’s become close to his heart. Justin helped save eight lives through organ donation, so his little brother has taken up the cause.

He loves working with children, notably his nieces.  He also works with special needs children though TherAPlay physical and occupational therapy.

Married to Katie and the tallest member in the field at just over 6’3”, Wilson calls Indianapolis home.