Avon High School graduate Ike Coleman has always been a “car guy.” He grew up in southern Indiana and loved working on engines, but when the family moved to the Avon area, Coleman saw opportunities he had never considered.
“When I got exposed to all the racing companies and excitement here, I guess I became a hopeless addict,” Coleman said.
A work-based program for Avon High School seniors could help him with that. It’s an internship program that allows soon-to-be graduates a unique experience to explore what they want to do in the future and gain knowledge in the process.
With no motorsports background, Coleman began working with Avon High School teachers Adam Clark and Chris Hill — making dozens of phone calls, sending dozens of emails and talking to many people — before landing his first opportunity.
“Ike is simply outstanding in every way as a student,” Hill said. “He works hard, looks to learn the how and the why, not just memorizing information. He is a very kind and thoughtful student, and it’s extremely rewarding to watch a driven and focused student. He’s a great example of what can happen when a student takes advantage of their opportunities.”
That opportunity came by way of a national open-wheel racing team with an 80,000-square-foot facility in Brownsburg. The team recently announced a partnership with TJ Speed Motorsports to field a three-car lineup in the 2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy in New Zealand.
“This past year, I worked for HMD Motorsports, an Indy NXT racing team in Brownsburg. I think it was challenging. For the first few months, you’re really doing grunt work as an intern and, of course, I have a difficult course load at school and I was a team captain on the robotics team,” Coleman said. “I had to put forth a lot of effort to juggle all of that, but over time, I continued to progress and get into the shop more and more. It was a unique opportunity and I really wanted to make connections and learn more.”
All that hard work paid off. Coleman was recognized as Avon High School’s Work-Based Learning Intern of the Year this spring.
He’s been able to stay on at HMD Motorsports throughout the summer before heading to college. He may still be doing grunt work here and there, but Coleman is now traveling with the team and receiving more responsibility in the process.
“We loaded up and left for Road America in Wisconsin for five days. While we’re on track, I’m the tire specialist. I’m getting all the materials from Firestone, marking everything, organizing and taking temps and pressures and then communicating those with the engineer,” Coleman said.
He’s also traveled to Laguna Seca Raceway and the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Along the way, he’s learning things like carbon fiber bodywork, car setup and front suspension prep.
Back in Brownsburg, Coleman said each day is different. One day might be surface prep and clear coating; another might be helping with repairs.
No matter the task, Coleman is up for it and wants to continue to grow and learn during his time at HMD.
This fall, Coleman will head to Purdue University’s Indianapolis campus to major in motorsports engineering.
“It’s similar to mechanical engineering but with a more focused degree in motorsports,” Coleman said. “It includes more racing-based classes like vehicle dynamics and similar things.”
The once self-proclaimed “car guy” can now see himself with a future in motorsports.
“I see myself as a race engineer in the motorsports industry in 10 years or so. My current goal is NASCAR, but I want to do and be successful at as many different things as I can,” Coleman said.
He’s aware that he’s had plenty of help along the way and continues to look for mentors and those who push him to improve.
“I have had some amazing people who have influenced and supported me. They were integral in getting me to this position and I’m beyond grateful for them,” Coleman said.
Looking back, Coleman is grateful the high school provides an opportunity like the one at HMD Motorsports, and he encourages future high school seniors to take advantage of the program.
“My advice is to make connections, be persistent and work hard. Making connections is vital for both knowledge and opportunities. Being persistent in asking for those opportunities and staying motivated when the going got tough has allowed me to get as far as I am, and hard work is something that sets you apart and earns respect,” Coleman said. “I started out scrubbing floors and mowing grass, but I worked hard and earned the respect of the team, and that’s allowed them to trust me and depend on me — which just leads to more opportunities.”
