Steinbrenner Racing has announced the addition of Julia Steinbrenner as a co-owner, joining her brother, George Michael Steinbrenner IV, ahead of the 2022 NTT IndyCar Series season.
The team continues to partner with Andretti Autosport with the No. 29 Andretti Steinbrenner Autosport Honda driven by incoming rookie Devlin DeFrancesco.
Julia, who works as a Co-President of the New York Yankees Tampa Foundation and serves on a number of boards in the region, joins an outfit her brother launched in 2016 following a partnership with Andretti Autosport for the following season in Indy Lights – the top rung of IndyCar’s development ladder – with driver Colton Herta. The partnership elevated to IndyCar in 2019, with the first win coming in just its second-ever race with Herta at Circuit of The Americas.
Between both Indy Lights and IndyCar, Steinbrenner Racing has amassed 11 wins, 15 poles, and 32 podiums.
George IV and Julia are both children of the late Hank Steinbrenner – part-owner and former co-chairman of the New York Yankees in Major League Baseball.
“Not only am I excited to join forces with my brother at Steinbrenner Racing from a family perspective, but I also love the sport,” Julia said. “As kids, we not only grew up watching baseball, but we grew up watching racing as well. During the season, it was always on in our house. I’m immensely proud of what George has achieved so far with Steinbrenner Racing, and I’m looking forward to working together to further advance our program.
“I’ve learned so much about the sport since George started the team. I have been a part of the Yankees organization for eight years, and I hope to bring a lot of that experience into my role with Steinbrenner Racing.
“George and I work really well together, and we’re excited to continue to build Steinbrenner Racing and develop our own legacy within motorsports.
“The future looks very bright at the moment for our sport and our team. For our IndyCar program with Andretti this year, we have a great collection of partners for Devlin’s rookie season with a heavy focus on green tech industries.
“I’m really looking forward to working closely with our team sponsors and driving value and exposure for the brands that are behind Steinbrenner Racing in 2022 and beyond.
“IndyCar is making great strides at the moment. Obviously, Roger Penske has a tremendous legacy as a team owner, where that same passion by Roger and his people has already and will continue to raise the bar.”
On my way to @GPSTPETE for my @IndyCar debut. New car, new series, and new @Follow_SRacing co-owner in Julia Steinbrenner. Very excited ?
–#INDYCAR | #AllAndretti | #BornFast pic.twitter.com/MakX9Of8Nv— Devlin Defrancesco (@DevlinDeFran) February 23, 2022
With Beth Paretta entering Paretta Autosport Indianapolis 500 last year, along with Tatiana Calderon being among the driver line-ups for 2022 and numerous female crew members, the addition of Julia further aids a growing trend to breaking down the gender barrier.
“We’re seeing more women in all sports – not just in racing,” she said.
“We have a female manager in the Yankees system, there are female referees and coaches across many sports. The growing presence of women in sports shows that what you can contribute to your field matters more than your gender.”
“There are thousands of women like me that grew up loving this sport, and it’s very exciting to see more and more of us get involved across all aspects.”
Julia has partnered with her younger brother previously, co-founding the George4 Foundation in 2019, where she serves as the organization’s Executive Director.
The foundation’s mission is to make a difference in the lives of underprivileged and sick children and their families – and to make an impact in education, pediatric medical research, and the ongoing national hunger crisis.
“Julia coming on as a co-owner of Steinbrenner Racing is beyond exciting,” George Steinbrenner IV said.
“She has worked as Executive Director of the George4 Foundation and has grown her own passion for IndyCar in the years since Steinbrenner Racing started.
“She brings a lot to the table and only strengthens us as an organization. She’s someone I’m positive everyone in the paddock will know well in a short matter of time.”
