In the high-stakes world of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, success is measured in thousandths of a second. While the drivers enjoy the champagne and the limelight, the true architects of their speed sit perched on the timing stands, dissecting data and making split-second decisions. Among the most respected voices on those radios is Kate Gundlach, a championship-winning engineer who has quietly become one of the most influential figures in American open-wheel racing.
Currently serving as a Race Engineer for Arrow McLaren, Gundlach represents a blend of technical brilliance and psychological intuition. Her journey from a garage in Pittsburgh to the top tier of motorsport is a masterclass in resilience, intellect, and the relentless pursuit of speed.
From Pittsburgh to the Paddock
Gundlach’s path to the pit lane was paved early. Growing up in a motorcycling family in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she was surrounded by the sights and smells of machinery. However, her transition from two wheels to four began in earnest at the University of Pittsburgh, where she studied Mechanical Engineering (Class of 2006).
It was in Pitt’s Formula SAE program—a student design competition that challenges teams to build a formula-style race car—that Gundlach found her calling. She didn’t just study engineering; she lived it, often prioritizing time in the garage over time in the classroom. This hands-on “baptism by fire” taught her the practical realities of racing: that a perfect design on paper means nothing if it doesn’t survive the track.
Climbing the Ladder
Gundlach’s entry into professional racing was anything but glamorous. Her first desk was famously a cardboard box at a junior formula team. She cut her teeth in the junior ranks, working with John Walko Racing in the Star Mazda Championship (now Indy Pro 2000), where she learned the holistic side of the sport—from data systems to budgeting.
Her break into the big leagues came with HVM Racing in 2012 as a data engineer for driver Simona de Silvestro. She later moved to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, refining her skills before landing a role that would define her early career: Assistant Engineer at Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR).
The Championship Era
At Chip Ganassi Racing, Gundlach joined the No. 9 team of the legendary Scott Dixon. It was here that she etched her name into the history books.
In 2018, Gundlach and her colleague Danielle Shepherd became the first female engineers to win an INDYCAR Championship. As the Assistant Engineer for Dixon, Gundlach was responsible for fuel strategy and systems analysis—critical components in Dixon’s famous ability to save fuel and win races on strategy. That championship ring proved that Gundlach wasn’t just a participant in the sport; she was a winner at its highest level.
The McLaren Chapter: Psychology and Performance
In late 2019, seeking a new challenge and a path to becoming a lead Race Engineer, Gundlach moved to Arrow McLaren. For five seasons, she served as the Performance Engineer for the No. 5 car, driven by the fiery Mexican star Pato O’Ward.
Her role with O’Ward went beyond physics. Gundlach has often described her job as partly “psychology,” translating the raw, emotional feedback of a driver into actionable mechanical changes. She became the “Pato Whisperer,” balancing his aggressive driving style with the technical discipline needed to preserve tires and fuel.
“Being a performance engineer is as much about psychology as it is about mechanics… She can decipher his body language and silences in a way that few others can.” — Pitt Magazine
In 2025, Gundlach took the next major step in her career, promoting to Race Engineer for the No. 6 Chevrolet driven by rookie Nolan Siegel. In this top-tier role, she is the shot-caller, responsible for the car’s entire setup and the strategic decisions made during the heat of the race.
Beyond the Telemetry
Gundlach is keenly aware of her visibility as a woman in a male-dominated field, though she views herself as an engineer first. She is a strong advocate for STEM education, working with programs like “Fuel the Female” and “Path to the Pits” to show young girls that there is a place for them in the paddock.
Her advice to aspiring engineers is rooted in her own battle with imposter syndrome. She encourages young professionals to ignore their “inner saboteur” and embrace the fact that no one is born knowing everything—the key is to ask the right questions.
Summary of Career Highlights
| Era | Team | Role | Key Achievement |
| 2012 | HVM Racing | Data Engineer | Moved into top-tier IndyCar racing. |
| 2014-2019 | Chip Ganassi Racing | Assistant Engineer | 2018 IndyCar Champion (with Scott Dixon). |
| 2020-2024 | Arrow McLaren | Performance Engineer | Multiple race wins; Indy 500 contender with Pato O’Ward. |
| 2025-Present | Arrow McLaren | Race Engineer | Lead engineer for Nolan Siegel (No. 6 Car). |
What’s Next?
Kate Gundlach is currently on the pit stand for the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. You can watch her call the shots for Nolan Siegel’s No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet in the upcoming races.