ӣƵ student Olivia Parker named 500 Festival Princess
Olivia Parker, a ӣƵ junior from Lebanon, Indiana, majoring in exercise science, was recently chosen to be a 500 Festival Princess.
March 24, 2026
The virtual version of the greatest spectacle in racing is becoming the place where Wyatt Burton dominates.
On Feb. 26, Burton, a member of ӣƵ’s esports team, became the back-to-back champion of the second annual Collegiate iRacing League (CiL) 500, held on a virtual Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS).
The computer science and information technology major from Edinburgh, Indiana, has swept both races at the virtual IMS.
While he was in a neck-and-neck finish last year, he was more than four seconds ahead of his nearest challenger this time around. He also led the most laps and had the fastest lap.
“Usually there is a shootout at the end,” he commented. “However, I was able to break away from the draft and pull off my fuel strategy to win by the largest margin for an oval race in (the CiL’s open-wheel racing division).”
Love for the Speedway
Burton attributes his success at the virtual IMS to his love for the Indy 500 and IndyCar racing.
“I'm sure I’ve spent more time on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway than any other driver in the CiL,” he said. “It also helps that I seem to understand dirty air and aerodynamic balance better than most.”
“Winning the race in both of my attempts gives me a tremendous amount of confidence on ovals and allows me to believe I can compete with the best in the world!”
A win on March 5 at the CiL’s Birthday Boy Grand Prix put Burton in first place in the NAPA Longland Corp Formula College series, the CiL’s division for open-wheel racing. The series, which includes more than 30 racers competing on ovals, street courses and road courses, is halfway through its 12-race season.
In addition to the Indy Motor Speedway, races are held on virtual versions of the Grand Prix of Long Beach, Texas Motor Speedway and Watkins Glen International, among others.
Burton said the series is always looking for new drivers and encouraged anyone interested to contact him.
“I would be happy to help them sign up and possibly ‘coach’ them when necessary,” he said.