Jay Howard
A British driver who battled through financial hurdles to compete on racing's greatest stage, the Indianapolis 500.
Born 1981 (age 45)·British racing driver·Birthday: February 16·Millennials
Biography
Jay Howard's path in motorsport is defined by grit and resilience. Moving from karting in the UK to the fiercely competitive American open-wheel scene, he faced the constant challenge of securing sponsorship in a sport where funding often outweighs pure talent. His determination paid off with a full season in the Indy Lights series, where he clinched the championship in 2006. The pinnacle of any American open-wheel driver's career is the Indianapolis 500, and Howard qualified for the famed race three times, in 2011, 2017, and 2018. While a major victory eluded him, his repeated ability to fight his way onto the grid of the world's largest single-day sporting event speaks to his skill and tenacity. Beyond driving, he is deeply involved in driver development through his own racing school.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Jay was born in 1981, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Jay Was Born
The biggest hits of 1981
#1 Movie
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Best Picture
Chariots of Fire
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Jay's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1981Born
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1986Started school
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1994Became a teenager
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1997Could drive
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
1999Could vote
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Turned 21
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2011Turned 30
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2021Turned 40
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 45 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Indy Lights championship in 2006, earning a scholarship to compete in the IndyCar Series.
- Qualified and raced in the Indianapolis 500 on three separate occasions (2011, 2017, 2018).
- Founded the Jay Howard Driver Development program to mentor young racing talent.
- Competed in a variety of racing disciplines including Formula Ford, Star Mazda, and sports cars.
Did You Know?
He drove for the Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing team for his second Indianapolis 500 attempt in 2017.
Howard's 2011 Indy 500 car carried sponsorship from a video game, 'Rage by id Software'.
He is an ambassador for the charity 'Racing for Cancer'.
Before his 2017 Indy 500 run, he hadn't raced in an IndyCar event for six years.
“In racing, you fight for every inch and every penny to keep going.”
