When Forbes announced its annual “30 Under 30" groups on Tuesday, there was one auto racing representative in its sports category.
It wasn’t Chase Elliott or Kyle Larson. It wasn’t any of the increasing number of young drivers in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series or a driver in the Verizon IndyCar Series or Formula One.
The honor went to Julia Landauer, 25, a current member of the NASCAR Next program that highlights up and coming talent.
Landauer was named to the sports group, one of 20 categories, which Forbes says presents the “brightest young entrepreneurs, innovators and game changers.”
So incredibly honored to be selected as a @Forbes #30Under30 honoree!! Can't believe it, thanks for the recognition! https://t.co/NBldpblvwp https://t.co/eZcJWSK7KZ
— Julia Landauer (@julialandauer) January 3, 2017
A native of New York City, Landauer is fresh off her first season in the K&N Pro Series West, where she finished fourth in the final standings for Bill McAnally Racing. She is the highest-placing female driver in series history. Two days after Forbes’ announcement, it was announced Landauer will drive the No. 6 Ford for Bob Bruncati in the 2017 K&N West season.
“I’m really excited to take all I learned in 2016 and make a run for the championship in 2017 with Bob [Bruncati] and the Sunrise Team,” Landauer said in a press release. “It was a privilege to race for Bill McAnally Racing last year and I’m grateful to get another opportunity to compete for a championship-winning team again in 2017.”
Joining Landauer on the Forbes list is Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller, New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., and Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green.
With a less than 4 percent acceptance rate, Forbes claims its vetting process make it harder to be part of the “30 Under 30" group than it is to be accepted to Stanford University or Harvard. Landauer graduated from Stanford in 2014 with a degree from its science, technology and society program.
In December, Landauer was recognized by NASCAR as the top breakthrough driver in the K&N West.
Late last year, Landauer told NBC Sports what it’s been like developing her own brand, which has included giving a TEDx Talk and even appearing on “Survivor.”
“It’s great,” Landauer said. “Knowing that the work that I’ve done, the preparation that my family and I have done for 14 years now has value and creates excitement for other people is just fuel to the fire for making it bigger and better. It’s positive reinforcement that some capacity of what I’m doing is right and I just keeping running with it.”
