Sewickley's Charlie Knoll seeking to take next step in racing career

Dedication is one word that can be used to describe how Sewickley’s Charlie Knoll feels about racing. However, it does not fully address his love for the sport.

“It’s something I’m really passionate about, how much I love racing. I hope to do it until I die,” Knoll said.

From a young age, Knoll discovered racing. Since then, he has cherished every moment he spends on the track.

When he was 6 years old, Knoll began go-kart racing at the Pittsburgh International Race Complex. He started doing “arrive-and-drives” at the complex in Wampum, where drivers would simply show up to the racetrack and practice.

From there, Knoll proceeded through basic and advanced racing courses to earn a Sports Car Club of America competition license.

“You have to attend a driving school where they go over all of the basics, racing lines, flags and other things. Then, in the advanced class, you look at race craft, passing, how to become fast,” Knoll said. “Every(where) requires that you own one to race. You can get them as young as 14. I was the second (youngest) driver to get a competition license, after the son of a NASCAR driver.”

The 17-year-old driver has been competing in the Formula Enterprises 2 class sanctioned by the SCCA, traveling around the country to compete against open wheel drivers of all ages.

“Preparing all the time when it’s a super long drive and rest and all that can be very stressful, but I love it so much,” Knoll said.

He has recently secured victories at GingerMan Raceway in Michigan and Nelson Ledges Road Course in Ohio, while picking up a pair of wins at Pitt Race (Pittsburgh International Race Complex). Along the way, he has scored podiums to bolster his budding resume.

The next step for Knoll will be the most significant of his young racing career: entering into the IndyCar ladder.

The IndyCar ladder system starts with the USF Juniors and ends with Indy NXT. Drivers that win the championship at each rung of the ladder are awarded with a cash prize and scholarship to help them advance to the next level, all the way up to IndyCar.

However, Knoll is yet to be able to make that decision, keeping his future open with education in mind.

“I do plan on attending college. I’m not sure where. I would really like to move into the IndyCar ladder,” Knoll said. “I would like to make the jump there into IndyCar if I have the skill and ability, while also balancing an education.”

In the meantime, Knoll has had ample time to just focus on racing, notably Virginia International Raceway, detailing why his perseverance aligns with that track especially.

“It has a lot of elevation changes, technical corners, and speed that you have to trust the car. It’s a challenge mentally and physically,” Knoll said. “It’s a really long track and it’s a wonderful place.”

To prepare for races, like at Virginia International Raceway, Knoll begins the week before the event registering for the races and arranging travel and accommodations. He leaves on Thursday, so he can be on-site for practice Friday. Qualifying begins early Saturday with a smaller race that same day, followed by a larger race Sunday.

Knoll does not race on his own. For one, he has the help of his family supporting him.

“It’s really important to have my family involved, especially my dad (Chuck). He goes everywhere, I don’t go to a practice without him and only after a signature fist bump. He helps me with the things that are difficult for me to manage and I help him with the things that are difficult for him to manage.”

Additionally, in order to safely race, Knoll also has the Alliance Autosport team provide coaches and technicians that facilitate Knoll performing at his best on the racetrack.

“The team owner … is super helpful. (The team goes) through checklists to make sure that everything is ready, not an issue. They have a couple drive coaches and engineers. They reinforce the skills and practice.”

Whenever presented with the opportunity, Knoll has looked to refine his craft over the last seven years that he has been racing competitively. However, right after a practice session has been where Knoll’s tenacity has benefited him the most, giving him valuable insight for races he has ahead.

“I really like going over data after each session and I enjoy watching videos from the session before,” he said. “…Braking, accelerating, or car placement, just talking with the coaches about how much I can improve (is exciting).”