Eric Leichtle
Race Engineer, No. 2 Hitachi Team Penske Dallara/Chevrolet
Eric Leichtle joins Team Penske for the 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES (NTTICS) season as the newest member of the organization’s engineering staff, having been named race engineer for 2017 & 2019 NTTICS Champion, Josef Newgarden. However, Leichtle is no stranger to the INDYCAR SERIES paddock, having worked with the Pratt Miller organization for over a decade.
While completing his degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Texas-Arlington, Leichtle was heavily involved in the school’s Formula SAE program, taking part in the design, build, and testing of 5 vehicles. After graduation he took a job with the renowned Pratt Miller organization in 2010 that employs their design, engineering and technology capabilities to an array of General Motors (GM) and Chevrolet motorsports programs in INDYCAR, NASCAR and IMSA.
Initially, Leichtle held the position of design engineer at Pratt Miller before transitioning to race engineer with Cadillac Racing from 2011-2016, helping the team claim back-to-back manufacturer titles in 2012 and 2013 in the Pirelli World Challenge GT Series. Cadillac Racing drivers also captured four-consecutive driver titles from 2012-2015.
From 2016-2018, Leichtle was a Design Team Lead on the much-anticipated Corvette C8.R that debuted in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, helping to prepare the 2020 Corvette Stingray for the racing environment. With the help of Leichtle’s contributions, Corvette Racing has captured 15 IMSA wins and two GT Le Mans championships.
Starting in 2018, Leichtle moved to the Chevrolet INDYCAR program within Pratt Miller, initially as a performance engineer before taking over the role of program manager for the Pratt Miller INDYCAR operation. It was in these roles that he worked closely with David Faustino and Ben Bretzman, engineers on the No. 12 and No. 3 Team Penske Chevrolets, respectively. When the role of race engineer for the No. 2 Team Penske Chevrolet opened up following the 2021 INDYCAR season, Leichtle was a natural choice to fill the role as he has extensive knowledge of what to expect when working for one of the series’ premier organizations.