Grant Mitchell hits 150 miles per hour on race weekends. Then he comes back to Lake Forest Academy and catches up on homework.

Mitchell, a junior at LFA (class of 2028), drives the No. 28 car for Zanella Racing in the USF Juniors Series, the first step in the USF Pro Championships driver development program that leads toward IndyCar. Through 13 of 16 races in the 2026 season, he sits 15th in the standings with 94 points, according to a profile in the Summer 2026 LFA Review.

His best weekend came at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Connecticut, in July, where he posted a seventh-place finish in round 12 and followed it with eighth in round 13.

The final three rounds take place Sept. 24–26 at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, a 4.014-mile, 14-turn road course Mitchell calls his favorite track.

From dirt bikes to open-wheel

Mitchell's path to single-seater racing was unconventional for the series. He grew up riding ATVs and dirt bikes, moved into online sim racing, then had a go-kart showdown with his father, Lance, that led him into competitive motorsports.

"I used to have a dirt bike," Mitchell told the LFA Review. "I wanted to try out a sport that was competitive outside of school."

He started racing at 15, enrolled in racing school and competed in the Skip Barber Race Series in 2025, finishing 12th in the standings, according to Feeder Series. An extensive testing program with Zanella Racing that same year led to his full-time USF Juniors seat for 2026.

Balancing the books

On a typical race weekend, Mitchell leaves Thursday and spends three days at tracks in Florida, Ohio or Wisconsin. LFA's Dean of Students office approves his absences, and his teachers adjust deadlines before and after each trip to keep him caught up, Mitchell said.

The academy allows students to pursue athletic opportunities outside traditional high school programs, including competitive dance, equestrian, sailing and auto racing.

What's ahead

Zanella Racing won both the USF Juniors drivers' and teams' championships in 2025 with Leonardo Escorpioni. The series champion earns a $249,675 scholarship to advance to USF2000, the next step toward IndyCar.

Mitchell isn't in title contention this season, but three races at his favorite track offer a chance to build momentum. Road America's Sept. 24–26 weekend closes the calendar.