By Dalton Lee, Baldwin Wallace ’11
If you were to meet Kyle Raineri, Oklahoma State ’17, during his time as an undergraduate, you’d walk away with the sense that he was a polite and charming young man, who is heavily involved within campus organizations. Raineri was a Business and Marketing major, and not only a member of the Oklahoma State lacrosse team, but an integral member of the Beta Kappa chapter of Phi Tau. First learning about the fraternity through a fellow member of the lacrosse team, Brady Friend, Oklahoma State ’16, Raineri would go on to serve as Rush Chair, Member Orientation Officer, and eventually Vice President. For the average undergraduate student, that would be more than enough to fill up a day, but there was an underlying passion Raineri felt he had to pursue. This unrelenting drive has propelled Raineri to where he is today, feeling it was his destiny all along.
Raineri’s car, Hyundai Veloster N TCR.
Working out of a small trailer with his father in St. Louis, Raineri began racing go-karts at the age of eight. The following years would see a swath of success, including three club championships and a third-place finish in the Midwest in 2012. Riding this wave, Raineri went on to compete in the Route 66 Sprint Series until leaving for Stillwater and beginning his undergraduate education. Throughout this short break from racing, Raineri felt a pull back to the track and back behind the wheel. This pull compelled Raineri to begin volunteering as a flagman at the Hallett Racetrack, which earned him free weekly track time—typically far too expensive for an average college student. Following graduation, Raineri moved to Tulsa for a try-out with a pro team, eventually going on to drive spec racer Fords for the Hallett Team. After a stint in Dallas, working as a marketer and engineer, and some time driving a Radical Cup prototype car, he was offered he shot at the big leagues. Chad Bacon, owner of CB Motorsports, recognized the talent and potential in Raineri and offered him a position on the team. Alongside teammate Caleb Bacon, Raineri made his debut in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge. Driving the Hyundai Veloster N TCR, Raineri will be competing in one of the biggest motorsport leagues in the United States—rivaled only by Nascar and Indy Car. The TCR class is comprised of some of the biggest names in the automotive industry, including Audi, Alfa Romeo, and Honda. The cars in this class are all front wheel drive, and unlike Nascar, the tracks all vary—mirroring the challenges of racing on open streets. The tour began in Daytona, goes as far West as Monterey, and ends in Atlanta. With regular crowds of 80-150 thousand spectators over the eleven-race season, Raineri is making a name for himself on one of the sport's biggest stages.
Raineri and fellow brother of the Beta Kappa chapter.
Despite his success, and the undoubtedly strenuous schedule of a professional driver, Raineri is able to keep the ties to brotherhood strong. Attending weddings of chapter brothers and making his pro debut in front of seven members of the Beta Kappa chapter. Striving to be one of the greatest to ever get behind the wheel, Raineri has set his sights on winning the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the 12 Hours of Sebring all in the same year. Join us in congratulating Kyle Raineri on all his success and wishing good luck for what is sure to be an illustrious career. If you’d like to stay up to date on Raineri’s progress through this season, you can find a link to the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge page here. If you would like to find additional ways to support Raineri, you can contact him at info@kyleraineriracing.com or by clicking here.