Racer Bio: Kelley Wissing

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Kelley Wissing!

 Quick Facts

Name:  Kelley Wissing Age:     17 Hometown:  Magnolia, KY Home Track:  Ohio Valley Dragway and US 60 Dragway Team/Crew Name:  KWRacing                                  ^Click to follow her on Facebook! Team/Members:  Kevin (Dad), Christie (Mom), Allen, Katie (Sister), Ryan, Monica, Eddie, Bailey All About Kelley How long have you been racing? Since 2012 How did you get into Jr Dragster? Our family attended racing nights and events with a family friend that drag races motorcycles. At one event they were running the Junior Dragster Challenge. After watching that night, and several other events we attended, I began asking my parents to buy me a car. After two years of asking, we bought my first car. I had never even sat in a junior dragster until we went to look at the car we purchased. After my first pass down the track, I couldn't stop smiling and we've been racing since. What is your favorite thing about racing?  My favorite thing about racing is the family atmosphere. Yes, we're all competitors when it comes down to making a pass and winning races, but off the track we're there to help each other out when someone is in need and have fun as friends or family. What is your favorite track to race on?  Bristol Dragway What is one word that describes you best? Passionate What sets you apart from other racers? I go out of my way to help a fellow racer and anytime spectators are walking through the pits and they stop to look at my car, I try to answer any questions that they may have. I also love for kids to sit in my car or try on my gear if they stop by to talk with us. What are some of your racing accomplishments? 2018 -Win at Ohio Valley Dragway -Midwest Junior Super Series Race participant at Terre Haute -Huddleston Races and Eastern Conference Finals at Bristol 2017 -Finished 4th in points at US 60 Dragway   -Top 15 finish in points at Ohio Valley Dragway -Winner at Ohio Valley Dragway -Winner at US 60 Dragway -Runner-up at Ohio Valley Dragway -Three time runner-up at US 60 Dragway -Three time runner-up at Ohio Valley Dragway -Five time semi-finalist at US 60 Dragway -US 60 Dragway Bracket Finals participant -Carl Casper Auto Show participant 2016 -Finished 8th in points at Thornhill Dragway Jr Dragster Division -Runner up at Mountain Park Dragway -Two time winner at Thornhill Dragway -Two time runner-up at Thornhill Dragway -Semi-finalist at Thornhill Dragway -Bristol Dragway NHRA Eastern Conference Finals participant -US 60 Dragway Bracket Finals 2015 -Finished 8th in points at Ohio Valley Dragway Jr Dragster Division -Winner at Lake Cumberland Dragway -Winner at US 60 Dragway -Runner-up at Ohio Valley Dragway -Runner-up at I-64 Motorplex -Runner-up at US 60 Dragway -Twice runner-up at US 60 Drwagway -Twice semi-finalist at US 60 Dragway -Semi-finalist at Ohio Valley Dragway -Semi-finalist at London Dragway -Semi-finalist at I-64 Motorplex -Bristol Dragway NHRA Eastern Conference Finals participant 2014 -Winner at US 60 Dragway 2013 -Runner-up at Ohio Valley Dragway -Runner-up at US 60 Dragway -Twice semi-finalist at Ohio Valley Dragway 2012 -Winner at Tri-State Dragway What are your goals for this season? Finish in the Top 5 in track points at both regular season tracks - Ohio Valley and US60. What other activities do you enjoy outside of racing?  Swimming, singing in choir, spending time with my dogs and visiting with my family.

Racer Bio: Shawn Wilson

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Shawn Wilson!

 Quick Facts

Name:  Matthew "Shawn" Wilson Age:     10 Hometown:  Jefferson, GA Home Track:  Atlanta Dragway Team/Crew Name:  Shawn Wilson Racing                                  ^Click to follow him on Facebook! Team/Members:  Matthew Wilson (Dad, Crew Chief), Jacqueline Wilson (Mom, Social Media), AJ Wilson (Little Brother, Pit Crew) All About Shawn How long have you been racing? This is my 4th year and 3rd full season. How did you get into Jr Dragster? My family has a history of racing. My Grandfather has a super pro car, my Mom did juniors and pro car racing, and my Dad did go cart racing. What is your favorite thing about racing?  I get to see my racing friends/family, meet new people and go FAST! What is your favorite track to race on?  Bristol What is one word that describes you best? Outgoing What sets you apart from other racers? A never quit attitude and good sportsmanship What are some of your racing accomplishments? 2018 -Won the Jr. Challenge (Wally) at Silver Dollar -Two 1st place finishes -One runner-up -Several semi finals -Attended EFC and displayed/made an exhibition run at Southern Nationals -Ended season in 2nd in points 2017 -4th in points at home track -One 2nd place finish -Several semi finals -17 cars at EFC 2016 -2nd in points at home track -Two 1st place finishes -Two 2nd place finishes -Several semi finals 2015 -One 1st place finish What are your goals for this season? Track Points Championship What other activities do you enjoy outside of racing?  Golf and spending time with family and friends!

Racer Bio: Aiden Malek

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Aiden Malek!

 Quick Facts

Name:  Aiden Malek Age:     8 Hometown:  Beloit, WI Home Track:  Byron Dragway Team/Crew Name:  Malek Racing Team/Members:  Steven and Christine Malek, Grandpa Wescott All About Aiden How long have you been racing? October 18, 2014 was my first time down the track. How did you get into Jr Dragster? My mom raced Jr's when she was younger and both my Mom and Dad bracket race big cars. What is your favorite thing about racing?  Camping at the racetrack with my friends and family What is your favorite track to race on?  Great Lakes Dragway What is one word that describes you best? Inquisitive! What sets you apart from other racers? Very observant to what's going on around me What are some of your racing accomplishments? 2015 -Was able to learn to drive my car and watch the older kids race (first year with a JR) 2016 -Was able to get my first round win (participated in first official races this year) 2017 -Raced in 2 track points series at Byron Dragway and Great Lakes Dragway (first season competing for points) -Finished 1st place at Byron for 6 and 7 year olds -Was able to represent my track at the Race of Champions race at Kil Kare Raceway in Ohio -Tied for 1st in age group at Great Lakes Dragway with two 1st place finishes and two runner-up finishes at point races 2018 -Won first points race and trophy race of season at Byron Dragway -Two point wins, two trophy wins, and a runner-up finish in both the points race and trophy race -Captured points championship by holding the points lead from start to finish for the 6-11 age group What are your goals for this season? To qualify for the race of champions at our divisional race What other activities do you enjoy outside of racing?  I love to play hockey, baseball and go fishing. I also like to go snowmobiling, four wheeling and ride my dirt bike.

Racer Bio: Luke Wewer

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Luke Wewer!

 Quick Facts

Name:  Luke Wewer Age:     12 Hometown:  Scranton, AR Home Track:  Centerville Dragway Team/Crew Name:  Wewer Racing                       ^Click to follow him on Facebook! Team/Members:  Adam Wewer, Amanda Wewer, Bob Wewer and Joe Holt All About Luke How long have you been racing? This is my fifth season. How did you get into Jr Dragster? Family sport, my dad and grandfather have raced for years What is your favorite thing about racing?  Competition What is your favorite track to race on?  Centerville What is one word that describes you best? Competitive What sets you apart from other racers? Staying calm and even tempered no matter what round it is What are some of your racing accomplishments? -2 wins and 1 runner up through the first 4 points races this half -Currently points leader at local track -Youngest to win an all run bracket race at local track at 8 years old -Youngest to win an overall championship at 11 -Finished in top 3 in points every year What are your goals for this season? Points championship and running the western finals at Tulsa What other activities do you enjoy outside of racing?  Baseball and football

Racer Bio: Ava & Vince Tiburzi

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Ava & Vince Tiburzi!

 Quick Facts

Name:  Ava & Vince Tiburzi Age:     12 & 9 Hometown:  Ann Arbor, MI Home Track:  Summit Motorsports Park Team/Crew Name:  Team Tiburzi Motorsports                                  ^Click to follow them on Facebook! Team/Members:  Cary Tiburzi (Crew Chief) and Stacy Tiburzi (PR) All About Ava & Vince How long have you been racing? Ava:  This is my 3rd year. Vince:  This is my 2nd year. How did you get into Jr Dragster? Ava:  I have pictures of me at the track watching my Dad race when I was a baby. I begged my Dad for a couple years because we would see juniors at races for his car. My Dad wasn't sure he wanted to because he knew it would mean he would race his car less, but my Mom talked him into it. Finally 4 Christmas's ago, my parents surprised me with a junior dragster. Now my Dad says he likes racing our cars more than racing his own. Vince:  My Dad has raced since before I was born and my sister has been in juniors longer than me. What is your favorite thing about racing?  Ava:  Winning! Spending time with my family and the other racers. Helping my Dad teach my brother about racing. Vince:  Spending time with my family and dog and the friends I have made at the track. Also learning how to do better. What is your favorite track to race on?  Ava:  My home track. The people that work there and the owners are so nice and they treat us well. They put a lot of money into improving the track every year. Vince:  My home track. They are very nice there and are doing a bunch of things to make it nicer. They also have a pound of ice cream for $1. I get the rainbow sherbet.  What is one word that describes you best? Ava:  Hilarious Vince:  Nice What sets you apart from other racers? Ava:  I have had a lot of success racing. I have had other parents tell me and my parents what a good example I set because I do not brag or boast. Vince:  I am the shortest racer there. My Mom says I put the junior in junior drag racing. Sometimes when fans are walking around they can't believe I race my car and they talk to my Dad for awhile. What are some of your racing accomplishments? Ava: 2017 -1st year in 8.90 Intermediate Class in 2nd year of racing -Held points lead at SMP most of the year -Finished season in 2nd place overall -Two 1st place wins -Two runner-up finishes -Winner at Jr. Dragster Bonanza -Qualified for the Night Under Fire Shoot Out for the top 8 in points -Won the Jr. Dragster Bonanza at US 131 -Accepted to be part of 2017 Team Viperizer, a parts supplier   2016 -11.90 Novice Class in first year of racing -Attended Roy Hill Drag Racing School -Earned license in one day -Finished 3rd in the point series at SMP -Three 1st place wins at SMP -Three runner-up finishes at SMP -Runner-up in first ever heads up index race on a .500 pro tree -Runner-up in the Night Under Fire Shoot Out for the top 8 in points at SMP Vince: 2017 -11.90 Novice Class in first year of racing -One 1st place win at SMP -2 runner-up finishes at SMP -Winner at Mid-Michigan Motorplex (4th of July race) -Qualified for the Night Under Fire Shoot Out for the top 8 in points -Made it to the semi-finals of the Jr. Dragster Bonanza at US 131 -Won Best Appearing Car in Novice Class for the 2017 season at SMP What are your goals for this season? Ava:  To win the intermediate class points series at SMP, represent the juniors at the NHRA national event at SMP, do well at Bristol, get at least one corporate sponsor, be featured in a local newspaper, and help my brother have a more successful season. Vince:  I want to go on stage at the banquet. You get to if you are in the top 5 of your class. I also want to be invited to the NHRA national event at SMP. You get to go to that if you are in the top 2 of your class. What other activities do you enjoy outside of racing?  Ava:  I take volleyball classes because I plan to try out for my middle school volleyball team. I made the honor roll this year at school. Vince:  I play flag football and I am a boy scout. I mostly am a boy scout so I could do the Pinewood Derby!