Featured Racer: Carine Baker

 Team Viperizer Racer Bio 

Carine Baker

Name: Carine Baker                                                          

Birthdate/Age: April 1, 2006, 15 years old

Team/Crew Name: The Lugg Nuts Racing Crew

Team/Crew Member Names: James M. Baker, Janine Baker, Lucian (future crew member he's only 2), Jim W. Baker, and Hailey Bonnell

Home Track: Keystone Raceway Park

How long have you been racing? 5 and a half years

When does your season typically start and end? It starts in April and ends in October

How many races do you participate in one calendar year? The 2020 season I raced 19 races in one calendar year.

How often do you practice/train? I practice a good bit. I would say once or twice each week I practice for about an hour.

Why do you race? I race because I love the amount of excitement it brings me. I love the adrenaline rush I get going down the race track, but most importantly I love having fun and spending time with friends and family. 

What is your favorite racing memory and why? My favorite racing memory is when I won second place in Jr dragster nationals. This is my favorite because it was my first win in my second Jr. dragster. I was so excited for this weekend and it was amazing that I ended up winning second place. I dreamed about that moment I got to sit in the winner circle holding that trophy. I knew that even before the final race everyone was so proud of me whether I won first or not. I had so much fun that weekend and it was a very special weekend for me.  

What do you want to be when you grow up? I would love to be a mechanic for cars. I enjoy working on them so much already. My backup plan is to be a criminal profiler. I think psychology is fascinating. 

If you were a racing coach, what would you tell your driver? You don't have to win but just don't lose. Take a deep breathe, tune any distractions out, and whatever you do, don't let the race get to you. Don't overthink that racing tree and before the third amber light drops, lock your eyes on to it. 

If you could have a racing superpower, what would it be? I would want to be able to not red light at all. I would want to be able to pull of the perfect light every time. I would want the perfect light racing superpower. That would be so awesome! ...or I would settle for being able to have NOS on my car.

Featured Racer: Hunter McGary

  Team Viperizer Racer Bio 

Hunter McGary

Name: Hunter McGary                                                          

Birthdate/Age: 03/08/06

Team/Crew Name: Waterboy Racing

Team/Crew Member Names: James McGary, Colton McGary, Shelby McGary

Home Track: Little River Dragway IHRA

How long have you been racing? 2 years

When does your season typically start and end? February- December, Depending on weather

How many races do you participate in one calendar year? 30-40

How often do you practice/train? Usually when not racing we are testing. We ran down track last year around 275 passes

Why do you race? Because I like the competition and I meet a lot of friends.

What is your favorite racing memory and why? When I got the car and won my first race.

What do you want to be when you grow up? I'm not entirely sure, I'm still deciding, but I do want to keep racing.

If you were a racing coach, what would you tell your driver? I'll tell my driver to focus up.

If you could have a racing superpower, what would it be? Lightning quick reaction time.

Team Viperizer Newsletter August 2021

 

Featured Racer: Emma Gannaway

 Team Viperizer Racer Bio 

Emma Gannaway

Name: Emma Gannaway                                                          

Birthdate/Age: 16

Team/Crew Name: Gannaway Racing

Team/Crew Member Names: Emma Gannaway (Driver), Richard Gannaway (Crew Chief), Aaron Rees (Pit Crew), Bucky Mayfield (Sponsor), Tim Givens (Sponsor)

Home Track: Centerville Dragway

How long have you been racing? 8.5 years

When does your season typically start and end? March-June & August-November

How many races do you participate in one calendar year? 20-24

How often do you practice/train? Mentally: Daily; Physically: As often as my parents work schedules and the weather allow

Why do you race? I race for the thrill, memories, and friendships racing provides. I have always been a thrill-seeker, racing was a safe way to receive that thrill. I have made tons of memories at the dragstrip; including my first win and many after that, giving fist bumps to all racers after a race and teaching new racers. I have also made friends with many people at the dragstrip, not just JR dragster drivers, but more experienced drivers who have bettered my racing as well. The race track is my happy place. 

What is your favorite racing memory and why? My favorite racing memory is my first time in the finals. I had only been racing for about a year. I was in a starter car; I was not very experienced yet. On this particular day, I was cutting amazing lights and carried lane choice all day. I made it to the finals against the track champion. I completed my burnout. I was then prompted to shut off my engine. My drain petcock for my oil had broken and I was leaking oil. I did not get to complete that race; however, I had the confidence I had never had before. That race day made me believe that I could be a track champion one day. 

What do you want to be when you grow up? I want to be a pediatric physical therapist. My hope is that I can help kids achieve things they do not believe they can accomplish, such as racing, because of a physical disability. I also want to continue to advance in classes as a racer.

If you were a racing coach, what would you tell your driver? Winning is not the most important thing, sportsmanship when winning OR losing is. 

If you could have a racing superpower, what would it be? If I could have a racing superpower it would be to wish my competitor good luck telepathically as we stage. My other superpower would be to cut perfect lights every round. 

Featured Racer: Sam Arthur

 Team Viperizer Racer Bio 

Sam Arthur  

Name: Sam Arthur                                                          

Birthdate/Age: 12

Team/Crew Name: Arthur Racing

Team/Crew Member Names: Tim Jr. (dad), Brandy (mom), Bill Arthur (great grandpa), Janet Arthur (great grandma), Tim Sr. (grandpa), Brenda A (grandma)

Home Track: Crossroads Dragway (Terre haute)/ Lucas Oil Raceway (Indy)

How long have you been racing? 2021 will be my 5th season

When does your season typically start and end? End of March, 1st of April

How many races do you participate in one calendar year? Typically over 50

How often do you practice/train? Most days

Why do you race? For the friends, family and fun. I loving going to the track and my dad races as well. My grandparents and great grandparents come to most of my races. I have also made a lot of great friends racing. Especially in the Midwest Jr. Super Series. We travel to several different states and get to race. That's a whole lot of fun. 

What is your favorite racing memory and why? Winning in the loser's bracket was great and will always be a special memory. It was my first win, even though I didn't really win. Daddy was just as excited as me. We used the money to buy me a new motor. Now my dragster is faster.

What do you want to be when you grow up? I been thinking about it and I think I'd like to work with animals AND race. I love animals, except snakes and spiders. Driving, I mean racing a dragster is so exciting. The kids in my class think it's so cool. But, most important I do too. 

If you were a racing coach, what would you tell your driver? Stay calm, take a deep breathe and focus on the tree. That's what my dad always tells me every round. Also, always shake the other kid's hand and tell them good race. Win or lose. 

If you could have a racing superpower, what would it be? Always be .00 green

Featured Racer: Autumn Jones

 Team Viperizer Racer Bio 

Autumn Jones  

Name: Autumn Jones                                                          

Birthdate/Age: July 3, 2010 (11 years old)

Team/Crew Name: Making Memories Motorsports

Team/Crew Member Names: Nathaniel Jones (Daddy), David Jones (Pappy)

Home Track: KDS Motorsports, Kingston North Carolina

How long have you been racing? August 2020 to Present

When does your season typically start and end? Our season is April to November and then multiple off-season races. 

How many races do you participate in one calendar year? 26 at KDS plus other local tracks (Coastal Plains Dragway in Jacksonville North Carolina)

How often do you practice/train? If KDS is open for test and tune we go, we also have a practice tree that my daughter and I "play" on.

Why do you race? Racing is fun and exciting. It's something I do with my daddy. Pappy's always a part of it too. racing never gets old and there's coming to learn at each race. See, sometimes the track is different and daddy always makes sure I know the layout of the track (my safety is most important to him). I like doing something that's different. Not every 10-year-old kid gets to drive 50 or more MPH by themselves. Competing is great. Winning is awesome. Losing isn't the best feeling, but being happy for the winner makes great friends. I don't know the words to describe how it makes me feel, but it's something else!

What is your favorite racing memory and why? Winning in the loser's bracket was great and will always be a special memory. It was my first win, even though I didn't really win. Daddy was just as excited as me. We used the money to buy me a new motor. Now my dragster is faster.

What do you want to be when you grow up? I been thinking about it and I think I'd like to work with animals AND race. I love animals, except snakes and spiders. Driving, I mean racing a dragster is so exciting. The kids in my class think it's so cool. But, most important I do too. 

If you were a racing coach, what would you tell your driver? If I was a racing coach, I would tell my driver to imagine yourself winning. Concentrate on your driving and the Christmas tree. Try your best. Remember the safety is important. If you don't win today, there is always next time. Have fun. 

If you could have a racing superpower, what would it be? I'd love to have nitrous as a super power for my car. It would be so cool and I could go faster. It would also improve my chances of winning.

Featured Racer: Noah Peyton

 Team Viperizer Racer Bio 

Noah Peyton       

Name: Noah Peyton                                                           

Birthdate/Age: 12/08/09, 11 years old

Team/Crew Name: Peyton Racing

Team/Crew Member Names: Richard (dad), Silvia (mom), Ben(brother)

Home Track: National Trails Hebron Ohio

How long have you been racing? 4 years

When does your season typically start and end? April-November

How many races do you participate in one calendar year? Almost every weekend. We will be going to ECF and WCF as well this year. 

How often do you practice/train? Weekly just to keep up and try to better my reaction times

Why do you race? It's fun

What is your favorite racing memory and why? Going to ECF for the first time.

What do you want to be when you grow up? Top fuel driver

If you were a racing coach, what would you tell your driver? Relax and take a deep breathe before going into the beams. Go on last yellow.

If you could have a racing superpower, what would it be? Knowing what my car is going to run on every pass.