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.