Team Viperizer Newsletter September 2021

Featured Racer: Jasmine Hatley

 Team Viperizer Racer Bio 

Jasmine Hatley

Name: Jasmine Hatley                                                          

Birthdate/Age: 3/18/2007 14 years

Team/Crew Name: Warlord Racing

Team/Crew Member Names: Tanya Ashley Eskew, Paul Fields, Paul Vinyard, Forest Fields

Home Track: Albuquerque Dragway

How long have you been racing? 2 Years

When does your season typically start and end? March-September

How many races do you participate in one calendar year? 5 or more

How often do you practice/train? A couple weekends each month, sometimes more

Why do you race? The reason I race is because I was always around people who were in the racing community, and I have always wanted to go fast. Once I saw a Jr. Dragster I knew it was fate.

What is your favorite racing memory and why? My favorite racing memory is the Las Vegas trip when I was able to race on a 4 wide track.

What do you want to be when you grow up? I'm not really sure what I'm going to do when I'm older, but I believe whatever I choose will be right for me. 

If you were a racing coach, what would you tell your driver? If I was ever a racing coach, I would tell my driver to have a "no emotion" approach to racing whether you lose or win. If you win that's great, but if you lose just know that was a collecting data and more seat time. Don't get upset from a loss, as it causes more drama than you ever need. 

If you could have a racing superpower, what would it be? if I could have a racing superpower I would definitely choose cutting a perfect light every time. 

Featured Racer: Trevor Bargeron

 Team Viperizer Racer Bio 

Trevor Bargeron

Name: Trevor Bargeron                                                          

Birthdate/Age: 1-2-07, 14 years old

Team/Crew Name: Bargeron Racing

Team/Crew Member Names: Chris & Leigh Bargeron

Home Track: Carolina Dragway

How long have you been racing? 6 years

When does your season typically start and end? March/Sept

How many races do you participate in one calendar year? at least 30

How often do you practice/train? at least once weekly

Why do you race? I enjoy racing and spending time at the track with my family.

What is your favorite racing memory and why? One of my favorite memories was when my parents bought me a brand new Mike Bos Car and I was able to design my own wrap scheme.

What do you want to be when you grow up? Of course I would like to be a professional racecar driver, but I would also like to be a firefighter like my dad. 

If you were a racing coach, what would you tell your driver? Concentrate on your light and drive it out the back door!

If you could have a racing superpower, what would it be? Being able to hit 000 light every time

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.