Aztec, NM (August 19, 2008)-Unlike many stockcar driver sixteen-year-old Alex Kennedy from Aztec, New Mexico loves road course racing! Saturday afternoon at Lime Rock Speedway Alex made his debut on a road course in the NASCAR Camping World East Series. He ran 11th in the Camping World West race at Infineon but this was his first race at historic Lime Rock. Driving for Spraker Racing Enterprises in the No. 37 car, Alex was quick right off the truck! The team decided to keep the car in race trim for the final practice run and Alex was still 15th quick with most of the other teams set up for their mock qualifying runs. Unfortunately just before qualifying was set to begin the rain started and would not stop forcing NASCAR officials to postpone qualifying and set the lineup by points. Qualifying is always important at tight road courses such as Lime Rock but Alex’s was still confident of a strong performance.
The double file start of a road course race is a nervous time for a driver starting in the middle of the pack. Alex Kennedy started 23rd and kept himself out of trouble in the early laps settling into a nice rhythm passing several cars in the opening laps. By the time a caution flag flew with 12 laps on the board Alex had worked his way up to 13th place. This would be Alex’s one and only pit stop of the day. After the pit stop Alex methodically worked his way through the field with the skill of a seasoned veteran and was up to 7th place when the rain began to fall shortly after the cross flags were shown to the field. An anxious Alex Kennedy kept an eye on the blue sky to the west of the track hoping for another chance to move forward in the field.
The sun returned to Lime Rock Park and the field was back under green! Alex quickly worked his way to the top five where he would stay until the closing laps. With just two laps to go the No. 8 car driven by Jeffrey Earnhardt over drove the corner smashing into the rear quarter panel on Alex’s Chevy sending him for a spin off course. Alex grabbed first gear and got back on his way without losing too much track position. The final laps saw Alex Kennedy drive his way back to a top ten finish! “I thought I had my first top five finish and then I got spun out,” said Alex Kennedy. “That’s going to happen in racing! My crew gave me a great car today and my spotters kept me out of trouble.” Next up for this exciting sixteen-year old youngster is the “Magic Mile” of New Hampshire International Speedway on September 12th for the Helluva Good Fall 125.
Sponsorship opportunities for next season are available to support Alex’s “Drive for Dreams” as he competes in the NASCAR Camping World East series full time for Spraker Racing Enterprises in 2009.
In 2006 Alex Kennedy was featured on ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” show interviewed by Mike Massaro for a special about young drivers. “I can’t drive to Sonic to get a cheeseburger but I can drive a racecar,” said Alex. Since that interview Alex has been named National Ambassador for Dream Factory Inc and became the youngest driver to post a podium finish in ASALMS history. Nicknamed the “New Mexico Rising Star” back at his home track of Sandia Motorsports Park, Alex has been signed by Spraker Racing Enterprises to their driver development program and plans to run for rookie of the year in the NASCAR Camping World East Series in 2009.
Alex Kennedy Passes Ricky Carmichael at Lime Rock
Sixteen-year-old driver Alex Kennedy has a dream to race in NASCAR. As he pursues his dream, Alex wants to make dreams come true for kids involved with Dream Factory Inc. Through his racing Alex will raise awareness of the Dream Factory Inc organization while also raising needed funds for chapters all over the United States. “I feel so proud to represent Dream Factory Inc and bring racing to these kids that don’t get to do the fun stuff I get to do,” said Alex Kennedy. Twelve-year-old Joey Lindsey from the Central Missouri Chapter is Alex’s number one fan!
PR Contact
Dennis Michelsen
Cell Phone: (847) 421-7571
E-mail: dennis@racetalkradio.com