VICTORIA, BC. – Less than two months after attending the Finish Line Racing school in Florida, Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series competitor Crystal Kennedy was back on the track playing a 160+ kilometer-per-hour game of cat and mouse. The Edson, Alberta driver was at Western Speedway in Victoria, British Columbia where she participated in several on-track ‘chase’ sessions. “This was a very productive and challenging trip,” says Kennedy, “being on the track with Brandon and Darrell really opened my eyes as to where I’m at right now.”

BC racer Brandon Carlson and Darrell Midgley, the 2009 NPP Late Model Series Champion, each took turns setting the on-track pace for Kennedy to follow. “They got away from me every once in awhile,” admits Kennedy, “but overall, I’m pretty happy with how I did.” Kennedy meanwhile continues eyeing her racing calendar. “Reality is starting to set in with what’s just around the corner for me.” Although there are no confirmed dates, the 23 year old Kennedy still plans on making her NASCAR K & N West Series debut this year.

“The confidence factor is there,” says Kennedy, “racing with a bunch of cars doesn’t bother me. I just don’t want to be the one making a stupid mistake and being responsible for wrecking a bunch of them. Taking that next big step is getting a lot closer.” Darrell Midgley liked what he saw in his on-track sessions with Kennedy. “This was all about car control,” says the Western Speedway president, “she has a good solid base of racing experience already. The goal here was to get her a little more comfortable on the pavement. If you can be comfortable here [Western Speedway], you shouldn’t have any problems at other similar sized tracks.”

Kennedy has 85 NPP Late Model Series starts on the ‘dirt’ at 9 different race tracks. “Western Speedway is a very tough track,” adds Midgley, “it’s as flat as a parking lot but she was still putting down some pretty good lap times.”

2013 K & N SERIES WEST SCHEDULE
March 2nd – Phoenix International Raceway – Arizona
May 4th – Stockton 99 Speedway – California
May 25th – Brainerd International Speedway – Minnesota
June 7th – Iowa Speedway – Newton, IA
June 9th – Lebanon I-44 Speedway – Lebanon, Missouri
June 22nd – Sonoma Raceway – California
July 27th – Colorado National Speedway – Dacano, CO
August 2nd – Iowa Speedway – Newton, IA
August 17th – Evergreen Speedway – Monroe, Washington
August 24th – Spokane County Raceway – Washington
Sept. 14th – Miller Motorsports Park – Tooele, Utah
Sept. 28th – NAPA Speedway – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Oct. 12th – All American Speedway – Roseville, California
Oct. 26th – Kern County Raceway Park – Bakersfield, California
Nov. 9th – Phoenix International Raceway – Arizona