Clayton Kennedy and his family are passionate about circle track racing!

They all help the No. 9 Late Model to compete.

“If my family didn’t come with me, I think that I would no longer want to race,“ said Clayton. “We all have fun together preparing for race day and also at the track.”

Each person has their specific duties. Clayton’s dad Chuck, a former Late Model chauffeur, is the owner of the No. 9 car and oversees the operation. His mom, Cheryl, mediates the differences of opinions between Clayton and his brother, Andy, on car set-ups.

Cheryl, an excellent cook, brings snacks to the speedway and on Tuesdays to the garage. An apple pie and vanilla ice cream might be on the menu. His sister Brittany washes the car, changes tires, air filters, does riveting and a multitude of other things. Steve Burke, Norm Grey, Jack and John Miller, are also a big part of the crew.

Clayton was born in October and was at the track the following April to watch his favorite driver, his dad, race. As a little boy, he spent a lot of time in the garage helping his father.

When he was12, Clayton began hounding his dad relentlessly for a go-cart. His dad caved and bought a cheap cart from the neighbors. Clayton did manage to win a couple of heat races in the four years that he was a contender.

In 2005, at the age of 15, without a driver’s license, Clayton and his dad pooled their money and bought an E-mod. They competed at the track five or six times and the following year, he ran 10 races.

In 2007 Clayton ran a full season and won the Pittsburgh Circle Track “Rookie of the Year” title. When he graduated from Mars High School in 2008, he bought his own E-Mod and motor. Clayton garnered three feature victories over the next six seasons.

In 2015, Clayton sold the E-Mod and his dad bought a MasterSbuilt Late Model Chassis and engine from Ricky Heim and he learned to race in that division.

“At first I hated it,” said Clayton. “I thought we had wasted our money. I had to learn to drive all over again!”

The next year, they purchased a rocket Chassis from Dan Angeliccio and Tom Kennedy Racing Engines, refurbished the Heim motor for its power plant.

“The biggest struggle I have had is the handling and reaction time,” said Clayton.

His goal is to finish in the top five in points and get a third or better in a feature event. Currently he is fifth is the Point standings with one more Fab Four night of racing.

It is a little tough to be a low buck race team and compete with high dollar competitors. If he hit the lotto, Clayton would like to be with a professional Late Model group and travel to various tracks.

Drivers who he has enjoyed watching over the years are John Flinner and Lynn Geisler. He looks up to and has a lot of respect for the way Geisler handles himself not only on the track, but off as well.

“Lynn is a stand up guy,” said Clayton. “He helps us as well as many other teams with spare parts, hoses and advice. He is like an ambassador in racing, and is an all around good guy.”

Clayton has developed a general contracting business and handyman service, CP Kennedy Enterprises. He hopes to grow his business for himself and his fiancé Lauren Burke. They will marry next July.

He will create his own little world that is separate from his racing family, but still includes them.

He said, “I will still be racing and look forward to the year 2018 to see what all it brings.”

Then and now

Racing historian Walt Wimer has been around automobile track circuits for decades.

He reports, “Back in the 1950’s many drivers raced four times a week. In 1952 Dick Linder competed in an amazing 152 races, winning 51 with the Palone Brothers V2. Today most drivers’ race a maximum of 20 times a season and few ever break the 10 features win mark in that time.”

In the 1950’s there were stock coupes racing that owners bought from junkyards with flathead or six-cylinder engines. Today owners purchase expensive race car chassis’ and the engines are built by professionals!”

Racing has evolved into a complicated, expensive hobby.

Carol Gamble is a racing columnist for the Butler Eagle