Page 20 - Jan 2019 IWMA Nation News interactive magazine

Allie Jung - A Racer and Zookeeper By: Linda Spangler
Allie Jung, at the mere age of only nine, and in third grade, knows what she wants out of life. She wants to be a successful racer that owns a zoo. Allie has been working on her racing career since the age of five in the Mini Dwarf Junior division. This amazing young racer already has three champi- onships under her belt and in 2019 you will find her racing in both a Bandele- ro and Mini Dwarf in the senior divi- sion. She has already raced at tracks like The Speedway at Willow Springs, Kern County Raceway Park, Rockyhill Speed- way, Bakersfield Speedway, and KCRP dirt track.
When asked what Allie likes about racing she didn’t even hesitate when saying “I really love racing because I get to be with my friends and fami- ly.” She is a very grounded for being only nine. Her mother Heather, when asked to describe Allie’s personality says
she’s either “Hell on Wheels going 90 miles an hour or sleeping. She also says she has the biggest heart and wants to help everyone. During the interview I asked Allie about her classmates and what they think about her racing. She re- sponded “some of my classmates think it’s cool and the others don’t think I’m old enough to race. At age nine she has many years to prove them wrong.
Inspiration is important to all successful drivers. Allie’s inspiration comes from her older sister, Kercie, who is stepping up to race in a Junior Late Model in 2019. Most racers come from a family of diehard racers who in- spire them to succeed. Allie’s family has that in spades. Allie’s father, mother and uncle and sister have a history of racing. Each of Allie’s family plays an import- ant part in her racing. Allie’s sister Ker- cie sets up her Mini Dwarf for the races by performing any maintenance like oil
changes, tire changes etc. Allie’s father, is her crew chief and works on anything major like engine swaps. Allie’s Pappa or grandfather also works on the major changes, loads and unloads the race cars and is an important part of Allie’s crew. Allie’s mother Heather buckles her into the car and runs Kercie Jung Racing and is in charge of the day to day functions like budgeting etc. When asked about Allie’s grandmother I was told that be- sides her mother Heather, Allie’s grand- mother is her number one fan and mo- tivator. Daryl Curtis is a family friend who promotes their Facebook site, takes tire temperatures, creates their artwork and videos, and helps out anywhere he can.
Every racer has their own race or races that they look back on and think that was just fun and they will re- member it forever. Allie’s favorite race was the fourth of July last year at KCRP.
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