Page 22 - Jan 2019 IWMA Nation News interactive magazine

The Champion - Kercie Jung By: Linda Spangler
“The thing that sets me apart from any other racer is my dedication that I put into my car and racing” said Kercie. But, her story didn’t start out this way. She actually started racing a Mini Dwarf because at the time they wouldn’t let anybody into the pits that wasn’t racing. So, Brad, Kercie’s father asked a family friend to loan them their Mini Dwarf so she could be in the pits with her family. Kercie took a few laps in practice and decided it was too scary and it wasn’t for her. The next day was race day, Brad said they’ve paid for en- try fee and just go and try it. Little did they know that this would be Kercie’s first of her over 200 races too date.
Kercie’s dedication is what defi- nitely sets her apart from other racers. In her pink, with white letters Bandele- ro, which is colored after the breast can- cer awareness emblem in remembrance for her aunt who struggled with the cancer. She has proven she has the drive and determination that has created her a very successful racing career. With six years of racing under her belt she has over 100 wins, with 8 Track Champion- ships and a California State Champion- ship. Kercie has proven herself and her racing abilities so in 2019 she be making
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her Junior Late Model debut. Her goals are to race the LM and eventually race in the K&N West Series.
Derek Thorn, who races in the K&N West series, is one of Kercie mentors and inspirations. Kercie’s goals are to race with him in the K&N Series. When asked, Derek Thorn replied “Cir- cle track racing is a tough sport to break
Industry is looking for talented female competitors and she has proven so far that she can hold her own against any- one on and off the racetrack.” A race between these two would by far be an amazing story. A story that will unfold in the years to come.
Derek is right that Kercie comes from a great family of racers. Kercie’s mother Heather grew up around racing her entire life selling programs at the track at age twelve and working in the concession stands until the age of sev- enteen. She eventually ended up rac- ing one race in an Okie Bowl Hardtop when they were short drivers. During the interview Kercie told me the story of how her mother couldn’t even reach the pedals of the Hardtop so they had
to pad the seat with towels. During the race half the field wrecked and she was proud that her mother made it through and ended up finishing in 5th place. Kercie’s father also used to race an Okie Bowl Hardtop, but decided to concen- trate on his daughter’s racing career. Un- knowingly Kercie’s father inspired her to pursue her racing dream. She watched
into and get noticed by the right people. Kercie comes from a great family and has had a lot of success in everything she’s raced so far. She has the skills and drive to make it in this industry. This
him race the Hardtop one night and just sat back and thought “I just knew I could beat him.” Her competiveness shows in passion for the sport. Kercie’s uncle also raced for many years at Mesa Marin in a Late Model.