NANKIN — Jacob Scott still has two and a half years until he’s eligible to obtain his driver’s permit.
But the Mapleton middle-schooler, who recently turned 13, already has years of (legal) driving experience.
Scott has been racing junior sprint cars on a quarter-mile dirt track for the past two years. Before that it was a go-kart, which the seventh-grader got around age 8 and raced a handful of times over the next few years.
His junior sprint car is slightly larger than the average go-kart. Its chassis is the same as a micro sprint car — the next step up from a junior sprint — and is powered by a nine horsepower Honda motor, Scott said.
Races run nearly every Saturday night during spring, summer and fall at Good’s Raceway in Deerfield, about a two-hour drive from Scott’s home near Nankin. The division he competes in ranges from ages 8 to 15.
Every so often a weeknight “test-and-tune” takes place, giving drivers a chance to practice without actively competing.
“Aside from that, you have to find your own places to practice,” Scott’s mother, Emily Scott, said. “That can be really hard because you have to have somewhere similar to the track conditions.”
There’s not many tracks that run junior sprints across the state, she said, which makes finding opportunities to race a bit challenging — and the two-hour drive to Deerfield all the more worthwhile.
Jacob Scott’s father and grandfather have always had a fondness for dirt track racing, Emily Scott said, a passion that’s been passed down across generations.
“I’d say the driving itself (is the best part),” the 13-year-old said.
A recent milestone included his first victory on May 30, also the summer season opener at Good’s Raceway. His best lap time of the 12-lap race was a 20.932.
“Just do it. Give it a try,” he said when asked what wisdom he’d share to those who may be interested in racing junior sprints.
The recent rebirth of the Mansfield Speedway has excited the Scott family. Not only is the commute to Mansfield much shorter than to Deerfield, but the dirt track events give Jacob Scott a glimpse at a potential future driving sprint cars.
He said he’s been to a few races since the Mansfield track began hosting events again.
His mother said she’s contacted track officials to inquire about — and advocate for — a future at the speedway that would include junior sprint events.
“We think it would be awesome to be able to race closer to home,” Emily Scott said. “There’s a lot of kids around here that would run it if Mansfield opened it up.”
Several layers to dirt track racing
When he can’t race his junior sprint in the winter, the seventh-grader plays basketball for the Mapleton Mounties middle school team.
But racing occupies his time during the other three seasons of the year.
Jacob Scott said there are several differences between driving a vehicle on a dirt track versus asphalt.
“Mainly just keeping the car and everything else clean,” he said when asked what the biggest difference is to him.
“(On turns) you are trying to keep it (the car) low and stay to the inside,” Jacob Scott said. “You can move them (another racer) out of the way or just get under them (when attempting to pass).”
Gear on race day includes a helmet and several pieces of special clothing, including a fire-resistant suit and shoes. A series of seat belts must also be buckled before the race begins.
The 13-year-old just recently crashed and flipped end-over-end during a race, but walked away injury-free.
“I kind of just closed my eyes and waited for it to be over,” Jacob Scott said of the wipeout.
The junior sprints are equipped with transponders to relay speed and lap times. The teen is averaging around a 21-second lap time, reaching speeds up to 50 miles per hour.
Each race is 12 laps and typically includes between eight to 12 racers, depending on the night.
Passing down the passion
Racing junior sprints has allowed Jacob Scott to bond closely with his father, Jeremy Scott, and his grandfather.
“He (Jacob) and my dad tore the car completely apart over the winter and painted it and sanded it,” Jeremy Scott said. “It keeps grandpa going, sometimes going too much.”
A video of each race is posted to YouTube by Dirt Racing Videos, giving Jacob Scott and his father a chance to watch and study the film together.
The races in Deerfield have created a race family of their own, too.
Both of Jacob Scott’s parents said the race community is very supportive of one another and gives the children an opportunity to meet other kids they may have never crossed paths with otherwise.
