SHOOTIN’ THE SHIFT WITH KELLY KINGERY

JW Martin

When it came to Dale Earnhardt Sr., fans either loved him or hated him.

Kelly Kingery loved him.

Like thousands of other kids growing up, Kelly Kingery was Big E’s number one fan.

But unlike other fans, Kingery not only grew up watching racing, he was raised in racing. As a teenager Kingery worked on, in and under his relative’s racecars. During the week, he was a participant in his family’s local racing campaign. On the weekends, he was an observer.

But as much as Kingery enjoyed being around racecars, he wanted to be inside one. He wanted to emulate his idol.

Today, Kelly Kingery shares many similarities with his racing hero. Even though he races at a much lower level of competition than his idol did, Kingery shares the same passion his idol did. Kingery is a hard-charger, and he ain’t afraid to rattle someone’s cage.

And Kingery, too, drives a black racecar.

And although winless since 2005, Kelly Kingery and team number 4 are in position this season to do what Dale Earnhardt did seven times: win a championship.

JM: JW Martin

KK: Kelly Kingery

JM: First, talk about your new team-how did that come about?

KK: Bob lined it up in the latter part of the winter, right before the season started. We felt like Roger’s got a good location and a heckuva building, and he’s got a lot of good, experienced people…and I think Roger’s the best in this business right here. So that’s pretty much how he got nominated to do it.

JM: You’ve gotten off to a strong start this season; especially impressive because this is a new group of people working together. How have you guys managed to gel so quickly, and what do you think has been the biggest factor in speeding up that process?

KK: Well, I think we’ve got a real good car, and I got probably the best help I’ve ever had around me as a driver. So far the car’s had one bad night, and that was pretty much a problem on our half-we had an electrical problem on the car and it just killed it. But it’s [been] real impressive; these guys are probably the best I’ve ever seen in a Late Model series.

JM: Every driver’s biggest opponent this season has been the weather. How do you stay focused, and what is the biggest challenge competing sporadically like has been the case this season?

KK: I don’t know. When you show up with a fast car, it’s easier to stay focused, I’ll tell ya that. It’s kinda odd, it seems like I’ve been here twelve times this year, and we’ve only raced six. I think there’s been two different occasions where we had Philip [Morris] where maybe we had a shot at beatin’ him and the rain [came]. We’d probably be a little closer up in the points if there hadn’t been those two rain outs.

JM: Comparing driving styles, do you consider yourself closer to Dale Earnhardt or Mark Martin?

KK: Absolutely I’d have to say Dale Earnhardt on that one.

JM: When and how did you get your start in racing? Why choose this sport?

KK: Back when I was probably eight or nine years old was the first time I ever saw my uncle race. I’ve always been around the cars; my Dad had me workin’ on ‘em. And actually what sparked me to start driving race cars was I was personal friends with Tony McGuire, and I saw him on a TV race here at Motor Mile and I told my friends, I said ‘I’m gonna buy a car’, and I went the next day and bought a Chevelle. And that’s how it got started for me.

JM: Did you have any idols on the cup circuit growing up?

KK: Absolutely, I was the biggest Dale Earnhardt fan there was. If I missed a race, I had a Walkman in my ear listening to it, even at the beach.

-why Earnhardt?

I just always admired him. He was a hard-charger. I didn’t know who he was- I mean, I knew who he was, but I never paid much attention until he made the pass in the grass, and that’s what attracted me to him.

-On the flip side of that, did you boo anybody?

Not really. I never had that type mentality about it. I think they’re all very good drivers- the best in the country. So I’ve got respect for all of ‘em.

JM: You seem to have a stronger, more outspoken passion for this sport than others. How many off-track altercations have you been in as a result of on-track incidents, and is there one particular altercation that sticks out in your mind as amusing or entertaining that you can talk about?

KK: I wouldn’t call any of them entertaining. I mean, they might be entertaining for some of the redder fans, but as far as numbers…at Motor Mile, probably a dozen; at Calloway, probably about 24. I’d have to say gettin’ fingerprinted one night after being maced and drug out by handcuffs probably sticks out more than any of ‘em.

JM: It’s been almost three years since your last victory at MMS on July 23, 2005. Can you pinpoint the cause of that stat, and name one thing that will help you erase the slump and get back to victory lane this season.

KK: I think hooking up with Bob Unser is the key. Winning here has just been getting tougher and tougher because the competition is better. It gets better every year.

JM: Without a win, you still sit fourth in the standings. Do you think it is possible that consistency alone is enough to win a championship, or is a driver better served to be more victorious than consistent?

KK: I have to say that victories are what win championships. So I still got my work cut out.

JM: If you could only win one cup race your entire career, at what track would you want to win on and why?

KK: Absolutely Bristol, Tennessee, ‘cause I’m just a short track fan.

JM: Let’s say you’ve just won NASCAR’s Cup series Rookie of the Year and you’re going to the best restaurant in the world for supper. The folks in administration have set it up where you can choose any five people, dead or alive, to eat with you. Who would you chose and why?

KK: Um, that’s a good question. I’m gonna have to say my Uncle Allen, Dale Earnhardt- because I’d just love to sit there and pick his brain. Definitely Davey Allison. And I’d have to say Allen Kulwicki too, because I’m just a big race fan…and I’d have to take them guys to Hooter’s.