Photo Credit: Ashley McCubbin
After having success in the go-kart ranks, Jade Franklin is making the next big step in his young racing career, moving into the Super Stock division at Sunset Speedway.
Going into the season, the teenager is keeping his goals simple, looking to be fast each week and to “keep it all in one piece”.
“I’m hoping for Rookie of the Year this year, and top 10, maybe top-five in points,” he added. “A couple heat wins maybe.”
He has done a good job so far, posting his first career top-15 feature finish two weeks ago. He also led some laps in the last chance qualifier race, before completing the 10-lap affair in the third spot. The solid performance so far has been noticed by fellow drivers and fans, with people stopping by to offer compliments.
“After the feature last week, a guy came up to me and he said, ‘You’re doing really well out there. It looks like you’ve been out there for a long time.’,” Franklin said. “Pretty good to hear from them.”
The driver of the No. 31 Adco Tire & Auto Inc., Kings and Destination RV Super Stock got his start in go-karting, as a result of a friendship with current Sunset Speedway Limited Late Model competitor Jordan Latimer.
“They were into go-karting and got me interested and I thought I’d try it,” he commented. “I got my first go-kart, went out and practiced for a couple of years, and then raced when I was seven. Did pretty good that year for my first year and came out in my second year and got myself a championship in go-karts.”
