SHELBY TOWNSHIP, Mich. — May 29, 2014 — Atomic Speedway in Chillicothe, Ohio, is a great training ground for 410-winged sprint car drivers, with both high speeds and finesse required to navigate the high-banked three-eighths-mile. Taylor Ferns, who returned to the 900-horsepower machines for the first time in nearly four seasons this year, has quickly become acclimated to Atomic, having made a pair of starts at the track and will return again this weekend, as she continues to gain valuable seat time.
Ferns will make her third start of the season at Atomic Speedway on Saturday, May 31. The racing program for the 410-winged sprint car class will consist of hot laps, heat races and a main event.
“Atomic (Speedway) is a place that seems to usually slick off and you have to finesse the car,” said Ferns, who pilots the Jimmy’s Towing/Indy Race Parts Maxim. “That is something I am still learning to do in a winged car. At Atomic, I am able to work on that. It’s a track I really enjoy racing at and there is good competition there as well. We are looking to have a good run this weekend and start the summer on a strong note.”
The native of Shelby Township, Michigan, has made a pair of starts at Atomic Speedway this season. She made her 2014 debut in a 410-winged sprint car at the track on April 27, charging to an 11th-place finish, after starting 21st. On May 3, she finished sixth at the oval located in Southern Ohio.
“You always feel a little more comfortable when you go back to a track you’ve been to a couple of times,” she noted. “Having been to Atomic (Speedway) this year already, this time around in hot laps I can focus on what the car is doing, rather than getting used to the track. We’ve been fast both times at Atomic this season and just didn’t have luck on our side. I feel like we can run up front there and be a contender for the win.”
In her most recent 410-winged sprint car start, Ferns finished third at Butler Motor Speedway on May 10, in her home state of Michigan. She won a heat race to open that race night and paced the field for several laps in the main event, before taking the checkered flag third, despite having a flat right rear tire.
Ferns has made four 410-winged sprint car starts this season, earning two top-10 finishes, including a top-five showing. The 18-year-old led laps in her debut at Attica Raceway Park in Ohio, May 9, and the following night at Butler.
Ferns was set to race in the Hoosier Hundred for the Traxxas USAC Silver Crown Series at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis last week, but lost an engine in hot laps, which ended her night.
Along with competing in 410-winged sprint car races in the Ohio, Michigan and Indiana area, Ferns also is contesting the full Traxxas USAC Silver Crown Series calendar and select Honda USAC National Midget Series events on the dirt.
Taylor Ferns and Ferns Racing would like to thank their valued partners: Jimmy’s Towing Recovery & Transport, Indy Race Parts, Motor City Auto Transport Inc., National Auto Placement, Project Podium, Women’s Sports Foundation, Lyn St. James Women in the Winner’s Circle Foundation, FK Rod Ends, Lucas Oil, K&N Filters, Lansing Sanitary Supply (LSS), Simpson Race Products, ButlerBuilt, Allstar Performance, Stanton Racing Engines, Hoosier Tire Midwest, Race4Girls and Racing2Cure.
Keep up to date
For the latest news, results and information on Taylor Ferns and Ferns Racing and to view a full 2014 schedule, visit TaylorFerns.com. Follow Taylor on Twitter at @TaylorFerns and like her on Facebook.
