Every driver faces some sort of adversity at some point during their careers. For Keeton Hanks and his family owned and operated racing team, that adversity hit with the force of a sledgehammer at the ASA Late Model Series event number nine of the 2005 season. The Jennerstown (PA) Speedway up in the Laurel Highland Mountains of Western Pennsylvania is the site where Hanks and his Auburn, Kentucky based crew learned a lot about dedication and perseverance on race day!
The Auburn, Kentucky teenager, one of the coveted "Young Lions of the ASA Late Model Series", started 20th in the Tribune-Democrat 100 and at the end of the 100-lap feature around the .522 mile semi-banked paved oval, Hanks would earn the Randercar Chassis Hard-Charger Award from the ASALM Series with his ninth place showing. More importantly, he earned the admiration and respect of his peers; adults and teenagers alike with his performance!
During the morning practice session, Hanks cut a right rear tire and slammed the turn two wall. Hanks was just one of three drivers to demolish race cars during the morning practice session! While the other two drivers, Peter Cozzolino and Chase Austin simply unloaded back-up cars, the Hanks Racing Team didn’t have that luxury and were forced with the decision to fix the only car they have or load it up and make the 12-hour trip back to Kentucky!
"It was definitely a very challenging day for my crew and I from the time practice started." Explained Hanks as he talked about his hard crash in the morning practice session." On my second lap of practice, I was still getting my speed up, I went high into turn one to let a car go to the inside, I ran over something on the high side, cut the right rear tire, and hit the wall pretty hard." Continued Hanks.
After surveying the damage, Hanks and his crew of mostly family members, his Dad Charles or better known in the pits as C.K., Mom Jana, Sister Laura, as well as his crew chief, Brad Cook and crew member, Brian Hall all went to work on Keeton’s heavily damaged Chevrolet Monte Carlo. "My guys got it fixed to the best they could during practice and was even able to make a few more practice laps." He added. "I definitely have to thank some people for their help and filling our need of some parts: Bobby Stremme, Jason Dietsch, Bob Varney, Brett Piontek, and Kris Stump and all their crews. We couldn't have done it without those guys." Said Hanks in a show of appreciation.
Motive Gear Qualifying would be the real test and the 16-year-old driver qualified 20th out of the 28 cars on hand, just barely getting him into the show and not have to run the GM Performance Parts Shootout and further enhancing the chances of something going wrong with an already damaged machine. "We went out to qualify and only had intentions of just getting a time in so I could get starting points." Explained Hanks. "We qualified 20th, which was not good, but considering our day, I was pleased with it."
As for the race, Hanks, one of the "Young Lions of the ASA Late Model Series" showed the racing world he has the heart of a lion! The Auburn, Kentucky freshman started outside the 10th row in 20th spot and calmly picked off cars one at a time throughout the 100-lap feature. In the end, Hanks would finish a very respectable ninth and earning the Randercar Chassis Hard-Charger Award for the Tribune-Democrat 100 by advancing 11 positions!
"The race started and the car wasn't vibrating or anything, so I continued gaining positions fast." Offered Hanks as he talked about the 100-lap feature at Jennerstown. "The vibrations started about halfway through the race, but I tried to ignore them and just keep on. They didn't get too serious, so I was able to come across the line on the lead lap in ninth place!" Continued the teenager.
"A day like that can only make us stronger, and teach us how to overcome adversity on race day!" Added Hanks. "I really liked Jennerstown once I was able to get a hold on it, so my crew and I are smiling this week awaiting Sandusky!" He ended.
The 2005 season with the ASA Late Model Series is starting to wind down. Hanks maintain his standing in the Pat Bourdow Memorial Rookie title chase by remaining seventh in the freshman title chase. All of the family’s hard work all morning and afternoon paid off in the long run for the Bluegrass State team, Hanks climbed up one spot in the overall points chase to 12th! Just 64 points out of the top 10. His 12th place standing overall is out of 79 drivers who have earned points during the 2005 season!
The next event for the Keeton Hanks Racing Team in the ASA Late Model Series is on Saturday August 20th for the series inaugural appearance at the Sandusky (OH) Speedway in Somerset, Pennsylvania. The Domino’s Pizza 100 is race number 10 of 15 on their 2005 tour.
For the 2005 season, Hanks carries limited sponsorship on the side of his Chevrolet Monte Carlo from the family company, Hanks Construction Company as well as support from Mother’s Polishes-Waxes, and Cleaners, Lava Hand Cleaner, A.R.P. Aluminum Racing Products, Parrish Auto Parts, T.P.M. Environmental, Franklin Transmissions, Simpson Performance Products, and M.P.H. Motorsports Inc., are all on the side of his Randercar Chassis. In addition, Keeton and his family are heavily involved with the Shriners Hospitals for Children.
The Hanks Racing Team is still actively seeking sponsorship for the remainder of the 2005 season as well as looking ahead to the 2006 campaign. To learn more about Keeton Hanks, log onto his website at: www.keetonhanksracing.com
For more information about the ASA Late Model Series, log onto the series website at: www.asalatemodels.com
