K&N Development Driver Kyle McGrady raced for the first time in the NASCAR Whelen All American Series at Irwindale, California.
The 16-year-old high school sophomore drove his family owned K&N Products Late Model Stock car on the half-mile track at the Toyota Speedway. The car ran great during Thursday’s test run.
McGrady qualified at 29 in a 32 car field and raced up to 15th place in his first 50 lap Late Model feature. The average speed over the weekend was around 93 mph. “But, they go faster,” said Kyle’s mother, Doreen McGrady. “The racing scares me to death. I never worry about Kyle, but I worry about the other guys on the track. We were hoping to make the race and bring the car home in one piece. Kyle got out there and impressed us his first time out in this series. Some people just have it and everyone says Kyle can race.”
The Hesperia, California resident is part of a very small group of young teenagers who can race mid to upper horsepower cars. He is also talented enough to win races on dirt and asphalt tracks. “We use K&N products in our race cars, tow vehicles and passenger cars,” said McGrady. “We are a big believer in K&N. K&N protects our engines and gives us extra horsepower and acceleration on and off the track. We are very proud to be associated with K&N.”
McGrady started racing at 8-years-old racing Jr. Speedway Sprints on dirt. At 10, he moved up to Mini-Stock cars and at 13 he started driving in the very competitive PRO-4 Division. “Kyle won Rookie-of-the-Year in 2007 in the Pro-4 Division,” said Doreen McGrady, Kyle’s mother. “He also finished 6th overall in points standings.”
This year McGrady will also compete at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale in the NASCAR Auto Club Series Rookie of the Year honors. His long term plans are to move up to the NASCAR Nationwide Series or the Craftsman Truck Series. In the meantime, he knows the importance of being in the National Honor Society and carries an A average in the classroom.
McGrady will race again at Irwindale on April 11.
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