From Ferns Racing PR
Shelby Township, Mich.—Dec. 11, 2011— Taylor Ferns has been part of a trio of historic nights this season, with two of those taking place in the “Racing Capital of the Word” — Indianapolis. First, she became the winningest female in USAC history on June 22 at the Indianapolis Speedrome. Then Ferns became the second female champion in USAC history on Oct. 15 when she clinched the 2011 USAC Mopar D1 Midget Series title, and most recently was among the largest gathering ever for the USAC “Night of Champions” on Friday, Dec. 9 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in downtown Indianapolis.
Ferns was honored as the 2011 USAC Mopar D1 Midget Series title during the 56th Annual USAC “Night of Champions” and also was one of four drivers to receive the inaugural eBay Motors PACE (Program for Acceleration of Championship Education) Award.
“It’s pretty special to win a USAC championship,” said Ferns. “To see the names of the drivers that have won titles with USAC over the years is amazing and it’s a very prestigious list to be a part of. It really means a lot to me.”
Ferns was joined on stage during the banquet by Lyn St. James, the 1992 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year and founder of the Women in the Winner’s Circle Foundation, as well as 2004 USAC Speedrome Midget Champion Sondi Eden, who was USAC’s first female title winner.
“It was special to get to celebrate with my family, team and friends,” shared Ferns. “My Mom and my sister were at the banquet and they usually don’t come to too many races. It was very special to have them there. My parents have always supported me in what I’ve done. It means a lot to them to win this championship and they are very proud of me. I can’t thank them enough for all that they do for me.”
The eBay Motors PACE Award was presented to Ferns by Famous Rhodes of eBay Motors. The inaugural PACE Award recognized four drivers, each under the age of 20, providing a monetary award to help each driver further their motorsports careers.
“In racing, every little bit helps,” noted Ferns. “The PACE Award will certainly help us next season with all of the racing that we plan on doing. It’s great that eBay Motors and the other sponsors have teamed with USAC to present the award and I am honored to have been one of the recipients.”
En route to claiming the USAC D1 title in 2011, Ferns made 16 starts, finishing in the Top-10 in each and every one of those races, with one win and six Top-Five finishes, including Top-Five performances in each of her first three starts of the season.
In 12 races on pavement in the Motor City Transport Inc. Beast with a Stanton Mopar engine owned by her father Jim, Taylor had an average finish of 6.1, while in four dirt events with the series piloting a Spike Chassis, her average finish was sixth. Ferns took the point lead for the first time in 2011 after her win at the Indianapolis Speedrome on June 22. She was then second in the standings for three races, before moving back into the lead on July 10, and would hold the top spot for the remainder of the season en route to capturing the championship, with veteran open wheel driver Kevin Besecker turning the wrenches.
“My crew chief Kevin (Besecker) did such a great job this year,” said Ferns. “He works hard in the shop day in and day out and is always very prepared when we get to the race track. He is a great person to work with and I learned so much from him this year that has helped me become a better driver.”
Ferns returns to action this coming weekend in the Motor City Transport Inc. Spike with the POWRi Lucas Oil Midget Series in the Battle at the Center on Saturday, Dec. 17 at the Mini Magic Mile at the Southern Illinois Center.