Nineteen-year-old Kershner of Hagerstown is the leading driver at Shippensburg Speedway, a dirt-oval track in southern Pennsylvania. Even if he doesn’t compete in the last race of the series Saturday, he has already clinched the track season championship.
How did you feel when you found out you would be the champion and gain your first title?
I know a lot of people never get the chance to run a race, let alone a championship. I just think it’s really something special. I don’t really think it’s set in yet.
What was one of your most memorable races?
The first one I ever won. I started first and led every lap and my dad started second and he finished second to me. … It was just a big accomplishment for myself just for the fact that while I was young I always watched my dad race.
How did your dad’s racing affect you growing up?
It really focused me towards cars and racing. Really most of my life growing up was basically based around either the racetrack or the garage. I went with him just about every night to go work on the race car. I was mostly younger — I was too young to get in the pit — so I’d have to sit out in the stands with my mom and watch.
Does the danger of the sport ever concern you?
I’ve seen people get hurt. I saw one guy get killed at a racetrack. It’s just one of the things that you can’t let in your mind because if you think about it, it’s just going to screw you up, it’s just going get at you and you just got to get your head out of it.
Who is your favorite NASCAR driver and why?
Kasey Kahne. I liked him whenever I was younger and I actually met him one time. I got to sit down and talk to him a little bit. Whenever he started racing he actually started out racing dirt track, too. – Anna Waugh
