We will be increasing drivers spotlights during this craziness. Please complete and return the driver spotlight below.
Thank you so much!!
Driver Spotlight for Sunshine State Racing: Asphalt /Dirt
Name: Jordan “Pickle” Dahl
Hometown: Superior WI.
Home Track: Superior Speedway
Birthday: 06/17/1973
Class: V8 Bomber
Car Number: 13
History: When did you start racing and what did you start racing? Actually started racing a year and half ago in the V8 Bombers. However, I have been around racing at all levels from Dirt to NASCAR marketing companies with drivers, racetracks and race teams.
What is your favorite track to race at? 4-17 Southern Speedway – such a challenging track with having two different corners. If you can conquer 4-17 Southern Speedway I am a firm believer you can race anywhere and any track.
Who is your racing idol? Racing idols would have to my good friend Ron Hornaday Jr., Tony Stewart As well as my father which is where the orange 13 spade color scheme and number came from.
Highlight: favorite race win, favorite race etc. – still searching for that first win! But making strides. Favorite race for me so far has to be the last 100 lapper – had a really good car just needed a caution at the end to give us a chance.
People that help on your car: Jeremy Goddard, Bill VanDevender, Richard LaVance, Phil Sr and Jr Ellis, Dalton Ellis and a few others.
Sponsors: National Roofing, Melon 1, Schaeffer’s Oil, Prestige Speed & Fabrication, Speedway Motors, Backhaul McFall and PEM.

Driver Spotlight for Sunshine State Racing: Asphalt /Dirt
Name: Daniel Keene jr.
Hometown: Weeki Wachee
Home Track: Citrus Country Speedway
Birthday: 8/20/76
Class: Super/Pro late models
Car Number: 5k
History: When did you start racing and what did you start racing? April of 2001, Super late models
What is your favorite track to race at? Orlando Speed world
Who is your racing idol? Geoff Bodine
Highlight: favorite race win, favorite race etc. I don’t really have a favorite race win. I just love to win! The one race that stands out to me is winning the Clyde Hart Memorial
People that help on your car: Jake Bullard, Derek Desomma, Ricky Mitchell, and new crew chief Rick Knetch
Sponsors: Keene Services Inc., Crocketts Towing, M. Powers Construction, Citrus Tree Service, and Elite Auto Detail

Ken Kinney and Hendry County Speedway is not wasting the down time, while everyone is in self quarantine. He has reached out the the ones that matter the most to the race track, that being the drivers and the fans on suggestions on How he could make the track even more fan friendly than it already was. He asked for the advice and listened to what was given. From all the feed back he received, he has made the following changes listed below in a statement put out by Kinney. Make your plans now to head out to Hendry County soon to have an amazing fan and driver experience.

I got a lot out of the discussion that I started concerning moving the speedway forward. As in most discussions there are things that will be implemented immediately and some that will take time and some that just wont be. First the price for a pit pass for children 12 and under will be dropped to $6. One dollar of this goes to the drivers points fund. This will enable large families to bring their children into the pits. In addition all pit passes will now include a drink voucher allowing all who go in the pits to receive a free soft drink or water at the pit concession stand which will open at 4 o clock. In addition the 20 minute rule will be strictly enforced on all classes after the first caution with the clock only being stopped for a red flag. In saying this no gesture event will be cut below 10 laps due to time. In addition all classes with 6 cars or less will run only a feature. As it is agreed that fans don’t want 45 minute races they also do not want to see 4 car features. This will not include the open late models , open wheel modified s or Florida late models. We also have 100s of $10 dollar general admission tickets floating around Labelle at our local restaurants and in Okeechobee at tire zone. This will be greatly expanded and includes all special. We will now allow mail order tickets for $10 by mailing your checks or money orders to CST promotions, 891 c.r. 78, Labelle, Florida 33935. Please order a week in advance. There will be no will call only mail outside. In addition drivers you must be in line for your feature when the white flag falls on the previous feature. We will no longer wait for you. In addition personal coolers of up to 12×12 will now be allowed in the grandstands and we will see if our attendance goes up on regular shows. This part is on a trial basis only. We will see how it goes. There will be more changes implemented to enhance fans , drivers and crews to want to come to hendry county motorsports park on a more frequent basis. I am very encouraged with the car counts going up in most classes and appreciate both your kind words and constructive input. On behalf of my staff and myself we appreciate your input in helping to make the southern most dirt track in the USA a place to be.

Name: Johnny Marra
Hometown: Punta Gorda, Florida
From: South Bend, Indiana
Home Track: 417 Southern Speedway
Birthdate: 7/21/2001
Class: Pro Truck
Car Number: 99
History: Started Racing Go Karts at 6 Years old. Won Briggs Lite Championship at 7. Started racing mini cups at 8 Years old. At 11, Started Racing mini stocks. Won mini stock Track championship at Desoto Speedway in 2015 at 14 years old and won second mini stock championship the following year at Desoto Speedway in 2016 at age 15. Started racing Pro Trucks at 16. Still working on getting a win in Pro Trucks.
Sponsors: Charlotte Quality Tire’s, Punta Gorda,Florida.
Charlotte Quality Car Sales, Punta Gorda, Fl.
Horners RV/Auto Repair, Punta Gorda,Fl.
Why did you get into Racing? I got into racing because my dad put me in kart and I love to race.
What do you love most about the sport? I love to drive anything fast. I really enjoy the competition and enjoy the friendships we have made while racing.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Hard to say. I would hope to be racing at least Late models by then, maybe even a bigger class like a touring series late model or maybe even Arca, but that takes a lot of money and I would need to get a lucky break and have someone put me in a car.

There is a big youth movement right now in the local racing scene and that is a great sign to the future of our sport, but there is also still a lot of old school racers going out and having fun.

A few weeks ago I was stopped by Jesse Vargas before the races and he said come follow me, so I did. We went over to Tyler Vandevender’s pit area ( aka Bubba). When we got there Jesse said take our picture by his car this is history right here. I am the oldest guy out here in the field and he is the youngest. He also said even though I know he is going to kick my but, it is going to be fun racing with the next generation of racing.

I did not think a lot about it until I come across the picture today and I thought Jesse was right. What a Moment in time and a turning point in racing.

I am sure we are going to see Tyler accomplish great things and we also got to see him run with one of the older racers still having fun.

Enjoy the pictures of the young gun vs old school.

In case you missed it here is this weekends Racing Country Roundup, that was live on WAUC 102.1 FM The Outlaw.

Driver Spotlight for Sunshine State Racing: Asphalt: Chase King
Hometown: Bartow, FL
Home Track: Auburndale Speedway
Birthday: January 24, 2002
Class: Pro Truck
Car Number: 24
History: I started racing dirt karts when I was 4 and just recently moved to the Pro Trucks in November of 2019! What is your favorite track to race at? Showtime Speedway because of the worn pavement I feel it is more of a drivers track!
Who is your racing idol? Definitely my Dad. (Jamie King)
Highlight: favorite race win, favorite race etc. My first and only race as of now at Showtime Speedway on March 7, 2020.
People that help on your car: Wayne Morris, Brandon Morris, my Grandpa, and most importantly my Dad! Sponsors: Affordable Screen Printing & Embroidery, Bernie’s House Painting LLC, 1st Place Auto Sales, Autotech Collision Center, and AMF Chassis.

We will be increasing drivers spotlights during this craziness. Please complete and return the driver spotlight below.
Thank you so much!!
Driver Spotlight for Sunshine State Racing: Asphalt /Dirt

Name: Adam Briggs

Hometown:Lakeland, Fl

Home Track: Auburndale

Birthday: 5/9/2001

Class: Sportsman/Truck

Car Number: 14

History: When did you start racing and what did you start racing?
Started racing in 2015 in a minicup.

What is your favorite track to race at? Auburndale Speedway

Who is your racing idol? Joe Winchell

Highlight: favorite race win, favorite race etc.

People that help on your car: Travis Roland, Frank Briggs, Parker Galloway, Matthew Tackett

Sponsors: B&W Supply, Shifters Transmission,