Special from 500 Sprint Car Tour (Wednesday, January 25, 2023) - Taylor Ferns (Shelby Township, Michigan) has made history throughout her career across multiple disciplines. From winning races on both dirt and pavement surfaces, series championships to USAC Silver Crown Podiums, Ferns continually proves to be a top talent in short-track racing. She now looks to add “500 Sprint Car Tour Race Winner” to her list of accolades, and solidify her place as a championship contender, as she commits to the full 2023 500 Sprint Car Tour racing schedule.
“Myself and my team have emphasized on going out, being consistent and winning races,” said Taylor Ferns. “We are all in. Last year was my first time back racing on a more routine basis, so I had to resharpen my skills in some ways. The 500 Sprint Car Tour is very competitive with 7 or 8 guys that are capable of winning at every race.”
Ferns competed in eight out of the nine races for the inaugural 2022 season of the 500 Sprint Car Tour. She compiled six top 10’s and two top fives, led some laps, and had an average finish of eighth in the eight races she competed in. Her best finish of fourth came on July 30th in the Inaugural Gene Nolen Classic at Anderson Speedway in a race where she started 14th. Ferns will not only be looking for her first podium with the 500 Sprint Car Tour, but will also be looking to add her name to the winners list in 2023.
“I am looking forward to returning to IRP (Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park),” said Taylor Ferns when asked about the 2023 schedule. “Because of a matter of circumstances, we have not been able to get it done there. I also had a lot of fun racing at Anderson in 2022, so I am excited to have multiple opportunities there in 2023. I am really looking forward to the entire schedule and all the challenges that come with it.”
Over the winter, Ferns moved her race cars from Michigan to East Central Indiana. This move will allow longtime crew chief, and former racer, Kevin Besecker to maintain her cars. This is a similar setup they had when Ferns raced full time in the past. She, too, will make the move to Indiana after she finishes her Spring semester of Law School to be hands on with the race cars and focus on her 2023 racing efforts.
In addition to committing to a full season with the 500 Sprint Car Tour, Ferns has also committed to running a full season with the USAC Silver Crown series. In recent years, Ferns had focused on the pavement races within the Silver Crown schedule. In 2022, she finished 10th in the season standings despite only competing in select pavement races. She will look to improve on her 10th place finish as she adds dirt racing back into her repertoire.
Off the race track, Ferns has taken on an ambassador role with Women in Motorsports North America (WIMNA). The organization was started by Ferns’ mentor, Lyn St. James, and Indycar Team Owner, Beth Paretta. WIMNA is a community of professionals devoted to supporting opportunities for women across all disciplines of motorsports. Back in October, the organization hosted the second annual Women with Drive Summit at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The symposium brought together some of the most successful and influential people in the sport.
“The group is enhancing the growth of females in motorsports for more than just drivers”, Ferns explained. “It has opened my eyes to positions in racing that I, otherwise, would have overlooked. I am excited to continue my partnership with them in 2023 and to continue the expansion of Women in Motorsports.”
Taylor Ferns will receive support from The Sam Bernstein Law Firm, Mobil 1, Motorsports Safety Group, “DRIVEN” by Dr. Jason Cormier, Dee Ford’s Bar & Grill, 8 Track Entertainment Co., Women in Motorsports North America, Simpson Race Products, METTEC, Indy Race Parts, Allstar Performance, FK Rod Ends, Vahlco Racing Wheels, Neal Metal Recycling and Demolition, Armstrong Farms, BEAST, Fatheadz Eyewear, Stanton Racing Engines, and Meadowbrook Web Designs.
The 500 Sprint Car Tour will run a 10 race schedule from early April through mid October. Nine of the 10 races are points earning events with the 75th Annual Lucas Oil Little 500 presented by UAW (Saturday, May 27th, 2023) being a non-points earning special event. For more information on the 500 Sprint Car Tour visit: 500sprintcartour.com and be sure to follow on social media (Facebook: 500 Sprint Car Tour | Twitter: @500SprintTour | Instagram: @500sprintcartour).
Story - 500 Sprint Car Tour Press Release
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