2/24/2010
Sprint Source
Kyle Harris ready to lead Racing for the Troops into battle in California
[i By Bill Sullivan, Sullivan Images Media]
[b WEST SACRAMENTO, CA (2-23-10)] - Just one month following the tragic loss of their beloved leader Steve Harris, the West Sacramento based Racing for the Troops sprint car team is gearing up mechanically and emotionally to return to battle at the annual Mini-Gold Cup at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico.
As the entire team will don their uniforms with heavy hearts, the youngest active member of their troop will be carrying the biggest load on his shoulders as he lost far more than a team owner recently. But Kyle Harris is ready to follow the road his late father led him to during their final year together.
"Last year it felt like we were running in every different direction trying to do everything that we wanted to do. At times it was pretty challenging with racing and school and my Dad's illness," said Harris. "But my Dad taught me something. He taught me to slow down and look ahead to what the future holds. He believed I had a future in racing and I'm ready to follow that lead this year."
At just 56 years of age, Steve Harris lost a courageous battle with cancer in early February. A successful West Sacramento businessman, Harris had a love for supporting the active and inactive military. He also had a love for auto racing and he found a way to bring the two entities together with the Racing for the Troops Sprint Car Team.
The Racing for the Troops team consists of three talented sprint car drivers, 2009 Silver Dollar Speedway Champion Bobby McMahan; two time Civil War Series Champions Sean Becker and his own flesh and blood, 19-year old Kyle Harris who made his debut in winged sprint cars last season.
After advancing from a successful career in quarter midgets and micro sprints, Harris jumped into 410 cubic inch powered sprint cars full time in 2009, competing at Silver Dollar and various venues along with McMahan who shared his many years of victorious knowledge with the you8ng talent as they competed side by side throughout the season.
In the 2009 championship campaign at Silver Dollar Speedway, Harris had a strong first year showing with four top ten finishes in the year, one top five and three heat race wins. He finished runner up to the season Rookie of the Year title and joined his father at the stage of the season awards banquet. Steve was presented with the first ever Humanitarian Award by the track as a car owner who went to great extents to support sprint car racing while recognizing America's soldiers and their families in each and every event where they competed.
"I'm ready to get back on the track," said Harris. "I feel this is where my future is, in racing and I need to follow that. It's not going to be easy going back without my Dad but at the same time it's what he wanted and it's a great way to honor him for what he led me to."
Harris will return to the track he knows best for his first race of the year, the high banked Silver Dollar Speedway on the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds. The event is the season opening Mini Gold Cup, a high paying open competition event for 410 cubic inch powered sprint cars. He will be joined by the entire team as McMahan and Becker will join in the action. The team plans to travel to various venues throughout the year, many of which include the banks of Silver Dollar on Friday nights.
"For Kyle to advance as a driver, he needs to get out and race on different tracks and different surfaces," said McMahan, who will somewhat takeover as manager of the team along with the likes of Brian Sperry. "We think that's the best plan for us, a California Outlaw schedule is what we like to call it."
While Steve Harris will be sorely missed member of their team, the Racing for the Troops sprint car team is sure to succeed in 2010 as their leader's spirit will carry them to the forefront. Championship titles will not be the name of the game, winning races will be the number one focus for Harris, McMahan and Becker.
"If I could go out there and get a win for my Dad that would be huge," said Harris. "That would be a great way to honor him. I'm going to do what I can to do it. All of us are."
Steve Harris Racing and the Racing for the Troops sprint car team has a number of marketing partners for the 2010 racing season. Proud supporters of the team include World Environmental Energy Incorporated, C & H Service Disabled Veterans Enterprises, Benic Enterprises, Butler Built Seats, SS Racing, Art Enterprises and Redline Oil.
The team is proud to continue it's support of military veterans and active duty service members, educating the public on the needs of those returning from war and supporting activities which provide resources to America's active military, veterans and their families. Learn more about the team's mission or find out how you can become one of their marketing partners by visiting their website at www.racingforthetroops.com.
Submitted By: Bill Sullivan