Post by Joel Gish on Nov 24, 2010 16:32:31 GMT -5
ONE COURAGEOUS YOUNG LADY.....THAT HAS A BRIGHT FUTURE IN RACING
We have all sat in the stands, on hot summer nights. The smell of dirt in the air mixed with exhaust. Then comes the roar of the engines, as they round the corner...the race has begun! Have you ever wondered who some of the driver's are? Who is Triple Zero? Thats Stan Lewis aka "Mr. Excitement". But who is B57N?
I can honestly tell you B57N is my sister, Natasha Newman, but who is she really? My mother, Terri Newman asked me to write about her, as requested by Boomer himself. Ladies and Gentlemen its an honor to tell you about this special girl.
The day she was born my parents had her at Tri-state Speedway, in Pocola. I called her "Nat" Her tiny, fragile frame...she reminded me of a little nat with big eyes, but sweeter. She would sit in her carrier, next to mom. The sound of the motors, loud to most, soothed her to sleep. This became a Saturday Tradition in my family. Natasha has always been an outgoing person. She was brought up with the phrase "the sky has no limit".
One hot summer day, at the age of 7. Natasha became a huge fan of ministock No. 75, Kyle Ledford. Anxious to meet him, she was introduced. He became her role model. No one really knows what was said between the two. This little person, barely left Kyle's side during race season. He gave her the inspiration and courage to do anything her heart wanted.
At 8 years old she met Darwin Hale, another inspiring driver. Natasha has always been a tiny person, with a heart of gold. Everytime her favorite driver was near, her brown eyes sparkeld bigger than the sun!
Finally, at age 9 Natasha couldn't stand it anymore, she wanted to be just like her role models. When she told us she wanted to race...our jaws hit the floor! A few of us even stuttered a little. No one really knew what to say. We knew this day would come. The shock factor was her size, age, and her desire to be on a dirt track, in the middle of machines traveling approx. 80 mph or more! Scary stuff for a little person. She refused to take "No" for an answer.
My mother, Terri, gave Natasha the option to earn her chance. My sister, raised her own money and placed 2nd in Little Miss Tri-State Competition, accompanied by her star, Kyle Ledford. Nat also had to learn what it took to be a driver. She would spend countless hours in the pits with numerous drivers assisting and listening. She experienced the rush of a tire blow, engine malfunction, and the look on the driver's face with sweat and short breath of andrenaline, as they quickly tried to get back in the race. Nat even placed a car jack under Darwin Hale's car and raised it, during a "pit stop".
She finally got her chance, in 2007, at the age of ten. Ken Peterson found, Nat, her first ministock Dodge, donated by Alvin Moran. The whole family dressed the truck in black and green (inspired by Darwin Hale's modified no. B57). Nat chose chipmunks as her theme and the phrase "Git Munked" on the tailgate. Decals were sponsored by "Fat Cat Graphics". Many, many hours spent by her family hand painting most of her designs and sponsors. When we were almost finished, we approached Tri-State to enter her, in her first race. She was to be known as the youngest driver Tri-State had ever seen! And a girl! They frowned on the idea. Called Nat an insurance liability. My sister's heart sank. Everyone wiped her tears away. My mother told her "Sometimes in life when you want something bad enough, it takes an act of Congress to make it happen, we will keep trying".
We called everyone we knew, found the right "Racing Family" and learned that Crawford County Speedway was thrilled about Natasha! She was to have her first race July 16, 2009, her 11th birthday!
When you ask Nat what is was like to run her first race you get "I was excited to run, and I did it without crashing". My mother will tell you her first season was just to "break her in, give her a feel for the track". My sister survived it with a smile! Although we did come across many technical difficulties, but sometimes that happens.
This year is B57N Natasha "Nat" Newman's second year running. She got her first summer job, mowing yards to pay for pit passes and racing fuel. Her truck is decorated in red, silver, and blue. Featuring Disney's 'Lilo and Stitch Project: 626' as her theme. Her first day this year, was on July 17, 2010. So far, this season has been a gentle one compared to last. She only experienced a few problems, such as, a transmission bolt coming loose, brakes, and one dead battery. Nat's speed increases with every race, some may say her comfort level is settling in.
Natasha is happy to tell you she survived her first accident, when she was accidently rear ended by Charles Parker, Saturday August 21, 2010. He was extremely apologetic afterwards.
Natasha and Family would like send a warm Thanks and Sincere appreciation to everyone involved in making her dream possible. They are; Kyle Ledford, Darwin Hale, Alvin Moran, Richard Kunze, Donna and Dan "Chief" Bahr, Larry Campbell, Thurman Blanton, Scott Glover, Gina with TG Racing Photos, Fat-Cat Graphics, Amy Hale with A. Chartier's Embroidery, Gary and Cory Clark, Eric Beshoner, Ken Peterson, Ken Sturm, The Boyster Family, Victor Pinkerton, Michael Newman, Ricky Bartlett, and last but not least "Poppa" Eddy.
Nat would like to extend a special thanks to her FANS and FAMILY for supporting her, and believing anything is possible. Autographs are available...."Just ask me" she says.
We would also like to thank Boomer for allowing us to share her story. God Bless and we wish everyone a wonderful raceing season!
We have all sat in the stands, on hot summer nights. The smell of dirt in the air mixed with exhaust. Then comes the roar of the engines, as they round the corner...the race has begun! Have you ever wondered who some of the driver's are? Who is Triple Zero? Thats Stan Lewis aka "Mr. Excitement". But who is B57N?
I can honestly tell you B57N is my sister, Natasha Newman, but who is she really? My mother, Terri Newman asked me to write about her, as requested by Boomer himself. Ladies and Gentlemen its an honor to tell you about this special girl.
The day she was born my parents had her at Tri-state Speedway, in Pocola. I called her "Nat" Her tiny, fragile frame...she reminded me of a little nat with big eyes, but sweeter. She would sit in her carrier, next to mom. The sound of the motors, loud to most, soothed her to sleep. This became a Saturday Tradition in my family. Natasha has always been an outgoing person. She was brought up with the phrase "the sky has no limit".
One hot summer day, at the age of 7. Natasha became a huge fan of ministock No. 75, Kyle Ledford. Anxious to meet him, she was introduced. He became her role model. No one really knows what was said between the two. This little person, barely left Kyle's side during race season. He gave her the inspiration and courage to do anything her heart wanted.
At 8 years old she met Darwin Hale, another inspiring driver. Natasha has always been a tiny person, with a heart of gold. Everytime her favorite driver was near, her brown eyes sparkeld bigger than the sun!
Finally, at age 9 Natasha couldn't stand it anymore, she wanted to be just like her role models. When she told us she wanted to race...our jaws hit the floor! A few of us even stuttered a little. No one really knew what to say. We knew this day would come. The shock factor was her size, age, and her desire to be on a dirt track, in the middle of machines traveling approx. 80 mph or more! Scary stuff for a little person. She refused to take "No" for an answer.
My mother, Terri, gave Natasha the option to earn her chance. My sister, raised her own money and placed 2nd in Little Miss Tri-State Competition, accompanied by her star, Kyle Ledford. Nat also had to learn what it took to be a driver. She would spend countless hours in the pits with numerous drivers assisting and listening. She experienced the rush of a tire blow, engine malfunction, and the look on the driver's face with sweat and short breath of andrenaline, as they quickly tried to get back in the race. Nat even placed a car jack under Darwin Hale's car and raised it, during a "pit stop".
She finally got her chance, in 2007, at the age of ten. Ken Peterson found, Nat, her first ministock Dodge, donated by Alvin Moran. The whole family dressed the truck in black and green (inspired by Darwin Hale's modified no. B57). Nat chose chipmunks as her theme and the phrase "Git Munked" on the tailgate. Decals were sponsored by "Fat Cat Graphics". Many, many hours spent by her family hand painting most of her designs and sponsors. When we were almost finished, we approached Tri-State to enter her, in her first race. She was to be known as the youngest driver Tri-State had ever seen! And a girl! They frowned on the idea. Called Nat an insurance liability. My sister's heart sank. Everyone wiped her tears away. My mother told her "Sometimes in life when you want something bad enough, it takes an act of Congress to make it happen, we will keep trying".
We called everyone we knew, found the right "Racing Family" and learned that Crawford County Speedway was thrilled about Natasha! She was to have her first race July 16, 2009, her 11th birthday!
When you ask Nat what is was like to run her first race you get "I was excited to run, and I did it without crashing". My mother will tell you her first season was just to "break her in, give her a feel for the track". My sister survived it with a smile! Although we did come across many technical difficulties, but sometimes that happens.
This year is B57N Natasha "Nat" Newman's second year running. She got her first summer job, mowing yards to pay for pit passes and racing fuel. Her truck is decorated in red, silver, and blue. Featuring Disney's 'Lilo and Stitch Project: 626' as her theme. Her first day this year, was on July 17, 2010. So far, this season has been a gentle one compared to last. She only experienced a few problems, such as, a transmission bolt coming loose, brakes, and one dead battery. Nat's speed increases with every race, some may say her comfort level is settling in.
Natasha is happy to tell you she survived her first accident, when she was accidently rear ended by Charles Parker, Saturday August 21, 2010. He was extremely apologetic afterwards.
Natasha and Family would like send a warm Thanks and Sincere appreciation to everyone involved in making her dream possible. They are; Kyle Ledford, Darwin Hale, Alvin Moran, Richard Kunze, Donna and Dan "Chief" Bahr, Larry Campbell, Thurman Blanton, Scott Glover, Gina with TG Racing Photos, Fat-Cat Graphics, Amy Hale with A. Chartier's Embroidery, Gary and Cory Clark, Eric Beshoner, Ken Peterson, Ken Sturm, The Boyster Family, Victor Pinkerton, Michael Newman, Ricky Bartlett, and last but not least "Poppa" Eddy.
Nat would like to extend a special thanks to her FANS and FAMILY for supporting her, and believing anything is possible. Autographs are available...."Just ask me" she says.
We would also like to thank Boomer for allowing us to share her story. God Bless and we wish everyone a wonderful raceing season!