Ladies and Gentleman welcome to another installation of Driver Q&A. I had the opportunity to interview Street Stock driver Jordan Atkins this week. Jordan currently sits fourth in points. Atkins has rattled off two top fives and three top tens in the first three races this season.
Q: What was it that got you interested in racing?
A: I practically grew up at Farmington Drag Way, so racing in general has always been a part of my life, In May of 2012 my dad and mom, wanted to change the scenery for me, and from that night on, I was hooked.
Q: Is there a certain driver or drivers (any division) that you lean on for advice? And what’s the best advice they’ve given you?
A: The two people that I lean on for advice is Amber Lynn and Ronnie Clifton. Amber Lynn has taken the time to walk me through different points on the race track as far as my entry, breaking points, roll length and exit. Now, I haven’t quite become a master from the words of wisdom by no means, but little by little I’m starting to pick up what she’s putting down. Secondly, Mr. Clifton has taken time away from his family to help set my car up on Thursday nights and I am so grateful he has faith in me. The best advice he’s given me is “you’ve got to be SMOOTH, and to remember, If you can’t get in, you can’t get off.”
Q: With the Street Stock 50 coming up, what would it mean to you to win it?
A: It would be awesome to just win in general, but If I so happen to win the biggest race of the year, I don’t think you’ll be able to wipe the smile off my face. I’ve still got a lot of learning to do, but my progression from last year to this year speaks for itself and people are talking. I’ve developed a lot more confidence in myself and I think that’s what I’ve been needing. It’s ME vs ME.
Q: Of all of your competitors you race against, who did you enjoy racing against most?
A: Out of all of the competitors that I race with, I would most definitely say my favorite is Donnie Martin. Martin has come up to me after every race so far this year and has congratulated me on my race performance. He is a true class act, and has raced me clean. I have a lot of respect for that man. I wish everyone would act like Donnie.
Q: Some drivers have a story behind the number they run, Is there a story behind the 23? I know you ran the 69 your rookie year.
A: I ran the number #69 last year out of respect for my former boyfriend, he is the one that gave me the opportunity to get started in the first place. Once, I purchased and took over ownership of the car, I knew I had to make the car more custom and meaningful to me. Number 23 has always been a part of my life, growing up I wore jersey number 23 because my mom actually named me after Micheal Jordan.
Q: Obviously, you have the same goals and expectations as every other driver. But is there one in particular goal/expectation you have set for yourself this season??
A: My main Goal is to JUST HAVE FUN, what most people don’t know is, I am an Sr. Operations Administrator at FedEX part time. I work 30+ hours at night just so I can race, while running my full time Auto Detailing business (Squeaky Clean Xpress) during the day. I definitely don’t get much sleep, and sometimes I think I’m crazy for doing all that I do for 20 minutes of fun, but It’s the love I have for the sport.
Q: Your uncle Stacey Miller(former Sportsman driver) has been helping you this season, how much does it mean to you to have him helping get your car dialed up? What’s the best advice he has given you?
A: It means the world to me that Stacey and team have stepped in to help me this year. He’s the only one in my entire family that has any experience with round track racing. He has taken me in with open arms and I couldn’t be more thankful. The best advice he has given me is “Just Drive, run your race, and give everything you’ve got for 300 seconds”.
Q: What would you say you enjoy most about racing?
A: I love the adrenaline and competitiveness of the sport. As I am a competitive person at heart.
Q: Seeing the success that Amber Lynn, Taylor Robbins, and Susan Kimel have had in their careers, how much does it motivate you to have your name mentioned in that category as those ladies are race winners at Bowman Gray?
A: I truly look up to all of those ladies, and It would be awesome, to be in that category, It’s not the matter of If, It’s when.
Q: You’re still early on in your Bowman Gray Street Stock career, could we possibly see you move up to another division in the future?
A: Possibly, I’ve got to master the division I’m in first, I’m still a rookie, I’m still learning, I’m still a few tenths off the pace and I’m going to make mistakes. My mind is only worried about the present time. Moving up may come up one day, but as for now, I think I’m right where I belong.
Q: After every race, fans line up at your trailer to get pictures, autographs, merch or just talk to you. How special is it to know you are a role model for people?
A: To be honest, I only have a handful of fans and I am grateful for every single one of them. I have yet to experience the large fan crowd.
Q: What is some advice you would give the young kids who are wanting to become a race car driver?
A: I would tell kids to follow your dreams, and work hard. It takes hard work, dedication, discipline and a positive attitude to get to the top, in business or in sports. With hard work and effort, you can achieve anything.
Q: How impressed are you with the amount of success you’ve had so far this season. With a 5th, 9th and 4th place finish. How much does it motivate you to go out there and perform knowing that the 50 lapper is coming up?
A: I am proud of how far I’ve come but I’m still not satisfied, the car has so much potential and I haven’t quite figured out how to use it to it’s max, but it’s coming, I seem to get faster and faster every week. The 50 lapper is like our features Daytona 500, I’m so excited, I just hope I don’t fall outta the seat. My team and I have a strategy, I’m pretty confidence we will be there in the end, It’s all about survival.
Q: Last question, it’s something I like to ask drivers. “If you could race against any legendary driver (BGS or NASCAR) who would it be?”
A: If I could race against anyone in the entire world, I would pick Tony Stewart.
I would like to personally thank my crew: Stacey Miller, Joey Miller, Brandon Gibson, Ronnie Clifton, Wendy Bonesteel, Robbie Shewsberry, Chelsea Quinn, Ashton Jones, and Kerrington Lawson (Mini Minion). Thanks to each and everyone one of you for what you do for me!
Lastly, I’d like to Thank My Sponsors!
A1 Pressure Washing and Gutter Cleaning
Squeaky Clean Xpress, LLC
Walk The Line Handyman Services & Home Remodeling
Your Favorite Realtor Joey Miller
MJ Printing & Graphics
R&M Roofing
Fleming Land Management
Clifton Plumbing Company INC
Apple Family Farms
Lawn Care Crews, LLC
CB Atkins Electric Inc.
RV Specialist of the Triad
We still have sponsorship opportunities If Interested!
Next week’s racing will feature the Thunder Road Grill Street Stock 50. It’s the longest race of the season for the Law Offices of John Barrow Street Stock Series.
In addition, there will be twin 25 lap races in the Brad’s Golf Cars Modified Series, twin 20 lap races in the McDowell Heating & Air Sportsman Series, one or two 15 lap races in the Q104.1 Stadium Stock Series, plus there will be a Classified Modified race.
Gates open at 6 pm on Saturday night, and the first race is at 8pm. Adult admission for Saturday is just $12. For children 6-11, it’s only $2 and children under 5 are free.
Starting this year, you are able to get your tickets online to beat the lines at the gates.
If you can’t be here to witness all the action, make sure you check out FloRacing for the live streamed action!
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