Meet The Racing Marine
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12/22/2015 |
It's been said there's no such thing as a former Marine; once a Marine, always a Marine. The same though applies to race car drivers. Even those who may no longer compete are still drivers. It's just part of who they are. In each case, it's just a part of who that person is, how they think and how they live. Both the military and racing at a local track require a level of commitment that outsiders usually can't comprehend. Additionally, both fields also share the quality of sacrifice. The Marine (as do all service members) gives up the goal of achieving personal riches in other occupations to become part of something greater in service to others. The local racer, particularly in the lower tier series gives of his own time and money to provide a few hours of entertainment for the public each week. Kenny Smith is both a Marine and a racer.
Kenny originally hails from southern California. He recalls, "I pretty much grew up around racing and race tracks. My first memory of being at a track was watching midgets and sprint cars at the famous Ascot Park. We had our own midget so it runs in the family." His family stopped racing when they moved to Missouri but like so many of us, once a fan, Kenny was always a fan.
Kenny originally hails from southern California. He recalls, "I pretty much grew up around racing and race tracks. My first memory of being at a track was watching midgets and sprint cars at the famous Ascot Park. We had our own midget so it runs in the family." His family stopped racing when they moved to Missouri but like so many of us, once a fan, Kenny was always a fan.
He joined the Marine Corp out of high school and served from 1986 until 1993. He spent seven months in the Middle East during Desert Storm. Upon being discharged, he ventured back out to California to work and follow racing at the iconic Irwindale Speedway and San Bernardino's quarter mile Orange Show Speedway. He decided to move back to Missouri where his family was, in 2002. Randolph County Speedway in Moberly became his home track and it wasn't long after that before Kenny had to strap himself in.
"I got offered to drive a car in 2005 and managed an 8th place finish out of 24 cars. I was hooked" he states. "I bought a car and finished up the season. In 2007, I bought another car and had 9 heat race wins, 14 top 5 finishes, 17 top 10's and finished 5th in points at the track." He stepped away from driving for a few years due to personal reasons. After moving to Iowa, where he currently lives with his wife Heather and their two daughters, with the support of his family, Kenny got back behind the wheel. He did so with an even greater purpose.
According to the National Center for PTSD, it's estimated that 7 to 8 percent of the general population suffers from post traumatic stress disorder. Tragically, those numbers soar among military veterans who served in active duty combat zones. It's estimated that up to 20% of Iraq/Afghanistan veterans suffer or have suffered from PTSD. Even more sadly, it's believed that approximately 50% of those veterans have not sought treatment. Roughly 30% of Vietnam veterans have dealt with PTSD and that war was a generation ago. Kenny Smith is just one driver and one Marine but he wants to use his racing as an opportunity to help those who suffer and also make sure this issue is in front of the public. He says, "I decided to use racing as a way to help educate and spread the word about PTSD in veterans. Every chance I get, I talk to people to let them know what it does and ask them to help someone, whether it's just to listen to them or to help them find the professional help they need." Commitment and sacrifice, yes, once a Marine, always a Marine. It's more than a phrase. It truly is a way of life.
"I got offered to drive a car in 2005 and managed an 8th place finish out of 24 cars. I was hooked" he states. "I bought a car and finished up the season. In 2007, I bought another car and had 9 heat race wins, 14 top 5 finishes, 17 top 10's and finished 5th in points at the track." He stepped away from driving for a few years due to personal reasons. After moving to Iowa, where he currently lives with his wife Heather and their two daughters, with the support of his family, Kenny got back behind the wheel. He did so with an even greater purpose.
According to the National Center for PTSD, it's estimated that 7 to 8 percent of the general population suffers from post traumatic stress disorder. Tragically, those numbers soar among military veterans who served in active duty combat zones. It's estimated that up to 20% of Iraq/Afghanistan veterans suffer or have suffered from PTSD. Even more sadly, it's believed that approximately 50% of those veterans have not sought treatment. Roughly 30% of Vietnam veterans have dealt with PTSD and that war was a generation ago. Kenny Smith is just one driver and one Marine but he wants to use his racing as an opportunity to help those who suffer and also make sure this issue is in front of the public. He says, "I decided to use racing as a way to help educate and spread the word about PTSD in veterans. Every chance I get, I talk to people to let them know what it does and ask them to help someone, whether it's just to listen to them or to help them find the professional help they need." Commitment and sacrifice, yes, once a Marine, always a Marine. It's more than a phrase. It truly is a way of life.
Kenny races a 1994 Toyota Celica in the International Motor Contest Association (IMCA) Sports Compact division. In outlining his plans for 2016, he says, "I'm looking to run as many tracks as I can, with my home track at Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa being where I go after a championship. I plan on running at Iowa 34 Raceway, Scotland County Speedway in and Randolph County in Missouri, as well as in Quincy, Illinois."
Most short track racing fans know the struggles a driver like Kenny faces. He estimates he spent over $2,200 to race this past season. His winnings were about $700. With no garage at home, he works on his car outside. Yet he races. He helps provide action for race fans who spend roughly $10 a ticket on a Friday or Saturday night. He provides a platform for a condition that too many American heroes suffer from. As is so often the case with racers like Kenny, his wife and kids are right there with him, cheering him on. "My family loves what I do and are behind me 100%."
Kenny Smith isn't racing with the dream of climbing through the ranks to the top of the sport. He works as a mechanic and come race season, he'll spend $25 for a pit pass except for special events when of course, the tracks increase the price. He'll spend $100 to $150 in travel expenses to get to those out of town tracks. It's what he does; it's who he is. You can't expect the racer to give up racing any more than you can tell the Marine to stop being a Marine.
Kenny is very active and engaging on social media. Fans can follow him on Twitter at @usmckennysgt. He also has a Go Fund Me site for anyone who would like to help his efforts. It can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/njavso. Recently, he's also begun raising funds both for his racing and to help families who have a member suffering from cancer. He's now aligned with Racing 2 Cure in that effort. Those wishing to help through that forum can do so at http://www.racing2cure.org/kenneth-smith.html.
Kenny will race in 2016 because that's what he does. He will help others without any thought of self because that's who he is. A Marine and a racer, both worthy of fans' support. Every driver at every small, local track in America has the passion and a story. This is Kenny Smith's and I thank him for who he is and what he does.
Most short track racing fans know the struggles a driver like Kenny faces. He estimates he spent over $2,200 to race this past season. His winnings were about $700. With no garage at home, he works on his car outside. Yet he races. He helps provide action for race fans who spend roughly $10 a ticket on a Friday or Saturday night. He provides a platform for a condition that too many American heroes suffer from. As is so often the case with racers like Kenny, his wife and kids are right there with him, cheering him on. "My family loves what I do and are behind me 100%."
Kenny Smith isn't racing with the dream of climbing through the ranks to the top of the sport. He works as a mechanic and come race season, he'll spend $25 for a pit pass except for special events when of course, the tracks increase the price. He'll spend $100 to $150 in travel expenses to get to those out of town tracks. It's what he does; it's who he is. You can't expect the racer to give up racing any more than you can tell the Marine to stop being a Marine.
Kenny is very active and engaging on social media. Fans can follow him on Twitter at @usmckennysgt. He also has a Go Fund Me site for anyone who would like to help his efforts. It can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/njavso. Recently, he's also begun raising funds both for his racing and to help families who have a member suffering from cancer. He's now aligned with Racing 2 Cure in that effort. Those wishing to help through that forum can do so at http://www.racing2cure.org/kenneth-smith.html.
Kenny will race in 2016 because that's what he does. He will help others without any thought of self because that's who he is. A Marine and a racer, both worthy of fans' support. Every driver at every small, local track in America has the passion and a story. This is Kenny Smith's and I thank him for who he is and what he does.