By: Kendra Adams Motorsport
September 23 2017
Barrie Ontario – Kendra Adams, driver of the #2 Mobil 1 / SE Telecom / Avaya Chevy, has been recognized as not only Sunset Speedway’s Sauble Falls NASCAR Late Model Rookie of the Year, she also earned the NASCAR Whelen All-American Provincial Division 1 Rookie of the Year honours.
A short two weeks before the start of her 2017 season was about to get underway Adams announced that she would be stepping-up to the premiere class at Sunset International Speedway; the Sauble Falls NASCAR Late Model division. Her initial goal was to learn from some of the best drivers in Ontario, some who are NASCAR provincial champions.
“We had a Super Stock and the Late Model. Originally our plan was to race a second year in the Super Stock division and periodically run the Late Model.” said Adams. "Thanks to the support of our sponsors it became possible to focus on racing the Late Model car full time and run for Rookie of the Year. We knew we had a good car and with three other rookies registered, we figured we would jump in and see if we could contend. We ended up leading the rookie race from opening night and never looked back."
To assist Adams with this ambitious transition respected driving instructor Daniel Bois joined the team as her driver coach to help her adjust to the new car, overall car control and the additional horsepower that was at her disposal.
Adams set realistic goals for her rookie Late Model season. Most important for her was to get valuable seat time and earn some respect in this highly competitive division. Her secondary objective was to earn a Top Ten finish before the end of the season.
Adams achieved a Top Ten finish on the opening night and earned seven more Top-Ten finishes throughout the season, with her best finish being 6th place.
With these first-season achievements Adams became the youngest ever Ontario Provincial Division 1 NASCAR Whelen All-American Rookie of the Year as well as the first female in this same category.
"At 17, running with some of the best in Ontario, many who’ve been racing longer than I've been alive, was tough.” said Adams. “I didn't want to make Rookie mistakes, I didn't want to hurt anyone's race for the championship. Based on the feedback I got from a lot of top drivers and crew, I think I was successful in showing that I do belong out there."
Adams is thankful for her family of sponsors that help fuel her dreams: Mobil 1, SE Telecom, Avaya, Paul Quail Transport, Onepromo.ca / Epic Racewear, The Mortgage Station, Speedy Auto Machine, Radical Rods, Rides and Restoration, Krueger Electrical Services, Infinet Motorsports, Tyger Shark, Human 2.0, and WIX Filters and is proud to represent Revo sunglasses.
Adams is a proud "Laps for Muscular Dystrophy" (Laps4MD) driver who’s pledged to donate $1 for every lap she leads this season. These donations go to Muscular Dystrophy Canada to help make a difference in the lives of over 50,000 Canadians affected by a neuromuscular disorder.
She is also a proud supporter of Kids Help Phone, who offers a 24/7 critical lifeline of hope and support for kids, teens, and young adults through its free, confidential and anonymous services as well as Make-A-Wish® Canada whose mission is to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.
Follow Kendra Adams’ progress all year on Facebook at www.facebook.com/KendraAdamsMotorsports, on Twitter at @2kendraadams and on her website: kendraadamsmotorsports.com