Friday's Internet Edition, July 25, 2008.
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Clint King, a fifth-grader at Denton Elementary School, won the 2005 Concord otorsport Park Bandolero Bandit Track Championship last month.
Courtesy Photo |
- It has taken only two years for 10-year old Clint King to prove his ability on the track. On Jan. 28, Clint was crowned the 2005 Concord Motorsport Park Bandolero Bandit Track Champion. During the 15-race schedule that included an average field of 15 cars, he accumulated an impressive 3.9 average finish, with two trips to victory lane. He also added victories to his resume at Lowe’s Motor Speedway and Nashville, TN during the 2005 season.
Clint’s overall season average also earned him a place on the stage with the nation’s prestigious top 10 Bandolero Bandit drivers by placing him ninth out of a field of 141 registered drivers in the nation.
These accomplishments come as a surprise to many in the local racing community, considering Clint had no previous racing experience before climbing behind the wheel of the full-bodied Bandolero race car. The Bandolero cars typically reach speeds of over 70 mph and provide an excellent method for transition from open cockpit cars to full bodied race cars. Several drivers in the higher ranks of NASCAR have gained valuable experience through the Bandolero series.
Clint’s motivation to succeed on the track is paralleled by his outstanding academic performance in the classroom. Clint is currently a straight-A student in Mrs. Frank’s fifth-grade class at Denton Elementary, and is an AIG (Academically/Intellectually Gifted) student with perfect attendance.
Clint’s direction in life is further enhanced by the teachings received at Charity Baptist Church and Pastor Elton Wilborne. He attends all three weekly services, and knows the knowledge received at church will have an impact on his life and others around him for all the years to come.
As would be for any young driver, Clint hopes to one day have an opportunity to race in the higher ranks of NASCAR. For now, he is encouraged to maintain his academic skills and stay involved in church.
Clint’s 2006 points schedule will begin on March 17 at Concord Motorsport Park, where he plans on defending his 2005 championship en route to becoming the first repeat Bandolero Bandit Champion at Concord.