JACKSONVILLE, NC – A.J. Sanders is one of the most decorated Mini Stock drivers in history, with wins and championships at almost every single asphalt track in the Carolinas and Virginia – except Goodyear All American Speedway.
On Saturday afternoon, the 54-year-old from Mocksville will make his first start at Goodyear All American Speedway in the HetuStrong Race Against Cancer. Despite his lack of experience at the track, the goals will be the same for Sanders.
“I’ve never even raced at Goodyear All American Speedway before,” Sanders said. “My goals are to come down, of course, be in the top three, and just be in contention to win. I just come down there and hopefully get a feel for the place like I normally do at tracks I don’t know anything about. I think we’ll be fast.”
Sanders has over 500 feature race wins and 16 championships which he has collected at several different tracks – including historic Bowman Gray Stadium, Hickory Motor Speedway, Caraway Speedway, and Wake County Speedway, among others, and is the reigning champion in the Carolina Mini Stock Challenge. In 2014, he won the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series Division IV National Championship.
One reason for his success over the years is his ability to adapt quickly to different racetracks.
“Of course, people who have raced there, like Travis Miller, will be in contention,” Sanders continued. “They’re going to have that advantage. I think, after we get some laps in on Saturday morning, we can make some adjustments and be good. It’s going to be exciting – good cars, good field, good race.”
Saturday’s race is being run in honor of Ronnie Hetu, who passed away in March 2021 after a battle with cancer. Sanders considered Hetu a great guy and a good competitor.
“He was just a great guy,” Sanders stated. “When I talked to him over the years, he cared about the sport, Kris and the family, like me and my dad were. It’s going to be exciting to run this race and I’d like to bring home the hardware with his name on it.”
Sanders is one of over two dozen Carolina Mini Stock Challenge drivers who will compete on Saturday – but his list of accolades will make him a favorite despite never racing at the track.
The HetuStrong Race Against Cancer will commence on Saturday at 3:00 pm EDT. Tickets are available at the gate on race day for $15 for adults, $12 for senior/military/students (with ID), $5 for kids ages 6-12 while kids five (5) and under are admitted free. For those unable to attend the event, Racing America will have live, flag-to-flag broadcast coverage of the race.
Goodyear All American Speedway is Jacksonville’s Action Attraction featuring racing and other events. For more information about Goodyear All American Speedway, check out the speedway’s website, like/follow “Goodyear All American Speedway” on Facebook, or follow the track on Instagram.
