JACKSONVILLE, NC – Amber McCaskill is set to carry on a family tradition when she makes her racing debut at Goodyear All American Speedway in Saturday’s Armageddon Armory Clash.
McCaskill, 16, from Raleigh, North Carolina, is the youngest daughter of 2016 CARS Tour champion and four-time Southern National Motorsports Park track champion Deac McCaskill. She has spent much of her life at the racetrack with her family, and now she’s looking forward to fulfilling a lifelong dream of racing herself.
“I’ve always loved racing and being at the track,” McCaskill said. “It runs in our blood. I’m super expected about this weekend. I’ve always dreamed of racing and always wanted to do something in racing. When I turned 14, I told dad I wanted to race. Now it’s finally happening and it’s unbelievable.”
McCaskill will compete in the Bomber division in Saturday’s race at Goodyear All American Speedway in Jacksonville. While it will be her first race, it won’t be her first time in the car. She has already done some testing at Southern National Motorsports Park in Lucama, North Carolina, and has learned a lot from her dad.
“I’ve learned a lot,” McCaskill explained. “We went and practice at Southern National. Dad was telling me to keep it up against the wall. The first time I went there and practiced, the first lap, I was getting up close to the wall because dad always taught me that. Him, my grandpa [Boyce McCaskill], and Bradley have taught me a lot about it.”
Amber has also been able to get advice from her older sister, Ashlyn, who ran a handful of Mini Stock and Limited Late Model races at Southern National – including a sentimental Mini Stock victory in August 2017.
“We were talking about it the other day,” the younger McCaskill sister stated. “I asked if I’d be fine, and she said I’d be fine. I’ve always looked up to Ashlyn so that’s why I’m racing too, I’ve always looked up to her and my dad.”
This weekend’s goal for McCaskill is to “finish in one piece and have fun” at a track she has not run any laps at. Despite the lack of experience, she has done her homework to prepare for Saturday as best as possible.
“I’ve seen the track and I’ve been watching videos about it and the class,” she continued. “Me and dad are watching. He’s saying you need to let off here and guiding me. He also said we would go and meet some of the Bomber drivers during the race.”
McCaskill will be a junior in high school when school resumes later this month. When it comes to sports, it’s all racing for her, and she says she’s “just kind of going with it” and will see how this weekend goes and “wherever life takes me.”
Amber McCaskill is one of several Bomber drivers who will compete in Saturday’s 30-lap feature in the Armageddon Armory Summer Clash at Goodyear All American Speedway. Saturday night’s race, which goes green at 8pm, also features Late Model twins, Bandoleros, Street Stocks, Mini Stocks, and U-CARs. Prior to the race, Steel County Express will be performing a live concert beginning at 6pm.
Tickets are available at the gate, which opens at 5pm, for $15 for adults, $12 for seniors (63+) and military (active duty, retired, and veteran) with ID, $5 for kids ages 6-12, and kids five (5) and under free. Trackside parking and climate-controlled suite seating are available.
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.
