JACKSONVILLE, NC – Carsyn Gillikin is hoping for a strong finish to her rookie season in Legends racing as the first round of the Atlantic Turfscapes Winter Heat Series dawns at Goodyear All American Speedway.
Gillikin, 16, from Morehead City, North Carolina, made the jump to Legends after scoring two Mini Cup wins in the spring at Goodyear All American Speedway, then called Coastal Plains Raceway. Since then, she has managed to place on the podium twice at the 4/10-mile track in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and looks to have another robust performance before 2021 draws to a close.
“My goals for Saturday are to finish the race without any damage and get a little faster,” Gillikin said. “Hopefully we can finish with another podium finish.”
Gillikin has learned a lot this season racing at both Goodyear All American Speedway and Carteret County Speedway – but the transition from Mini Cups, where cars are held wide open without any shifting, to the more cantankerous Legend Cars has been a learning curve. As she progresses in the car, she continues to try to improve both on and off the track.
“I have learned to shift, work hard for what you want, be confident in your driving because when you aren’t confident in your driving, you never push yourself,” Gillikin remarked. “I need to improve on my timing when it comes to getting on the gas and letting off the gas. I also need to improve on understanding how to make changes to my car when something falls off.”
When Gillikin began racing in Mini Cups in 2020, she roared onto the scene with a victory in only her second career start in the discipline. Later in the year, she went on to score a historic win at Myrtle Beach Speedway, being the very final feature race winner at the now-defunct half-mile track in South Carolina.
Since then, the leap to Legends has challenged Gillikin to be a better driver.
“I think I am a good driver, but I wouldn’t say I am an amazing driver,” Gillikin continued. “I have improved a lot since Mini Cups but there is still a lot I need to learn.”
In October, a Richlands home school group came to Goodyear All American Speedway for a field trip where they got to meet some of the drivers and learn about the sport and how operations work. Gillikin was one of a handful of drivers who brought her car to the track and met youths of all ages, taught them about the sport, and even staged an exhibition race along with fellow Legends competitor Chase Singletary – an exhibition she won.
“I loved having the home school kids come out to the track,” Gillikin stated. “It was an amazing experience. I was able to have fun, meet new people, and teach kids some things I know about racing. It was a lot of run racing against Chase and giving them a great show. Nothing but joy came out of spending my day with the kids, getting to know them, and learning about their sports as well.”
Prior to getting in a car herself, Gillikin looked up to Jacksonville sisters Carmen and Morgan Odum, who have each won championships in Mini Cup racing and eventually became good friends with them. Fast forward two years later, and Gillikin is now an idol to other young girls who aspire to race in a male-dominated sport.
“One girl stood out to me because she had said she always wanted to race and she was glad to see another girl doing it,” Gillikin said, reflecting on the October event at the track. “I have met up with her a few times at the track and had good conversation.”
This Saturday, Gillikin will be back in the car competing in the Legends portion of the first round of the Atlantic Turfscapes Winter Heat Series. Saturday afternoon’s race, which commences at 2pm, also features Late Models, Mini Stocks, U-CARs, Bombers, and Bandoleros.
Tickets are available at the gate on race day for $15 for adults, $5 for kids ages 6-12 and kids five (5) and under are admitted free. Seniors (63+), active and retired military, and students can get in for $12 with ID. Grandstands open at 12:30pm and the race will go green at 2pm.
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.
