JACKSONVILLE, NC – Phoenyx Kimball has already made a name for herself at Goodyear All American Speedway with seven wins in the Bandolero division and a championship in the Winter Heat Series.
Now, the 14-year-old from Raleigh has her sights set on the regular season track championship at the Jacksonville track. Kimball is flying high after a win at the quarter-mile Wake County Speedway bullring last week and a runner-up finish at the Cookout Summer Shootout at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Tuesday.
“Charlotte wasn’t good to me last year,” Kimball said. “I was still very new at racing. This year, I came to Charlotte confident. My skill level has improved tremendously which has helped me so much at this track. It’s all about survival and being in the right place at the right time. It was a last-minute decision to take the outside line at the last restart and I’m glad I did. Proud to take second.”
While Kimball has continued to excel at other tracks, she has taken a penchant to Goodyear All American Speedway – a faster, higher-banked, and larger track than the quarter-mile tracks at Charlotte and Raleigh. It’s not just because of her success at the track as she eyes an eighth win in an INEX Bandolero National Qualifier on Saturday, but because of the atmosphere as well.
“Dillon Spain puts a lot of time into my car,” Kimball explained. “He makes sure I show up strong. I also absolutely love Tonya and Anthony Goodyear. They really, truly support female drivers. The track staff is super friendly, and the track is well maintained. The shape of the track is also unique, which I love.”
Kimball made her first start at Goodyear All American Speedway on November 14, 2021, in the Bandolero portion of the Solid Rock Carriers Battle of the Stars. Right out of the gate, she was victorious, and she kept those winning ways alive throughout the Winter Heat Series – eventually winning the championship for the winter series – her first championship of any kind.
“This was a new track to me so you just never know what to expect,” Kimball stated. “I didn’t expect to win the track championship. I thought it was cool and winning the championship in September would be so cool and exciting. I would love to make it two championships at this track.”
Kimball’s racing career began when she was seven when her parents put her in go-karts at Rush Hour Karting in Garner. In 2020, she moved up to Bandolero, and next year, she hopes to move into a Legend Car as she continues to progress and “take each day as it goes.”
Legends and Bandoleros will both run INEX National Qualifiers as part of the WRNS All-American Showdown on Saturday, July 30. Late Models, Chargers, Street Stocks, Mini Stocks, U-CARs, Bombers, Champ Karts, and the Atlantic Turfscapes Super Truck Series will also all be in action.
Tickets are available at the gate when grandstands open at 5pm, and racing will begin at 7pm. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors (63+) and military (active/retired/veterans) with ID, $5 for kids ages 6-12, and kids five (5) and under get in free. Trackside parking and climate-controlled suites are also 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.
