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Keith Powell's first time at the racetrack was a true disaster.  "I was just a baby and cried from the start so I was taken home and not brought back until I was old enough to enjoy it."  Now Keith is 18 and the pure joy in his eyes when he was talking about his family and his racing tells me that he just may cry if he COULD'NT race!  A lot of people can say that racing is in their blood but with Keith, it really is the truth.  His great grandfather was Franklin Phillips, his grandfather is the legendary Frankie Phillips, his uncle is Frankie (Bubba) Phillips, his mother is Dreama Phillips and his aunt is Ginger Phillips.  If you are a race fan around this area then chances are you have heard of at least one, if not all of these great drivers.

New Paris Speedway has been the home track for all of these drivers so it is no surprise that when Keith was 15, he followed in the family footsteps and headed straight for New Paris Speedway.  Keith is now in his 3rd season in the Street Stock division and this is the first full season for his new ride.

Sitting 4th in points and finishing 4th in the A feature this past weekend, Keith is a man on a mission.  That coveted A feature win has eluded him thus far but as determined as he is, I assure you that its coming soon.  Keith's first win was his forth ever race and he won the B feature and while his first win will always mean a lot, its just not the same as an A feature win.

I asked him if he was aiming for a championship this year and with a simple laugh and a shake of his head, I had my answer.  "I don't care to run for points because it gets real stressful and things tend to go wrong." This is not the first person I have heard this little tidbit from!

Keith would like to thank his sponsors; Powell PC's, Phillips Racing, Powell Racing and Rheda Motorsports and add that he is looking for more sponsors if anyone out there is interested!

Keith would also like to give out some very special acknowledgments, Mom and Dad, his oh-so-supportive girlfriend Mallory, Uncle Ricky, Uncle Ray, Chad and Mark. And shout outs to his inspirations the "Happy Hippy"(his grandfather), and the Stremme family.

This track reporter has a feeling about Keith Powell.  This boy has the fire in his eyes and the talent to back it up.  If you are ever in the neighborhood at 7pm on a Saturday night, by all means make your way to New Paris Speedway and watch this fella in action!  Thanks again to Kristi Zimmerman for helping me out again this week.you're the best!  Happy and Safe Racing!