Youngest stock car driver: Dustin Jackson sets world record (Video)
Sault Ste Marie, ON, USA -- Dustin Jackson was 10-years-old when he started racing at Laird International Raceway this summer - setting the new world record for the Youngest stock car driver, according to World Record Academy (www.worldrecordacademy.com).
Photo: Dustin Jackson, The World's Youngest Stock Car Driver. (enlarge photo)
The previous Guinness world record was held by 12-year-old American Amanda Stroud.
Guinness World Records also recognized the world record for the youngest driver to win a NASCAR race was Joey Logano (USA) at the age of 19 years, 1 month, 4 days when he won the Lenox Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, USA.
According to The Salut Star, Dustin got his start racing go-carts at Kinross Speedpark in Kinross, Mich. He's following in the footsteps of his father, Brett Jackson, who ran in the Street Stock Division at the old Fifth Line Speedway in the early 1980s.
Brett raced on the Ontario Stock Car Association of Asphalt Racers circuit for three years while living in Barrie in the early 2000s.
"It's in our family blood for him to get into stock car racing. I've been involved in stock racing all my life," Brett said. "He was actually going to the racetrack in diapers back in the day when I raced."
Dustin was just 10-years-old when he drove his modified 1998 Dodge Neon in his first stock car race at Laird International Raceway on June 12.
"I was nervous," said Dustin. "I didn't get any practice ... I went out there. I was in the lineup and I was shaking like crazy."
Dustin has since upgraded to a 2001 Dodge Neon and said racing is much less nerve-racking. He has about a dozen races under his belt.
"It's a lot more fun now," Dustin said. "You get to know a lot of people ... and it's fun to drive a car."
The seat, pedals and clutch of his vehicle are modified to fit his 11-year-old frame.
Dustin -- who has been dubbed Kid Dynamite at the raceway -- finished the season in ninth place in the KM Construction Stock Four racing division at Laird. He was also awarded rookie of the year in his division.
His father, who also raced on the Ontario Stock Car Association of Asphalt Racers (OSCAAR) circuit for three years while living in Barrie in the early 2000s, offered some straightforward advice.
"I told him to go out there and follow the pack," Brett Jackson said. "Try to learn from the guys in front of you and gain respect. Don't do anything crazy."
