He may still be four years away from being able to earn a driver's license, but in racing circles, Alan Sanchez is a grizzled veteran. The 12-year-old native of Jamul, California, began racing go-karts at age 8, moved to Mini-Stocks the next year, and won back-to-back series championships in 1998 and 1999. Sanchez first raced his Mini-Stock painted to match Jeff Gordon's #24 Chevy in the Winston Cup Series, but since gaining Herdez brand salsas as a sponsor, he's been running his own colors.
The CarSanchez drives a Mini-Stock, a half-scale version of Chevrolet's Monte Carlo. Don't let its half-pint looks fool you-Mini-Stocks feature adjustable upper and lower control arms, coilover adjustable shocks, and a fully adjustable rear suspension. Sanchez competes with his #2 machine in the Tri-State Mini-Stock Car Racing Association on four different tracks in California.
The PlanSanchez drives for Kids Motorsports, which has big plans for his future. Kids Motorsports has put together a marketing package to support potential sponsors looking to increase their presence in the Latino market. Based upon his early potential (two Mini-Stocks championships the past two years), Kids Racing has an ambitious plan for Sanchez's advancement into higher divisions of racing. It includes two more seasons in Mini-Stocks, then a year in Baby Grands, two racing Legends (shown on left; he already owns a car and regularly practices in it), and another in Formula Ford 2000. By then Sanchez will be 16, which will allow him to race in the Winston West Series-but only for a year before he moves on again, this time to NASCAR's Busch Series. From there its on to Winston Cup at 18. Definitely a tough career track, but you never know. Keep your eyes open for an ambitious 18 year old in about six years.
Proud HeritageSanchez is a member of the small group of Latinos competing in motorsports in the United States. He's even supported by Herdez brand Mexican salsas because of his potential to become a racing icon to Latino communities both in the United States and abroad. Other racing Latinos that Sanchez has had the opportunity to meet include (pictured from left) Rolando Quintanilla (Indy Lights), Memo Rojas (Formula Ford 2000), Adrian Fernandez (CART), and Peiro Rodarte (Formula Ford 2000).
Do you have a car you'd like to see featured as a Race Car of the Month? If so, send your vital statistics (detailed information on the car, the driver, the owner, and the series you race) and photos (the more, the better) to Circle Track Race Car of the Month, 5555 Concord Pkwy. S., Ste. 329, Harrisburg, NC 28075.
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