It’s hard to believe that 25 years ago I was riding a PW50 burning laps on the local tracks. And like every kid, I wished to win some races.
As the years went on the tracks got bigger, I got better and my bikes got faster. And like everyone else I wished to be a district champion.
Once again some years passed and the tracks got bigger, I got better and my bikes were faster … And like all experts the wish was to be the Hot Shoe Series Champion.
At this point, all my wishes came true. All my goals at this point seemed attainable. I was on a path of winning. With the gracious support of my family , friends, and fans I built up some confidence .
The kids I raced with were going to be the ones that I would have to compete against in the Grand National Series. I thought if I was racing with them now and succeeding it should be a piece of cake. But I was wrong… The kids I grew up with on the track were not Chris Carr, Scott Parker, Will Davis, Ricky Graham, Terry Poovey, or Jay Springsteen.
So I set out with a plan… I listened and watched the greats of our sport lap after lap, race after race, win after win. I then learned year after year. Things were happening, The tracks weren’t getting bigger, but I was getter better, more dialed in. I was learning the tracks better . I knew then it was much more then getting off the line and holding it wide open to the checkered. Although that was fun as a kid, crashing as an adult was not so fun.
After some team affiliations and more sponsors willing to help in my career, My wishes got bigger and like many Grand National riders I wanted to ride for the Factory Harley-Davidson Team and Win the Grand National Title but not necessarily in that order. I also wished to change from a follower to a leader. I wanted to be a “ Great “ of this sport.
I put a lot of time, determination and rode a lot of laps to earn my accomplishments. Then being so close to Championship status in 2005 I knew my day would come. But I never thought that 2006 would grant two wishes; Riding for the Factory Harley-Davidson Team and ultimately winning the championship. What a year!
I earned the number one plate but I didn’t get there by myself… First I would like to thank the people behind the scenes: My parents Ken Sr and Betty- for the sacrifices you made every weekend, for the long hours working on bikes, for the confidence and support from my very first win to the championship title. To my sister Marsha… for just being my sister. Ha Ha. To the North East fans who have cheered, screamed and hollered “ Go Kenny”; which I heard in California.. Thank you! To Jeff and Morgan for your dedication to me not to mention all the driving race to race and of course the memories( I won’t bring those up now..)
From my very first sponsor, and all the sponsors along the way. Thank you for believing in me ,for your support and contributing to this sport so that riders like myself can chase that checkered flag.
To the entire race staff at the AMA , thank you for the series, your time and your priorities in track prep, safety, scoring and sign up. To Ford Quality Checked Pre Owned for supporting the series that so many of us are a part of. With your aggressive support Dreams come true.
Thank you to the Factory Harley-Davidson Team and of course my mechanic Ryan. Being a part of the prestigious “Wrecking Crew” was not only a wish I have carried for many years, but it exceeded my expectations. We came together as a team in a short period of time, worked through conflict and communications effectively and succeeded.
To Chris Carr… A sportsman whom I have admired for a long time. A Champion who I have watched and tried to beat race after race. You have big shoes to fill my friend…. After learning from you, admiring you and building a friendship with you I am ready to fill those shoes.
The torch wasn’t passed this year it was earned.. Thank you to all that made that possible!!
