Nikky Saxon Fights To 19th Place Finish At Berlin Raceway 

Third career start in a Late Model for Las Vegas native

July 22, 2014

New Palestine, Indiana (July 22, 2014) – Nikky Saxon competed in a last-chance race to

advance to the feature and climbed six spots in the main event to finish 19th in the JEGS/

CRA All-Stars Tour Berlin 100 Presented by Boyne Machine Company and JEGS.com

Friday, July 18 at Berlin Raceway in Marne, Michigan.

"Everyone was racing hard and clean all night," Saxon said. "It was the biggest track I've

raced at with this car, but everyone was very helpful and supportive all weekend."

The tricky, .437-mile semi-banked paved oval at Berlin Raceway was another new track

for Saxon, a Las Vegas native in her first season in the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour series.

Saxon was one of 33 drivers to enter the race. Only 20 cars were guaranteed a spot

based on their qualifying times. Saxon qualified with a time of 16.648 seconds. Despite

only being less than three-tenths off of the lead pace, she qualified in 26th position.

So Saxon needed to make some smooth moves in the No. 56 Saxon Racing/J&J Financial Late Model to grab one of two guaranteed spots for the feature through the 15-laps last-chance race.

With the feature race on the line, Saxon raced to a third-place finish after starting fourth. Series officials made the decision to expand the feature field to 28 drivers, and Saxon was awarded the 25th starting position.

"It was different having to actually race my way in," Saxon said. "But I was very excited to be able to get into the main feature."

Saxon, a 20-year-old motorsport engineering major at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, ran a consistent, clean race to finish 19th. The field ran 60 laps before the first caution period. That was the longest Saxon had raced in the Late Model car without stops, giving her good experience.

"I want to win, but I also go out to have fun and continue to learn," Saxon said. "I want to give my crew and supporters a good performance after everything they do to help me. At the end of the day, we came off the track clean and the car rolled into the trailer, and that's always a good thing."

The race was the third of her seven-race partial season in 2014 before she joins the series full time next year. Saxon is using every opportunity to learn and improve.

"It's been great so far," Saxon said. "My times are close to the leaders, and I'm learning different maneuvers and the lines I need to take on each track. I'm definitely getting better, and my goal is to take everything I'm learning, apply it and be competitive in every race."

After the race, Saxon spent time with the fans in the pits, signing autographs and taking pictures.

"It was fun to get to know the kids," Saxon said. "This is what I love to do, and being able to share that with them is pretty cool."

Saxon will have a short break before her next race Saturday, Aug. 9 at Auto City Speedway in Clio, Michigan.

For the latest news about Nikky Saxon and Saxon Racing, like the team onFacebook and visit its website at racingwithnikky.com

About Nikky Saxon:

Nicole "Nikky" Saxon has been racing since she was 8 years old, with the goal of becoming the first female NASCAR champion. Nikky gained racing experience through various series throughout her younger years. Originally from Las Vegas, Nikky and her family moved to Indianapolis.  They moved Saxon Racing to continue to support Nikky and her jump to compete in her No. 56 Late Model in the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour presented by Chevrolet Performance in 2014. Two years ago, Nikky developed Colitis along with acute Rhuematoid Arthritis and continues to battle the diseases, trying to never let it interfere with achieving her racing goals. Nikky balances her racing with work in the classroom as a third-year, full-time student at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), majoring in Motorsports Engineering.