MMSA Driver of the Week

presented by Cresent Donuts Shop of Bloomington, Indiana 

This week’s driver spotlight it Tyler Kendall driver of the #20 MMSA Lightning Sprint.  Tyler whom resides in Connersville, Indiana is a senior at Connersville High School.  He has played on the Varsity Football team as a quarterback and team captain. This spring he is playing golf for his high school team. 

(Q)  My first question is what inspired you to get into racing? 

(A) Racing has always been a huge part of our family. My uncle was really big in late models for a long time. My dad and grandpa worked for Glen Niebel for several years, they also achieved to win the Triple Crown with Tony Stewart driving for them. In 2001 when Glen died my dad got out of racing for a while.  In 2006 my cousin Jimmy gave us a kart. Not knowing anything about kart racing we took it out for the first time ever and actually won lol. It was seven years later that we started running lightning sprints. 

(Q) What is your biggest accomplishments in racing? 

(A)  We have won a couple pretty big go kart races. The last race we ever ran in karts was the biggest one we ever won paying $500 to win. 

(Q) What is your favorite racing memory? 

 (A) My favorite racing memory to this day is strapping into the lightning sprint for the first feature. 

(Q) When you are not racing what do you enjoy doing? 

(A) When I'm not racing, I'm usually playing golf with some buddies or going around to a different short track to watch some sprint cars. 

(Q) Who lead you into racing with the MMSA? 

(A) A couple different people helped lead me to the MMSA. Obviously my cousin Jimmy who we race and travel a lot with and Andy Bradley. Complete class act and treats everyone right. Really makes it feel like as a group we are all close. I also appreciate having my family to supporting me. 

(Q) What goes on during the winter months to prepare your car for the upcoming season? 

(A) During the winter months we completely stripped down the car. We sent the frame off to get stripped down and powder coated. I also played a lot of iRacing during the winter months to keep in the driver’s seat. 

(Q) Tell us about this year’s car? 

(A) My car is a 2008 DLH. I am pretty excited to get the car out on the track and start competing in 2015. I feel like we have what it takes to run up front and would love to be able to get our first win this year. 

(Q) Who would you like to recognize for making it possible to race this upcoming season. 

(A) I couldn't thank my parents enough. They do everything they can for me to get me what we want and need. Spend every dime they have to do what we love. Also my cousin Jimmy for getting us back into racing. He's really been a huge mentor in my life. My grandparents also help more than I could ever expect and are always with us at the track every week. My uncle Jeff for traveling everywhere we want to go with us and normally driving the truck. Also the best crew chief in the sport today, Mike Thompson. Would also like to thank Jay Hill Trucking for coming on board with us for the 2015 season. Super excited to see what we can do this year.