The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

Q & A with Franklin race driver Sloan Henderson

Blue-chip receiver considering OSU
2/9/12
RedHawks’ night ruined by rally
2/9/12
Sports in Brief
2/9/12
Prep results, schedule
2/9/12
‘Good, solid ball’ Miami’s plan
2/8/12
> More sports headlines

By John Bombatch Staff Writer Updated 10:10 PM Monday, October 19, 2009

When the 2009 NASCAR Whelen Series Late Model racing season began, Franklin’s Sloan Henderson sought to make stock car racing history by becoming the first female in Ohio to win the series’ Rookie of the Year title.

She did just that.

This week, Henderson’s new-found recognition has earned her a chance to race in an even bigger stock car series next year, but first she has to beat out 29 other drivers from around the country.

QUESTION: You set out to make history in the NASCAR Whelen Late Model Series this year. Do you feel you’ve accomplished that?

ANSWER: Yes, I was the first female to set fast time, win a heat race and lead a feature and win the NASCAR Whelen Rookie of the year for Ohio, but I always feel that I could do better. I learned from my mistakes.

Q: What kind of doors have opened for you since becoming Ohio’s NASCAR Whelen LM Series rookie of the year?

A: Well there’s been a lot more press. I have had several radio and newspaper interviews, I even heard I was on the TV news too. I also got a meeting with a Global Tire company thanks to being rookie of the year, and thanks to my sponsor: Dempster Tire.

Q: Tell me about this Drive for Diversity test that you have coming up. How did you get invited for it?

A: It will be held at the Motor Mile Speedway in Radford, Va. I had to apply for it. I sent in a three-page application and video and then got selected by a panel to go to the driving combine.

Q: What is it that you have to do in order to impress whoever is running the test?

A: Friday night my grandparents Bob and Judy Campbell and I will be going to Revolution Racing for dinner and a shop tour. Saturday the drivers will all be at Lowe’s Motor Speedway for the race. On Sunday, we’ve got business meetings and media events to do.

The two main on-track testing days for the Combine are at Motor Mile Speedway on Monday, Oct. 19 and Tuesday, Oct. 20. From the group of 30 drivers, 12 drivers will be asked to return to the track on Tuesday to test in NASCAR Camping World Series East cars. Each driver will make two runs in the CWSE car, and again will be evaluated on their on-track performance, including consistency, car control and communication with the crew.

This leads to a November testing process that will culminate with four drivers being selected to compete with Revolution Racing in the NASCAR Camping World Series East for the 2010 season.

Q: You’re probably an old pro when it comes to proving yourself, but are you nervous?

A: Oh yes, I’m always nervous about proving myself. I probably get too nervous, but I think it could be a good thing because getting nervous makes me want to do really well.

Q: And if you’re not accepted, what happens then?

A: Well I need to pick up a few new partners for next season, but I will follow the plan we had before and go after the NASCAR Whelen Series Ohio title ... if (Franklin car owner) Gary Estes will let me back in his car.

Q: You’re 16 now, right? What do your classmates have to say about your racing career?

A: (Laughs) Well, I’m 17 now, but my classmates think it’s really cool that I race. A lot of them have told me that I’m an inspiration, and most of them have said that they want to come see me race.

Share this article