Kristen Dennis thriving off detractors en route to fast start
Multiple wins in few starts has 'Ladies First' team flying high
MAGNOLIA, Texas (April 26, 2012) – Just three years ago Kristen Dennis had only dreamed of one day becoming a professional racer.
After all, what would a mother of two from Magnolia, Texas – population 1,100 – do with a fast car and a big dream?
As it turns out, win. And win a lot.
Dennis has already won with both the NHRA and IHRA to start her young career
Dennis
finally decided to go racing three years ago when she started her own
team and so far that decision has turned into one of the most unlikely
success stories around. In just two seasons Dennis has compiled one NHRA
victory and two IHRA Nitro Jam wins all in less than 50 passes behind
the wheel. Certainly not a bad start for someone who has used the
motivation of being told she can't to go out and prove that she can.
"I
knew I could do this no matter what anyone said. I have used the few
people telling me that I couldn't do this to motivate me more. They are
the ones I am proving to that I can do it with my success as a driver
and team owner," Dennis said. "I certainly don't take any of this for
granted. I just have to push myself that much harder to prove that I can
keep winning and not to let my team or the fans down."
And
Dennis didn't just go for any ordinary old car for this journey. No,
she decided to go a different route by diving straight into the power,
speed and thrill of nitromethane. Dennis decided for her first ride she
would get behind the wheel of a 4,000 horsepower nitro-powered dragster
to guide her down the quarter-mile.
Dennis has two Pro Fuel wins in four Nitro Jam races as he goes for the title in 2012
And so far, she has loved every minute of it.
"When
I first made the decision to start driving and I got my license I was
determined to do well," Dennis said. "But as history will show there are
plenty of people that have been doing this for 20 or 30 years that
don't have a win. To already have a few wins in so few starts is a
blessing. It is certainly not something I am going to take for granted."
Dennis
got her first taste of drag racing success at an NHRA divisional event
in 2010 in only her second career start, driving to a huge win in
Dallas. One year later she followed that win with another trophy – her
first as a pro – in her first career Nitro Jam start, defeating
fellow-Texas native and eventual series champion Mike Manners to claim
her first IHRA Ironman.
Now,
with two years experience under her belt, Dennis is throwing her hat in
the ring fulltime in Nitro Jam's Pro Fuel Dragster category behind the
wheel of her now-famous "Ladies First" dragster. And so far that
campaign is off to a rousing start with yet another win earlier this
year at the sold out San Antonio Nitro Jam, a win that has cemented
Dennis as a certified "rock star" in her home state.
"Getting
a hometown win was amazing and getting a win with my mom, both my kids
and two of my oldest childhood friends put it over the top," Dennis
said. "I love being from Texas and I was able to bring that spirit to
the race with me."
Dennis' biggest victory to date came at the San Antonio Nitro Jam in March
Dennis
visited the finals both nights at the San Antonio Nitro Jam, falling to
former champion Bill Evans and the "Black Pearl" team on day one before
sweeping day two and defeating Evans, using her career best elapsed
time to pick up the win, a lighting quick 5.385, 276.92.
Not
only was the victory bittersweet for the Texan, but the response
afterward left her speechless as fans lined up for hours to meet her
after the race.
"After
the run we made our victory pass in front of the stands and there
wasn't a person sitting down anywhere. You just don't get a response
like that unless your last name is Force," Dennis said with a laugh.
"The fans followed us to the pits and the celebration began. I lost
track of time and almost missed winners circle because there were just
so many people waiting in line. It was surreal."
Now
Dennis and the "Ladies First" team will try to keep that momentum going
at the Mardi Gras Nitro Jam presented by Domino's Pizza May 4-5 at
State Capitol Raceway. Dennis will battle Evans, Cherissa Smallwood in
the "Nitro and Lace" dragster and Robin Samsel in the" Predator" in
front of a rambunctious Louisiana crowd, an event she is very much
looking forward to.
"I
am definitely excited to see what the remainder of the season brings
starting in Baton Rouge where they have some incredible fans," Dennis
said. "We couldn't have done this without our current and past sponsors
that have made it possible. Thanks to CleanBoost Oil, 801 Racing, Space
City Hotshots, Glass Depot and Global Promotional Advertising.
"Hopefully
with this win it will help bring on some additional sponsorship and
support for our team. We have shown that we are competitive and of
course we are having a lot of fun racing with the IHRA. Who knows where
this thing will take us."
