Brandon Teen ‘Ragin’ Kjin’ Finds Her Way On I-90 Speedway
BRANDON, S.D. (AP) — She’s just completed the eighth grade at Brandon Valley Middle School and has months to go before she’s a licensed driver. But those two obstacles aren’t keeping 14-year-old Kjerstin “Ragin’ Kjin” Klockman from getting behind the wheel of a 1993 Plymouth Sundance on Saturday nights at I-90 Speedway.
At 14, she’s the youngest driver on the track in the super chargers division this season at I-90 Speedway, the Argus Leader ( ) reported.
But don’t let her youth fool you. Klockman knows racing.
“She’s been around racing all of her life,” said her mom, Rhonda Hernandez. “The first time she attended a race was in April 2001 because her brother, Travis (Johnson), was racing. I think she was 3 months old.”
Her passion for the male-dominated sport was ignited by her brother, who also started racing at 14 and who gave her each of the trophies he’s won.
“She’s always been interested in racing and once it gets in your blood .” said Hernandez, who dabbled in hobby stocks herself years ago.
After three nights of racing, Klockman is ranked sixth in the points standings. Her first week out, she took fifth in the heat race and sixth in the feature. The following week, a loose window net dropped her to an eighth-place finish in the heat, and another sixth-place finish in the feature.
“It’s a learning experience, and she has to figure out where she feels comfortable and go with it,” Hernandez said. “But it’s not really about the points, it’s about seat time and that stuff now.”
In her second week, Klockman’s top speed was 47 miles per hour. As she grows into the sport, she’ll inch toward the top speeds of 65 to 70 mph.
“As the weeks go on, she’s getting a little braver,” her mom said. “But for now, she’s still learning.”
It was a bet between Klockman and her brother that put her in the driver’s seat this season.
“If she could keep her grades up, then she could race,” Hernandez said. “He’s the actual owner of the car and was going to race, but they made a bet about grades.”
Her brother started racing at the same age in the Super Chargers class.
“He’s basically on hold right now and letting her race,” Hernandez said.
Before her first race, Klockman said she loaded up on energy drinks. Add that to some natural adrenaline, and the teen admits, “I was hyper. I had too much energy to even drive.”
While Hernandez confesses she has some fears about her teenage daughter racing, Klockman said her main concern is hitting a wall, which she’s already done.
And as for the reaction from her male counterparts, Klockman said she’s like one of the guys.
“They’re happy for me (that I’m racing), and they’re ready to come against me, but they won’t hurt me,” she said.
The weekly racing scene isn’t just about getting behind the wheel. It takes money to race, and the young teen has five sponsors secured: TJohn Racing, Golf Addiction, Fryin’ Pan, Express Copy and Printing, and Sioux Falls Truck and Trailer.
She also helps out with the car’s maintenance.
“Travis and Keith Johnson (Travis’ dad) are the mechanics. She puts in a little bit of time because right now she’s in school, but it’s basically her brother that’s the head mechanic,” her mother explained.
Klockman’s car, the 1993 Plymouth Sundance, is painted her favorite color: black.
“It’s my favorite color; it always will be,” she said.
And as for the green accents on the car, Klockman said that’s to honor her grandfather’s memory.
“He died when I was about 4, and before he died we all promised him that we would have green on our cars,” she said.
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Information from: Argus Leader,
