Generally, pairing a teenager with a fast car does not produce positive results. That's not the case for one young Mancos resident, however.
For the better part of three months, driver Brooklynne Kibel, a rookie on the International Motor Contest Association (IMCA) stock-car racing circuit, has been driving fast and reaping benefits. Just 16 years old, Kibel, a hobby-stock driver, has quickly taken to the sport of stock-car racing and all indications are that the teenager has a bright future in the sport.
Although Kibel is a rookie on the track, she is no stranger to the sport of stock car racing. Throughout her early years, her father piloted stock cars around local tracks. Later, her brother, Dakota Kibel began racing and before long, Kibel could no longer resist the urge to race.
"My brother and dad have always raced," said Kibel. "I grew up at the racetrack. I was always there and I figured out last year that I was really into it. I wanted to start racing so I got the car ready and here I am."
Unlike some young drivers, who rely on others to keep their racecar in top-notch condition, Kibel spends a great deal of time doing maintenance on her hobby-stock car.
"I do most of the work (on my car)," said Kibel. "I check the tires, I change the tires, and I try to pound out the dents. Everyday after school, I make sure the car's battery is charged, all the gas and stuff is in (the car) and the engine is fine-tuned."
Thus far this season, Kibel's hard work has paid off. Although still getting used to life behind the wheel, Kibel has steadily improved on the track, leaving fans eager to see just how far the young driver might progress.
"I have improved so much since the first race," said Kibel. "The last race, I went to Aztec and I actually kept up with the cars and passed two of them. I'm pretty happy with that."
(Kibel) has progressed up to where she can stay with the pack," said Kibel's clearly proud grandfather. "She's starting to pass some cars. A few more races and she'll start moving through the cars. She has done extremely well for the year."
As impressive as Kibel's first season has been, it has not come without some nervous moments for her family. Such is the nature of a sport where hobby-stocks sometimes exceed 60 miles per hour on tight oval tracks.
"It makes me nervous every time (Kibel races)," said her mother. "It scares me to death."
Even with the nervous moments, however, Kibel plans to continue racing.
"I'm pretty positive I'll keep doing this," said Kibel. "I'll probably eventually end up like my brother in a Sport-mod."
Regardless of what class of car Kibel eventually may drive, one thing is for certain. The future looks bright for the young and talented Mancos driver.
