The fastest up-and-coming female driver from the Northeast has proved again she has what it takes to be a champion. Ali Kern, an 18-year-old driver from Fremont (Ohio) recently won her first asphalt late model touring series championship this past weekend. Kern won the Template Body Racing Association (TBRA) championship in her first year on the former Bounty Series tour that competes on five tracks throughout northern Ohio and Pennsylvania. Not only did Kern win the series championship, but also took home Rookie of the Year honors in her first full year behind a full body late model. The TBRA championship compliments her other championships in motocross and karting.
Racing her family-owned and operated Ali Kern Motorsports #28 Chevrolet, Kern not only found success in her first year in late models, but also competed in two NASCAR K&N Pro Series East events at Greenville-Pickens (S.C.) Speedway and Columbus (Ohio) Motor Speedway. Kern established herself as a racer who has the ability to take the next step. Her season results on the TBRA tour included five wins and three runner-up finishes in the 10 race series that included over 20 regular teams.
“It’s been a great season for us,” said Kern. “It was my first year racing the late model and we were up against a lot of great drivers with many years of experience. It’s feels awesome to win the championship in our first year with this car and this series. I had a lot of fun, gained a lot of experience and hopefully a lot of respect from my competitors.”
With the championship, Kern now joins a select and elite crowd of recent young female drivers who have won a title in full-body stock cars including Johanna Long and Chrissy Wallace. Kern hopes that her recent success can propel her to the next level of her racing career.
“Hopefully this championship can open some more doors,” said Kern. “We’re open to anything, but want to focus on moving up to the next level. The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East is a great division, but we need sponsorship to run for our next championship. Finding a corporate partner is our next challenge. We feel we have a lot to offer and it’s just a matter of putting the pieces together to take the next step.”
Since youth Kern has been behind the wheel. Starting in quad motocross, Kern moved to karting and later the USA Modified Series racing throughout Ohio, Indiana and Michigan where she won Rookie-of-The-Year honors. She has three starts in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and now a late model championship to her resume.
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