Young driver looking to build on early success

Jordan Anderson is not old enough to get a driver’s license, but he is burning up the race track. The 14-year-old won 20 of 36 races in the INEX Legends semi-professional division this year.

Anderson has beaten competitors from 14 to 45-years-old, running far beyond the minimum of three wins needed to advance to the next level. Next year, he will compete in the pro INEX Legends, racing against 14-16-year-old driving champions from throughout the country.

Anderson knows what it takes to present himself, never wasting an opportunity to put his name out there and recruit sponsors.

"When he started getting into racing, we told him you have to raise your own money," said his father, Cliff Anderson. Jordan has negotiated a sponsorship with Dick Dyer Toyota.

Anderson handles a soaring career and the demands of a typical teenager with ease.

While maintaining at least a B average in school, a stipulation by his parents for him to continue racing, Anderson juggles the roles of business manager, driver and spokesman.

On the track, where some drivers have been known to throw down their helmets in defeat, Anderson's charisma and skill have gained respect and admiration from fellow competitors. "It's not unusual to find him encouraging other drivers, even older drivers," said his mother, Sherry Anderson.

"I'm trying to be known as a clean driver and be respected by all the other competitors in the race," Anderson said.

"When I go to the race track, I go to race not to play," said Anderson.

"When I snap on my helmet and zip up my uniform, and go in to the race, I love every single second of what I'm doing."

Though he has had some bumps, scrapes, a broken wrist and five minor wrecks in the past year, he said most of them were not his fault. "You keep going and going and never give up on what you're trying to accomplish," he said.

"A lot of people ask me ‘how could you let him do this?’ I say, ‘How could I not?’ " said Sherry Anderson. "When I look at him through the window of that car and see his hands on that steering wheel, I see his passion and his love for what he is doing. I'm not thinking about whether he's going to get hurt, I'm thinking about how much my son loves what he's doing. When I think in those terms, I cannot have fear."

This weekend, Anderson will attempt to qualify for one of 28 spots at the Lake Erie Speedway, and hopes to race in the championship the following day.

Anderson said the 50-lap race is going to be a tough one, but he plans to win.

"If you envision yourself finishing fifth, that's where you'll finish, but if you envision yourself finishing first that's where you'll be," Anderson said. "I've got my priorities to win every race and it shows since I've won twenty.”

Consistency in the race, whether behind or out front, is key, Anderson said.

"I've learned to be consistent. You can run ten laps that are consistent and be the fastest car on the race track.”

Currently, Anderson is in pursuit of sponsors for a late model truck, which he hopes to begin racing by the time he hits the pro level in January.