Kim Kasye Jones

NHRA Super Comp Racer

Kim Kasye Jones was born into racing and has been around racing all her life. From the time she was a little girl, she was either in the garage, the shop, the pits or at the track. "My dad raced NASCAR Modifieds on the Northeast Circuit, so I ate it, smelled it, drank it, and lived it from the time I was a little girl. I am a true believer that you are born a racer, that racing is in your blood. You just don't decide one day your going to race cars, it has to be within you and you have to feel it."

That's when her husband decided to open their world to a different kind of racing, drag racing. Kim was hooked immediately. "It was so intense and the speeds were incredible. I'll never forget that day, it was at Maple Grove Raceway and I just couldn't get enough. I don't know till this day if he thinks that was a good thing or a bad thing by taking me to the drag races, I personally think it was a good thing. The racing blood was flowing very fast from that time on, and I knew I wanted to drag race right then or in the near future."

It was in May 1998 while filming "Reaction Times." that Kim met NHRA Pro Stock Driver Kevin Sparks and his wife Debbie, who was obtaining her Super Comp License in their dragster. "We talked for a while and I said I would love to drive that dragster and get my license. Kevin turned to me and said 'That can be arranged.' That did it, I about had a heart attack, I was so excited. Kevin and Debbie went through the whole car with me from controls to all safety features, how to drive the car, what to do if something goes wrong. It was a very thorough, one on one training experience and I learned a lot. Since then we have become like family with Kevin and Debbie and they have been there for us every step of the way. Needless to say we went on to build our own dragster and the rest is history, with more history to be made."

There are other safety features that are not mandated by the NHRA to have, but we use some of them. We have what we call a diaper, which is made by Stroud Safety. It is placed around the bottom of the motor and mounted in place, if the engine were to blow up all the oil and parts will be contained in this diaper, instead of all over the track, causing for an accident and shut down time for the race. Racing is a dangerous sport, but by taking the proper safety precautions and remembering safety always comes first, it becomes a lot of fun! "

Kim's schedule is always packed, and may become more so in the future. Plans are to continue "Reaction Times Motorsports" working with Turner Productions, which is a full-fledged production house with all digital equipment. "We do everything from TV shows to commercials to infomercials, we do it all. They have been like a family to me, a great bunch of people to work for. I look forward to many more years producing and hosting Reaction Times. It's a lot of hard work and time, but worth every minute of it!"

As if that weren't enough, Kim is considering competing in the Southern Fastruck Series this year. The Series will air on the Sunshine Network throughout the state of Florida and throughout the country on FOX Sports Net satellite. She's got her priorities firmly established though. "I will only compete at selected events that won't interfere with my drag racing schedule. Drag racing is where my heart is, but I'm having a lot of fun gaining experience in other areas of motor sports. More is never enough!"

Recently, Kim attended Skip Barber Racing School where she completed the course and obtained her SCCA Road Racing license in an Open Wheel Formula Dodge, and there has been talk that they would like Kim to join them and compete in the SCCA Southern Series. "That kind of racing keeps me on top of my game and makes me a much better driver on and off the track. I think it's the busiest cockpit in all motor sports, and I love it!!!" She has also completed the Skip Barber Stock Car School.

Her future drag racing plans include running a NHRA Top Fuel Dragster and she is in talks with some people to start on getting her licensing done. "We have the car, the transporter, the team; we have everything but sponsorship money," she reports. "We are definitely making progress in that area, so I'm hoping it's only a matter of time. I am so excited about this venture, it's a great team and I feel once we are out there we will be very successful and make some noise! Literally! "

The bottom line? "I can't wait to get in the seat of that car, with 6000 HP right behind you and run over 300 mph in a quarter mile; it's going to be incredible!!!"

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