14-Year-Old from Franklin Blazes His Way into Local Racing Scene

Rick Rarer

Rick Rarer

Published June 16, 2018 4:30 am
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FRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) – At age fourteen most kids are dreaming of racing, but not Blaze Myers of Franklin. This third year modified racer recently scored his first career win at Sharon Speedway in Hartford, Ohio.

Some may even call Blaze a racing veteran considering this young chauffer has been racing since the age of six behind the wheel of a go-kart. After cutting his teeth in the go-kart division and picking up wins at Slippery Rock Speedway and the now-closed kart track at Tri-City Raceway, Blaze moved on to four wheeler racing as he prepared to make the jump to a full-size race car.

Myers made the transition to the RUSH modified division at just twelve years of age. The division uses a cost-effective crate motor but features cars that are nearly the same as those used in big block modifieds. The RUSH series races at almost all of the tracks on the western Pennsylvania circuit giving drivers experience on many different surfaces and track sizes. The group is made up of a nice mix of young drivers and modified veterans. Blaze cites Sharon Speedway and Lernerville Speedway as his favorite tracks on the tour.

Blaze Myers on his way to a sweep at Sharon Speedway winning his heat and first career feature ( Rick Rarer Photo)

When Blaze Myers visited victory lane for the first time, he made history by becoming the youngest RUSH modified winner in series history. Making the win even more impressive is that it came against a record high field of 31 cars. And there were no slouches behind Myers when he won as he held off Garrett Krummert for the win, a big block modified regular and RUSH winner. Josh Deems, Alan Dellinger and defending RUSH weekly series champion Rocky Kugel rounded out the top five.

It’s no surprise that Blaze found himself behind the wheel of a race car at a young age as he has spent his whole life around the sport. His dad Billy Myers has been racing for years in several different divisions. He is best known for his success in the thundercar division at Tri-City Speedway where he collected several wins and is a former track champion. Today, Billy races when time allows as a teammate to Blaze in the RUSH modified series. Naturally, Blaze looks to his dad for racing advice but also says local veterans Randy Wyant and Kevin Hoffman have helped him out along the way.

Driving the car is just part of racing for Myers as plenty of work goes into the cars during the week getting them race ready for weekend competition. With his dad Billy running the garage during the week, there is plenty for Blaze to do. Washing the car, checking over all of its bolts, tire prep, changing gears, loading the car, making sure the trailer is stocked with extra parts, tires and all the tools needed are just some of the weekly duties to make sure things go smoothly at the track.

Racing is an expensive sport and as always, without the help of great people and great sponsors, it wouldn’t be possible. Myers definitely wants to thank his sponsors and all the people that make it possible for him do what he loves. Billy Myers, Brandy Myers, Kyler Jolley, Kortnee Myers, Billy’s Garage, R&R Enterprises, RK Virgile Scrap Metals, Two Cousins Pizza, Linda Lou’s Restaurant, and Dunlap’s Lawn Care are all a big part of the team.

Although he is only 14-years-old, Blaze is looking towards the future and would like to move up to the big block modifieds, the more powerful version of the RUSH modifieds. Ultimately, he would love to move up to the sprint car ranks, the most powerful open-wheel cars on dirt. After his big win at Sharon Speedway, it looks like the sky is the limit for young Blaze Myers.

The next time you’re at your local dirt track, Keep an eye out for the #43 jr modified

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