BUZZ SODEMAN MORE COLUMNS SPECIAL TO THE PVT Shane Nunnally, in driver's suit, displays one of the trophies he won at the Pahrump Valley Speedway this past season. His Outlaw Kart is shown in action at the right. SPECIAL TO THE PVT His Outlaw Kart is shown in action at the right. Advertisement

Competing in relative obscurity, the Outlaw Karts really never were given the recognition that they deserve at the Pahrump Valley Speedway.

This was a very competitive division that often found the youngsters racing in near darkness and empty spectator seats. However, it is the future of racing as we know it.

These young racers will someday be the Saturday Night Heroes that other children will clamor to get autographs from and idolize. No one knows where the next Kyle or Kurt Busch will come from; remember, they began their careers racing Dwarf Cars in Pahrump and Mohave Valley Raceway.

Shane Nunnally is the second Outlaw Kart Champion that I have had the pleasure of interviewing. Last year's champion Taylor Bonetti relinquished her crown to just another soft-spoken kid whose classmates don't even believe that he raced on most Saturday nights.

The mature young man, with a hint of Tom Sawyer thrown in, actually is able to wander the halls of Rosemary Clarke Middle School in relative anonymity. Shane was quick to point out, "because the kids don't believe me when I tell them, I don't tell everyone but my friends who come and watch me."

This was Nunnally's second season competing in the division and he readily admitted that the knowledge that he gathered over the past two seasons propelled him to the top of the division and just ahead of his sister, Haley.

Shane said that, "my most memorable race has to be my very first race, even though I didn't win that one." Actually, he waited until his second race to make his inaugural visit into victory circle.

The youngster takes a pro-active approach to racing his 2006 QRC Box Stock Outlaw Kart. It is powered by an Animal 5 hip. Briggs & Stratton engine.

According to his father, Todd, "this is basically what would be called a crate engine. With equal engines, the class revolves around the ability of the driver, as all are on equal terms when it comes to the engine." Shane monitored the tire pressure, cleaned and replaced the air cleaner and plugs and keeps the exterior clean and shiny."

Shane's mentor is none other than his father, Todd Nunnally, driver of the multi-feature winning Harris chassis IMCA Modified.

Shane indicated that he would like to follow in his father's footsteps. "I would like to move up to Mini Stocks, then Super Stocks and finally the Modifieds." He also suggested that he might be interested in driving a Nevada Cam Coupe but is fully aware that by the time he reaches that level, "that the division might not even exist."

When it came to picking a NASCAR idol, Shane didn't hesitate in naming Tony Stewart his favorite driver.

Because there is an age limit of 14, Shane will have to wait at least another year before moving up to the next learning curve.

He was adamant that he didn't want to move up in a class until he had mastered the one he was driving, "I want to be prepared not just in the way out there."

Shane has the added pressure of having to excel in the classroom or his seat time will be "seriously curtailed."

"My mom (Desiree) and my dad have told me that I have to maintain a good grade point average, right now I have A's, B's and C's. Rosemary Clarke has an all-A and an A-B honor roll and I'm not on that."

His favorite subject is math. Along with good grades, Shane has to stay out of trouble, something most 12-year olds sometimes have a hard time with.

It is obvious that his parents have taken a no nonsense attitude when it comes to the classroom and the track. In this family, racing is a privilege; it is not something taken for granted because your father is a successful Modified driver.

Shane doesn't compete in organized athletics program at Rosemary Clarke --"It would interfere with my Saturday night racing" -- but he does get fully involved in a pick-up game of flag football when the opportunity arises.

"I like to ride quads," he said. In addition to motorized vehicles, Shane is really into his BMX bike which requires pedal-power instead of a motor.

There is one factor that most racers realize; the importance of fans to their success, and Shane has learned well from his father.

"I would like to thank those fans that support me for coming out and watching me and for cheering for me." said Shane. "I hope that my championship will bring new fans out to watch me race at the new Death Valley Raceway."

Until he's is ready for the next step up, Shane will be driving his Outlaw Kart, trying to hold off the charges of his sister, Haley and Matt Talley.