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Winning is not just part of reason Modifieds Rookie Timmy Near straps in and trades paint at Auto City Speedway, it is the reason he’s out there every Saturday night.
“It’s fun,” Near said. “Racing is fun, but I’m out there to Win!”
Near got started in Go-Karts when he was eight.
“My Grandpa Traft Abbot raced,” Near said. “And he got me started. I grew up racing. I raced karts all over, but mostly at Houghton Lake and a few at Arthur’s Raceway in Reese, MI.
“When I was 13 or 14 years old I transitioned to cars. I started in the Bomber Division here at Auto City.”
Last year, Near’s uncle Traft Abbott Jr. gave up his seat in the S & S Auto Parts Modified of Leonard Short to give Near a shot this season.
“My uncle (Abbott) has taught me a lot,” Near said. “He gave up his seat so that I could move into Mods and he’s there every night, riding me when I make a mistake and teaching me what to do next. He’s really hard on me and has taught me how to be tough and stick with it.”
Near does a lot of the work on his Mod and has the help of many friends in his Pit Area.
“There’s so many people that help, especially since it’s my first year in Mods,” Near said. “The car owner Leonard Short does a lot, my Uncle Traft, Kurt Reinboldt, my cousin Kevin Palmer, my girlfriend Kirstin Short, A. J. Thompson, and so many more. There’s too many to list, but I couldn’t do it without everyone. I’m so thankful for all the help.”
Near puts in over 30 hours a week on the Mod to get ready for Saturday night.
“It’s a second job,” Near said. “It’s hard too. I’ve never worked on a Mod before. We’re doing pretty good, though. I won my second feature of the season already. We’ll get it.”
Near’s main sponsors are Phil’s Transmission, Wind Pusher Racing and Outlaw Shock Dyno Service.
“I’d like to thank all my sponsors,” Near said. “I wouldn’t be on the track without them.”
Near is glad that he made the move to Mods for 2009 and is looking forward to a fun season with only one thing on his mind, winning.
“It’s all I think about,” Near said. “When I’m sitting there waiting for the green flag to drop I want to win. I’m just thinking about how to get in front.”
cws
