The week on “In the Pits” stars Phoenyx Kimball, an eager young driver who just made the Jump from Bandoleros to Legend Cars. Her unique paint scheme of green flames on her 88 car distinguishes her presence at the track. Racing alongside her sister, Raven, Kimball is a standout in the motor racing community participating in events such as Women with Drive motorsports conference and NASCAR day at the PNC Arena.
Hometown: Raleigh, NC
Division: Young Lions
Car Number: 88
Team: Dillon Spain Motorsports
Favorite Vacation Spot: Cruises to the Bahamas
Favorite Color: Black, it goes with everything
Favorite TV Show: Ginny & Georgia
Favorite Food: Crab Legs
1. What sparked your interest in racing? What made you want to start driving?
Ever since I was little we’ve been going to NASCAR races. Since then, I had a friend, he’s actually on my team, Carson Haislip, he started racing Bandos. I went to watch him once and I just wanted to start from there. I did a go-karting league at Rush Hour Karting down in Raleigh, North Carolina for a little bit. I just picked it up from there.
2. What is your favorite racing memory?
My first ever win; Auburndale Speedway at 2020 Nationals. I got it in the Beginner group. It was my first win. My whole family was there. It was just very special because not many people get to experience it, and I did.
3. What was taking part of NASCAR day at the PNC arena like?
They had Wake County Speedway, some of the drivers showing off their cars. Everyone that came into PNC Arena to watch the Hurricanes game would come and look at the cars and we signed Hero Cards. I actually got to meet a few NASCAR drivers. I was invited to it in 2021, and I met Kyle Larson. It was a good experience to meet people because you never know who's out there looking at you.
4. What are your goals for the 2023 season?
I at least want to get a few wins, but I am not big on being the best of the best. This is my first season [in a Legend Car]. I am just trying to learn, figure out the car, [and] how it feels. Maybe later on we will run for a championship, but this season is a learning experience.
5. Why did you choose such a unique paint scheme for your car?
My name is Phoenyx, and we think of the bird. So, it's like flames, there's flames on my car. [The color of it, Green] is unique, it makes you stand out, it makes people look at you more.
6. If you were pulled into victory lane right now, who would you want to thank?
I would want to thank my team, especially Dillon Spain, [and] the whole DSM team. Also, my parents, without them this wouldn’t have happened, and all my sponsors.
7. Do you have any pre-race “rituals” or things you always have to do on race day?
I don’t do anything specific, I just go out there and run the best I can. I don’t have anything I wear that's always making me win, or good luck or anything.
8. What is the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome in the racing world?
Being a girl, and beating these boys. It's kind of an issue to them knowing. No one really likes it. Everyone is always trying to charge at me, and I get bullied for it. I don’t let it get to me really because bullies don’t matter. Many people don’t believe that girls can do what guys do. So, when a girl beats a guy it's a big issue. I am sure it's not just me, multiple girls in the racing community definitely have this issue. I just put it out there because I beat boys a lot, and no one likes it. It just makes all the other girls feel not alone.
9. Outside of racing, what other hobbies or activities are you involved in?
All it really is, is school, and the racetrack. School, then the racetrack every other day. I have a boyfriend, I go to football games and basketball games. But otherwise it's him, school, and racing.
10. If you could only race one (Dirt, Asphalt Oval, or Road Course) for the rest of your life, which one would you race?
Asphalt Oval, I am really familiar with it. I would rather do that. I’ve never ran on dirt before, but I did the Charlotte Road Course in a Bando, and it was not the best experience. I will never step foot on a road course again.
11. Do you have any advice to younger kids who are looking into getting started in racing?
Don’t be scared, don’t let anybody get to you or in your head. Just try your best. Everyone starts out somewhere. Obviously, you’re not going to be the best of the best your first season. All it is, is learning, learning, learning. Just don’t give up.
12. If you could describe your racing style in one word, what would you say?
Unique, I hold my steering wheel a weird way. Everyone always talks about the way I hold my steering wheel. I can be aggressive when it's myself on the track, but when it's other cars I like to be cautious.
13. If you could have a conversation with anyone, who would it be and why?
It would have been Hailie Deegan, but I’ve already had conversations with her. She was the one person I always really wanted to talk to. I went to the Women with Drive motorsports event. It had a bunch of women drivers. I was invited, and a bunch of drivers came in and talked to us about their racing experiences, what we need to look out for, and how we can make it better for ourselves. I displayed my car, too. I definitely met a lot of people there, some of the highest people in motorsports.
14. What is something many people don’t know about you?
All my siblings are named after things that can fly: Raven, Jet, and Hawk. Everyone is always surprised by that. They think it's weird, but unique. My sister races a Legend Car with me. We aren’t enemies on the track, it's kind of cool.