Benjamin Nile of Anson, ME is racing this season in the Late Model Pro 4 at Unity Raceway
Benjamin’s career started in 2005 when he was only 8 years old and took home the Box Stock Champion at Richmond Raceway with 4 wins and 19 top 5 finishes. That year he won the 2005 Sportsmanship Award. Next Ben was the Junior Sportsman Champion at Richmond Raceway at only 9 years of age! He had 9 wins and over 20 top 3 finishes.
That year he won the 2005 Sportsmanship Award.
Next Ben was the Junior Sportsman Champion at Richmond Raceway at only 9 years of age! He had 9 wins and over 20 top 3 finishes. That year he went away with the Outstanding Driver Award. In 2007 Ben finished 4th in the Teen Thunder Division at Unity Raceway and had 4 top 3 finishes. That year he also took home the 2007 Championship Award. The following year in he was Teen Thunder Champion at Unity Raceway with 3 wins and 11 top 3 finishes. This year as a Rookie at age 12 in the Late Model Pro 4 Division, he’s had 3 top 5 finishes and 1 finish in the top 3 at Unity Raceway.
RPM. How did you get started in racing?
Ben. My entire family raced. My grandfather, my dad and several uncles and cousins all raced at Unity Raceway. My dad also raced a few times at Oxford and Spud. It’s in my blood so it was only natural that I would start racing as soon as I was old enough to reach the pedals.
RPM. What is the Key to getting around Unity Raceway?
Ben. Corners, corners, corners…It doesn’t matter how big your motor is, if you can't get your car to roll through the corners you better hope you can beat them on the straights. Handling is way more important than speed.
RPM. If you could change one thing to improve the racing at Unity Raceway, what would it be?
Ben. I would re-pave the track. The lips on the outside of the track are breaking apart and if you get hung up on them you had better hold on because if you don’t save it you're probably going into the dirt pile. The roughness gives it character though and that’s what makes it a tough track to win on. If you can win here you must be a really good driver.
RPM. What is your most memorable moment in your racing career?
Ben. It would have to be winning the championship at Unity last year. I was so excited! The youngest driver ever to win a championship title at Unity raceway.
RPM. Where do you see your racing career in 5 years?
Ben. Well, that's a tough question. If the economy keeps going the way it is I don’t know if there will be any racing at all. But if there is still racing I will definitely be in either a Late Model or a Pro Stock touring series.
RPM. Are you planning on attending any driver school?
Ben. I would like to. You never know what will (or won't) be there in the future. I would also like to attend Nascar Technical Institute to learn more about working on cars to go along with driving them.
RPM. Do you work on the car, or just drive?
Ben. I help as much as I can. I don't know how to work on them a lot so I have to have my dad there to show me what to do and help me. But I always watch what he is doing so I can learn more.
RPM. Other than racing what else are you doing on your summer vacation?
Ben. Not too much. I have been trying to be more serious about my racing so I have had very little time to do other sports. I might be playing football in August if the schedule doesn't interfere with racing. I'm also mowing lawns to try and make a little extra money for myself.
RPM. What grade will you be in next year?
Ben. I will be in 7th grade this fall at Carrabec Community School in North Anson.