It all started at the age of three when Taegan Knowland began watching NASCAR races with his Grandpa Bert "Pop" Lanum. From ages four through six he expressed interest in racing cars, but the answer was always no. When the interest didn’t wane, his parents, Amanda and Tanner, told him they’d give it a try. So at the age of seven, Taegan showed up at the Topeka Quarter Midget Association’s Arrive and Drive event where kids who are interested in racing can come to the track, watch a race, and actually drive a car to get a feel for what it’s like.
Since that day, Taegan has been completely engulfed in the racing world. He began racing quarter midgets and won his very first rookie race. A few months later he would win the USAC.25 Nationals at Daytona International Speedway. Last year, he added bandoleros to his race arsenal, competing each summer in the prestigious Cookout Summer Shootout at Charlotte Motor Speedway against well-known names in the race community, like Brexton Busch.
“I love the high energy,” Taegan said. “Not knowing what’s going to happen next.” When asked if he was ever scared, he said, “I’ve never been scared before a race… maybe that nervous feeling in the pit of your stomach… but not scared.”
Racing on this level requires a lot of commitment. Taegan is 10 now and has been racing for almost four years. He practices in a racing simulator every day that he’s not out of town traveling for a race. It’s a driver’s seat with a screen that allows him to virtually practice on many of the tracks he’ll be competing on. With that kind of schedule, he had to give up soccer, basketball, and football. But he knows that nothing comes without hard work and dedication. His goal is to be a NASCAR driver by the time he’s in his early twenties.
Taegan says there are two things he likes most about racing: getting to meet new people and using his platform to give back. Taegan partners with one of his sponsors, Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, to raise money for kids with pediatric cancer.
He has been to 30 states so far and has friends all around the country. “When we get to the track, we walk to the garages and talk and hang out. Every track is different, so I try to learn as much as I can from the other drivers - where the optimal racing line is around the corners and down the straightaways.”
Taegan is definitely on the right track. With his skills, attitude, and the support of his family, he’s going places… fast! To learn more, visit TaeganKnowlandRacing.com.