Zack King -
The Lone Star Legends racing program at Texas Motor Speedway is having the final races of the 2012 points season in a triple header this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, August 9 - 11. With just three races left, local racer Zack King of Southlake is tied for the points championship in the Young Lions division in the Summer Stampede series at TMS. At the age of 14, Zack is in his second year of Legends car racing and has been racing in some form of motorsports since the age of 6.
article originally published in Southlake Style 6-2011
Zack's father, Robert King grew up in Memphis, Tennessee around the dirt track circuit so when his son, Zack, wanted to race go-karts Dad was totally pedal to the metal. That was over six years ago and since then the family spends many a weekend at the race track with mom, Kim, and even sister, Bailey, pitching in when needed in the pits. It all started when after doing the research on his own, Zach decided he wanted to start racing karts with the North Texas Karter’s Association and after a few years behind the wheel of a kart he progressed to driving bandolero cars (think miniature stock car). Then, in January of 2011 Zack started racing Legends cars with Lone Star Legends at Texas Motor Speedway. With Zack in the driver’s seat, Dad acts as the chief mechanic. During practice and on race days, Robert times the laps, Zach reports on the car’s handling, and they make adjustments. The two are so in tune with each other they operate like a fine tuned engine themselves working together to get the most out of the car.
The Legends car itself weighs 1,300 pounds not including the driver and there is no power steering so it takes a lot of strength to turn the wheel and maneuver the vehicle while racing. Add a complete fire safety suit, including a hans device, and all the special equipment necessary for a driver and it’s no surprise that Zach works hard to stay in shape to meet the demands of his sport. Dad is behind Zack all the way supporting his dream of becoming a Nascar driver; as long as he goes to college first.
This duo sticks together until they take the checked flag, and with a roomful of trophies and plaques on the wall it’s obvious this partnership is in the fast lane.
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