BRISTOL— Cherokee sophomore Kellie Shortridge made it back to winner’s circle at Bristol Dragway, capturing first place at the Brawl in Bristol in her junior dragster on July 27.

The win in Bristol was her fifth victory of the season and seventh of her career.  She roared to the top defeating 23 other drivers.  Some of the other highlights of her career include a first round win in the Junior Nationals.  Last season at Cherokee Raceway Park, now Cherokee Motorsports Park, she placed fifth in points.  She won her first race at age 14 and is gung-ho about a possible career in drag racing.  She took up drag racing at the age of 13.

Shortridge currently is eighth in points, but has experienced some engine difficulties this season explained her mother, Vivian Shortridge.

While Shortridge does currently race at Cherokee Motorsports Park, she has plans to take her driving skills to Bristol regularly in 2009.

In the Brawl in Bristol at Bristol Dragway race she ran an elapsed time of 8.242 on her dial-in of 8.22 and a reaction time of .022.

Kellie’s mother explained of her daugther’s interest in the sport, “she is pro active with racing as a career.

“She has e-mailed several companies herself in pursuing a sponsor so she can run top fuel one day.   She works hard on her own car, changes the oil, and gauges her tires.  She enjoys working on her own car.

“She says it’s the only way to know your car,” her mother added.

Kellie is a fan of Ashley Force, but pointed out she drives Funny Cars while Kellie is only interested in driving a rail.  Her role model is Tony Schumacher, who only recently won his 50th race.

Kellie’s friends are supportive of her interest and had called her the “toughest girl in racing” due to her dedication to the sport and her drive to win.

Kellie comes by her love for racing honestly as she is the daughter of Dan Shortridge, Jr., a well known driver from Mooresburg.