12 year old wins Super Late Model 40 Lap Feature! (Youngest Ever?)

[@madcowmark7129]

Congratulations to you all, Great to see the win in only his 4th race. I could hear how proud Dad was, I think the crowd knew how proud Dad was. Bigger things to come in near future. Cheers from Australia.

[@borngifted6530]

Thank you Mark! Yeah I was a bit over the moon! LoL

[@tripleeathletics]

That’s was awesome to watch! The first one is always special, I will never forget my first Super Win. For a 12yr old, and to be his 4th start, that’s super impressive! Only those of us that drive these cars will have a true understanding of just how competitive Super racing is, and just how difficult it is to win. I’ve been fortunate as well, to have a Dad that put me in a Late Model after driving a 4 cylinder car like 3 times that my cousin talked me into buying. We weren’t even into dirt racing as my family were Drag Racers. Bought that 4 cylinder car to play around with, drove from 22nd to 5th my first night on dirt, then just a few weeks later my Pops bought the car that was dominating every race at our hometown track. Since then I’ve won well over 100 features and 10 Track Championships, so without my Pops none of it would be possible. So I’m sure that kid loves and appreciates you more than you know. Awesome stuff!!! New Fan here, and I subbed. P.S. What type chassis are you guys running? Thanks

[@borngifted6530]

Thanks so much for your story! What a great one at that! My son's is similar except for it's Grandpa that got him into it. I was grooming him to play golf as I did and my father did as well! Pretty glad to have found this hidden talent. Very lucky there. He started in the outlaw caged karts in the peewee division 3 days after his 5th birthday. By the age of 10 he was splitting time racing 4 cylinder (Hornets) and 500cc open division karts. Then after a total of 6 hornet races he moved to the Super Sport Division, which is basically a late model throw back. Back to the days of no roof, sideboards and wedge noses. You also had to run asphalt slicks just to add an unnecessary element of risk to the mix. LOL. Did that for about a season and a half before sliding into the late model at 12. His 1st super late model, The one in the video was a Shwartz chassis. Same with his Green and Orange car. Then he moved into the Capital with his Red and black #17. That's his current SLM. He took that down to the Wild West Shootout in Phoenix Arizona last January and ran with the big boys. Did very well. Those videos are up. He is now just finishing the building of his new Longhorn chassis it's the same look aslast years #17 the black and red. Pretty much has it built now. I believe that there are a couple big races, (Show Me100)? he and grandpa are looking at for this season and then whatever local races he decides to run. I have only missed a handful of out if town races if his as I'm his videographer, lol. With Covid who knows what will happen. He just missed getting into that Bristol race it filled so fast it was crazy! Thanks for the sub and enjoy all the videos! If there is a couple you really like feel free to share them in Facebook or whatever social media your on! Cheers!

[@jacobedwards7324]

every kids dream is to hear their dad you “you the man”

[@lehmanbarfield3514]

chuck norris’ dad said that when he was born

[@tykit9230]

Reminds me when Jeff Gordon was winning at my local track in a sprint at 13

[@heathmcdaniel9232]

Not sure when this video was taken but that's awesome & young talent hopefully he's keeping up with in the yrs to come he will be recognized keep up the work

[@borngifted6530]

It was 2&1/2 years ago. Yes he's still breaking records at a furious pace in the track! LOL. Thanks for the kind words! He's now traveling around to big races. Last year had a great run against the Best of the best in Phoenix, Arizona at the Wild West Shootout! Video is on the channel in the Super Late Model playlist! Cheers!

[@robertwestover2125]

Love watching this video! While cautions are normally the bane of the leader, they helped McClain in this case. The blue car was better on the long runs and could eventually reel McClain in, but once the cautions hit, and McClain could cool the tires, he was an even match for anyone. To win against a better car is a testament to his skill level! I’d love to see him get a NASCAR ASA Series ride, let him work his way up to Cup. He’s that talented.

[@borngifted6530]

That's the incredible thing about that race. It was all about the tires. It's amazing he led so many laps of the 40. The guy in the blue #71 was "Wild Brian Norton" and he's a very good wheelman that has been trying to win a feature at Willamette Speedway for 9 years! Interestingly enough during the post race interviews he said he was giving it everything he had and would start they closer or pull even with McLain and then he'd start to lose traction due to the tires heating up when he would make his move. He said he just didn't have enough to win cleanly. What an amazing class act of a competitor. It literally brought tears to my eyes when Brian (9th year of trying to win a feature at Willamette), was out of his harness before he got his car completely stopped, jumping out of his car and running over to McLain's car and high diving him on an incredible win in what was his 4th time behind the wheel of that car! In his mourning a near miss to accomplishing something he dedicated to years ago he found pure joy in witnessing one of the most incredible things he's ever seen to this day. Gives me goosebumps!

[@danielraynor4075]

If this video was taken a few years ago and all I want to know is he still hitting the track or what! Amazing to see

[@borngifted6530]

Yes, he just turned 15 a few months ago and he is now traveling around to just big races. 1st one of 2021 is about a month away. Wild West Shootout in Phoenix, Arizona! Go#17

[@earlcote5789]

Where was this at this was incredible to watch

[@clintarbogast9431]

So damn Happy for that kid! Awesome!🤘

[@borngifted6530]

Me too I've seen that video about 400 times and I still get emotional when I watch it LOL 😂

[@PeachStateATV]

Awesome what track was this I’d love to race my lawnmower on that inside track

[@borngifted6530]

Willamette Speedway in Lebanon. That inside track is where the kid got his start running outlaw caged karts!

[@robertwestover2125]

That young man has ice water in his veins! He kind of reminds me of a young Jeff Gordon; smooth, hits his marks, few mistakes! He has a very bright future if he wants it !!

[@borngifted6530]

I agree, thanks for the kind words!

[@JArtMiller]

Great run! A couple of real good wheel men here. Congratulations. But how did he get P1 after the lap 35 caution? The blue car beat him to the flag on the last lap under green. @15:16.... The lights are still green when they enter turn1 and the yellow lights go on at @15:21

[@borngifted6530]

I thought the same thing as you did and I actually asked that night. That was one of the reasons the yellow lasted so long. It was determined that the yellow had been initiated earlier than when the lights actually came on.

[@JArtMiller]

@@borngifted6530 It would’ve been a great show to see them race the last five inverted. Your boy had him and could’ve showed even more of his talent. 👍

[@borngifted6530]

That would have been fun!

[@garycunningham1313]

In dirt racing the lap has to be complete which means all the cars on the track have to go by the start finish line if not it reverts to the last complete lap

[@JArtMiller]

@@garycunningham1313 Not so.The leader taking the green flag, not the field determines the restart order.

[@aarontoddadventures3817]

That was awesome!

[@borngifted6530]

Thanks! Check out how he did in Phoenix, Arizona last January at 14 against the Best of the best! Video is in the Super Late Model playlist! Cheers!

[@robertbradford7892]

A Natural Talent...👌

[@fredrickcorey3040]

What a Great Future this young man has! Wow! 12 year old putting a whopping on the field. I hope he gets NOTICED. NASCAR?

[@borngifted6530]

Thanks for the kind words! He's certainly a very talented young man. He's been noticed quite a bit. It didn't hurt that last year he went and competed against the big boys at the Wild West Shootout in Phoenix, Arizona. At age 14 he became the youngest to ever make it to the Feature Event in the history of the event and he actually made it to 2 Features with his best finish 13th. You can say he got some attention after that. LOL

[@fredrickcorey3040]

@@borngifted6530 THATS AWESOME. I RACE THUNDERSTOCK IN NORTH FLORIDA. THATS A COMPETITIVE CLASS. VERY COMPETITIVE. I COULD NEVER AFFORD LATE MODELS. LONG STORY SHORT, I ALMOST GOT TEARY EYED WHEN U TOLD YOUR SON HE WAS THE MAN! THAT HAD TO BE A AWESOME DAY/FEELING FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY! WISH I COULD OF SEEN THE TRACK INTERVIEW. TELL YOUR SON THAT IM A FAN. I WILL BUY A SHIRT IF U ALL HAVE THEM. THANKS 👍

[@borngifted6530]

@@fredrickcorey3040 yeah I get choked up every time I watch it and I have watched it probably 400+ times! Lol. Working on merchandise now I will let you know when it's available. Feel free to subscribe, share the video and let all your friends know to do the same! Thanks again for your comments! They are greatly appreciated and I will pass your message on to my son!🙂

[@michaellukasiewicz9683]

You cut the video shot I'd loved to see his when he climbed out, maybe next time, great driving, feature champion 🏁🏁🏁ML33MI

[@borngifted6530]

Yeah, I wasn't really familiar yet with what was going to take place next. The adrenaline had taken over and all I wanted to do was get to my son and give him a high 5 and a hug! LOL

[@joestephan1111]

Please include where the track is at. Thanks.

[@TheBrookian]

I'm surprised that everyone ran him clean. Seems like the usual "good-ole-boys" of dirt late model would have bullied him more. They were all respectful.

[@borngifted6530]

I can't tell you how much I worried about that, lol! Thankfully a pretty good group of racers out there at Willamette Speedway. Very talented group as well!

[@ihavefallenandicantreachmy2113]

"good-ole-boys." Everyone, else, is Eleven. Combined.

[@jpbishop4066]

Now that is a talented kid. At 12 he drove a super late model like that. 👍

[@borngifted6530]

Thanks, yes he definitely keeps me on my toes! LOL

[@putdacookiedown9282]

Quick question we’re was this race set at I’m pretty sure my uncle went there

[@borngifted6530]

Willamette Speedway in Lebanon, Oregon

[@putdacookiedown9282]

@@borngifted6530 lol that’s were my uncle went :D

[@borngifted6530]

@@putdacookiedown9282 Right on!

[@putdacookiedown9282]

@@borngifted6530 right on indeed

[@paulyassy257]

I wonder who paid for that car?Every 12 year old should have a chance in a race car.Right?

[@borngifted6530]

Unfortunately I do know who paid for that car LOL Crazy stuff for sure!

[@jimgehl1671]

9*3

[@youknoweverything7643]

I was 9 in a full size car for my first ever race kids have no fear until they got to foot the bill qhen they get to be 29 lile me lol then they become more cautious. If I didn't have to pay for my racing 100 percent on my own I would be taking same chances I was when I was a kid growing up driving and I would win alot more races I won 5 this year but when I was 9 in mini stock I won 16 races and championship and rookie of year in every class I was a rookie in from then on and top 3 in points in every class as well kids drive so good cuse no fear to get hurt or foot the bill

[@borngifted6530]

I totally get what you're saying! To be honest, it was exactly like that in the beginning but then he started paying for things on his own and picking up big sponsors. He started 3 days after his 5th birthday in the Outlaw Cage Karts. Made his big track debut just after turning 10 in the Hornet division. Your career sounds very similar to his. That's pretty cool. Thanks for sharing that!

[@trentcooper7859]

I thought you had to have a driver's license to race

[@borngifted6530]

Depends on what class you are referring to. The Super Late Model Division normally has a requirement for age of 16. It varies though depending on whether you are racing in a sanctioned event or not. Like a Lucas oil event states 16 but there are provisions given a racer's experience and results. It also varies by track if you're not running a sanctioned league or series. Some tracks have strictly 16 an up for any car division but most only have that for late model and imca modified. Hope that helps?

[@clyd1206]

Very awesome but I have to ask what Im sure many people are thinking. How was it legal for him to drive? I know where Ilive 15 is the legal age. Even that seems young to me BUT 12!!! sheesh God forbid he is in a hard wreck. I saw a 15 year old hit hard in a lite modified a couple weeks ago and his parents were losing their minds. Very impressive but ooof

[@borngifted6530]

That's the general rule of the track. The only exceptions are given to seasoned younger drivers that have to prove that they can handle the car. In his case he started in outlaw Cage karts 3 days after he turned 5 and had progressed up through those ranks until he got to the 500 open class at age 10. It was then we put him in a hornet to see if he could drive it. He was pretty small so there were many alterations done to make sure he could safely handle the vehicle after that was done he had to go run 20 laps for the track owner while his lap times were being recorded. At the end of that test the owner said he could start in the back of the field in the next hornet race. He quickly moved into a really unique class called Super Sports. Basically a late model with sideboards, a wedge nose and asphalt slick tires. At 11 years old he won 3 Features in that class and finished up 4th in points only racing 3/4 of the season. That class is almost nonexistent so the decision to make the move to Late Models was based on him learning from some of the best in the West. Moving into this class he had to once again start from the back as to not get in anyone's way. Well he didn't. He finished 5th starting in P-24. That race you just watched him win happened 3 races later! I have to say that I was nervous as hell when he first got into that car. Then to see him avoid disaster after disaster happening right in front of him, I soon felt much more at ease. It's definitely been a whirlwind of a journey so far!

[@clyd1206]

@@borngifted6530 You sir have one talented son. I dont live in the area but ill be routing for him and checking in once in a while. Hope everything goes well for him and your family

[@borngifted6530]

Thanks so much!

[@borngifted6530]

@@clyd1206 Thank you for the kind words!! They're truly appreciated! 👍

[@BUDSBEAU]

congrats to the young man. now, for the review of the race track itself. as big as it is, its very slow. too flat waaaaaaaay too dry. poor track surface makes for poor racing and slow speeds.