Profile On: Alan Ambers!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Alan Ambers, #93A 305 Sprint Car Driver
by Joanne Cram
Orland, California transplant, Alan Ambers, has made Knoxville, Iowa, his home town since he was thirteen. This is a wise move for a racing family, looking to build on their racing dreams of running a karting track and ultimately, pursuing a career in sprint car racing.
Alan began racing Outlaw Dirt Karts at the ripe old age of six years old back in California, where he showed the circuit that he had the talent to move his racing dreams forward. In two years’ time, he had earned the same number of championships with his racing. His family raced all up and down the west coast, including Idaho- hitting as many competitions as they could. In 1998 and 1999, Alan won championships in Box Stocks and Outlaw Dirt Karts in California. He has over 50 career A-main event wins in California alone. A highlight of his young career is winning the 50 lap feature in California at the 1999 Wind River Casino Race in his Outlaw Dirt Kart.
After seeing a need for a youth developmental program, Alan’s grandfather, Dan Ebright decided to move the family to Knoxville, Iowa, where he believed he could create a program for young racers that would allow them to develop their talents and ultimately move up to sprint car racing at the famed Knoxville Raceway. In 2003, the entire family moved midway across the country to build their dream. The following year, Dan built English Creek Speedway with the help of Rick Shilling from scratch, a facility that races Outlaw Dirt Karts, Box Stox, micro sprints, and even lawn mower races for the developing talent, as well as the seasoned talent alike. The facility is aimed at family friendly fun, and staunch competition as well.
After the move to Iowa in 2006, Alan continued racing his 500cc open Outlaw Dirt Kart at the family run English Creek Speedway, as well as some regional races to gain more experience. Alan was named as the 2006 English Creek Speedway Driver of the Year and he earned English Creek Speedway Champion in both 2006 and 2007, proving his racing talent was quickly gaining momentum.
The following season of 2008, Alan moved to a more mobile race schedule, traveling around Iowa, in addition to his English Creek schedule, partnering with the Mills family for a season and a half. At the end of the 2009 season, Ambers joined with Shawn Goodno and Cory Johnson to race, and the team bought their first sprint car. Last season brought Alan to the half mile dirt track he had been dreaming of racing at, where he competed in the 305 class- earning 10th in overall points for his rookie season. In addition to the Knoxville schedule, Alan competed with the Midwest 305 Series and made his way into a top 5 points finish as well as Rookie of the Year honors.
2011 holds great expectations for Alan. He plans to continue racing with Shawn Goodno and GP Motorsports in the 305 at Knoxville’s weekly program. In addition to the weekly Knoxville Racing action, Alan plans to race with the 305 Midwest Series, as well as many of the Sprint Invaders 360 series races.
Goals for the season include a podium finish at Knoxville, and at least two wins with the Midwest 305 Series. Long term, Ambers would like to run a 410 for points at Knoxville Raceway, as well as compete in a traveling series around the Midwest.
When Alan isn’t racing, working on cars, or trying to build racing relationships, the 21 year old Knoxville graduate works for Goff Farms in Knoxville.
Crew chief is Keaton Nunnikhoven, crew includes Mark Aarons, James Ambers, Joel McCullough, and Kyle Minks. Alan’s supportive family includes his grandfather, Dan Ebright, Dad and Mom- Mike and Tracy Ambers, brother, Cody and sister, Danielle. Sponsoring the #93A 305 this season are Stivers Ford, Graham Tire, Northland Oil, Malco, Knoxville Manufacturing, Northcote Meats, Q Mills Racing, and QTC.
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