May 2, 2014 – story and audio by Jacob Seelman for Speed77 Radio and Race Chaser Online – Proud Motorsports photo – OSWEGO, N.Y. – For Camden Proud, life right now couldn’t get much better.
The 15-year-old high school driver is preparing to make his professional racing debut this weekend at the famed Oswego Speedway in central New York, driving a Small Block Supermodified at the Steel Palace and attempting to follow in the footsteps of his father Tim, a regarded supermodified racer in his own right.
“I couldn’t be more excited to make this step driving the small block car this weekend at Oswego,” Proud expressed in a recent interview with Race Chaser Online. “This is all I’ve wanted to do since I was a little kid, watching my dad turn laps at the Speedway, and now it’s finally happening.”
“Not many high school kids can say they’re lucky enough to be able to drive a supermodified at one of the most famous tracks on the East Coast. I feel so blessed to have this opportunity.”
Proud has grown up in the shadow of the Oswego Speedway, watching his dad and his uncle Chris compete over the years at the famed facility. Both sit in the top 100 drivers all-time in small-block super points scored at Oswego, Tim qualified for the Budweiser International Classic in 2000 and Chris is ninth all-time on the SBS wins list at the 5/8-mile speedway, with eight victories to his credit.
Proud spends his days over on Buccaneer Boulevard, currently in his freshman year at Oswego High School, but will hit the race track on the weekends in a car built by his father. The simple aspect of proximity and family, Proud says, is the reason he knew from the beginning he wanted to get involved in motorsports.
“I’ve seen my dad turn probably thousands of laps here over the years,” Proud explained as he prepared his car at the Proud Motorsports shop earlier this week. “I knew I wanted to follow in his tire tracks for a long time, and I just had to wait for my turn. And now it’s finally here. This weekend is going to be incredible.”
The second-generation driver tested his SBS during International Classic week leading into Labor Day weekend last fall, and got a second chance to shake down his machine last weekend leading into Gater Racing News opening day on Saturday.
“We struggled a bit in the second round of testing,” Proud added after the test session last Saturday. “Part of that was due to the misty conditions and me being a rookie, it was tough on me knowing exactly how to handle the car in that situation.
“The rain was obviously an issue and it seemed like every time I went out, it started to either begin to rain or rain a little bit harder. I took the green, the car got really loose on the damp track, and I just barely touched the wall a little bit coming out of 2 that last session. The only damage was a scraped up wheel, but I was frustrated because of all of my Dad’s hard work and it being a brand new car to have that happen the first time out. It could have been much worse though,” Camden added.
“Last fall, we had it really solid; I was running mid 19-second laps and it felt really comfortable for me. If we can get it rolling like that again I think we’ll have a good solid car for this weekend.”
Proud says his goal for the first part of the season is simply to go out and turn laps to keep his Step One Creative car in one piece.
“I think if we can go out, run all the laps and I can learn from some of the veterans out there, we can definitely consider this first weekend a success. Our main goal is to be at the track every week and to compete for Rookie of the Year. I just want to respect my equipment and if I can do that, we should get a good result every time we roll on-track.”
“I don’t obviously think we’re gonna just go out and win races off the bat, but I think we can get there later in the season for sure,” Proud added.
Proud, a four-time quarter midget champion and multi-time feature winner in the USAC quarter midget ranks, says his test so far has been adjusting to the higher horsepower at his disposal behind the wheel of the SBS car.
“There is a big, big difference in power between an SBS and a quarter midget,” expressed the teenager. “That and figuring out where to let off the throttle took a few sessions to get used to. The car was very stable though as far as handling. Just like an oversized quarter midget,” Proud laughed.
While his dad campaigned the numbers 22 and 04 in his time behind the wheel, young Camden will wheel a red and white No. 54 car this weekend as he makes his Oswego Speedway racing debut. The young driver is hoping the number brings him similar success as it has to a high-profile driver in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, Kyle Busch.
“I chose the number 54 because I wanted something new and fresh, something that people would identify with me; I honestly don’t think anyone has ever campaigned the number in a limited car that I know of,” Camden explained. “You know, Rowdy (Busch) has had so much good come his way driving that number, maybe a little bit of it will rub off on us this year, who knows?”
With all the practice time complete, tomorrow is race day for the young rising star. While he admits the nerves are there, the 15-year-old maintained his upbeat personality and said he is more anxious than ever to get on the race track on Saturday afternoon.
“Yeah, I’m not gonna lie, I’m gonna be a little bit nervous when we roll out on the track to get started on Saturday,” Proud admitted. “But the truth of it is, I’ve been waiting for this day since January, and I’ve been excited about the possibility for a lot longer than that.”
“It’s going to be so special for me to turn this car up in race conditions on Saturday night and take that first green flag. I’m getting chills just thinking about it. I’m ready to go.”
For more information on Camden Proud and Proud Motorsports, follow the team on Facebook or visit http://www.proudmotorsports.com/ for weekly racing updates and more.
Listen in to our full interview with Camden Proud from Monday night’s edition of Motorsports Madness as he talked with managing editor and host Jacob Seelman about his impending debut at Oswego Speedway this weekend and his excitement about following in his family’s racing footsteps:
About Proud Motorsports
Proud Motorsports is a Small Block Supermodified race team owned by Tim and Debbie Proud, formed in 1994. The Proud Motorsports number 54 car & 15 year old driver Camden Proud currently compete weekly at the famous Oswego Speedway, located off the shores of Lake Ontario in historic and scenic Oswego, New York.
