INDIANAPOLIS – Pennsylvania young gun Kyle Craker has joined Tucker-Boat Motorsports to continue his midget racing journey and will compete in the upcoming Driven2SaveLives BC39 presented by NOS Energy Drink at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Dirt Track.
Craker, who competed in 12 races earlier this season as a teammate to Brady Bacon at FMR Racing, will debut with Tucker-Boat Motorsports in the No. 85 Spike-Toyota this weekend during a POWRi doubleheader at Lake Ozark Speedway before traveling with TBM to IMS for the BC39 on Sept. 5-6.
The 17-year-old said that he and Frank Manafort parted on positive terms, wanting to take on a new challenge after the completion of his deal with FMR.
“From the beginning, we had an agreement with Frank (Manafort) that we were going to run 12 races, and at the end of the day that’s what we did,” said Craker. “Being able to team up with Chad was a great break and thankfully, the deal all came together. I feel like it’s a huge blessing for me and a great opportunity to see what we’re capable of as a team.
“I’m very excited to see what can come of this partnership. I know he’s a very talented driver and he has great equipment,” Craker added. “My hope is that it’s a good development program for me to be able to learn and hopefully get some good results, because that’s still the stage that I’m in right now.”
The crown jewel of Craker’s new deal with Tucker-Boat Motorsports will be racing alongside teammates Chad Boat, Karsyn Elledge and Zane Hendricks at Indianapolis, where Craker raced quarter midgets in his youth.
“It’s amazing to have a shot at competing in the IMS race,” Craker noted. “The entry list is huge, but I think what’s also really special is the fact that it’s inside the Speedway. I used to race quarter-midgets at the (Battle at the) Brickyard race that they have every year … which attracts 400 to 500 cars each year, so that was a big deal back then and now to go back will be an equally big deal and very special to me.”
With 118 midgets on the entry list for the historic event and only 24 starters making up a traditional USAC feature lineup, Craker knows how monumental – and how difficult – making the starting grid for the BC39 will be.
“It’s going to be very special – and stressful – just to make the race,” Craker pointed out. “To do well in the feature would be even more amazing, but my goal is just to go out, learn a lot, do as positive a job as I can for my team and hopefully get some good recognition and publicity out of the race week. If we can do that, I’ll feel really good about what we’ve accomplished.”
Particularly interesting about Craker’s journey to Indianapolis will be where he stays during the time leading into the event.
Craker will board with Camille Keys, from Avon, Ind., a die-hard dirt fan who hopes to see the young gun perform strong during the kickoff event to Brickyard 400 week.
“I got the idea to put out a post to all of my friends on social media, asking if I could stay in someone’s house (for Indy),” Craker recalled. “We couldn’t believe the response we got and how it got shared around. It’s a really cool opportunity and I’m really grateful to the Keys for allowing me into their home ahead of such a big event.”
Craker is hoping he can use the lessons he’s gathered so far to close out his season strong, especially given that 2018 has been his first year racing in the national midget ranks.
“Honestly, I’ve only had 12 races in a national midget so far in my career, so I’ve had to learn really quickly,” said Craker. “I also haven’t had the chance to be in a car every weekend to get that rhythm and experience … but being with the team (FMR Racing) that I was with, I was able to learn a lot from Brad Noffsinger and Bob East that I feel like will help me a lot as I go into the future.”
He also noted that since leaving FMR Racing, he’s invested his own time and money into helping to secure future opportunities for his career.
“Obviously, my dad made a big investment and commitment to get me started with the FMR team, and without that I wouldn’t be where I am right now … but I feel like I’ve gotten to a point where it’s my turn to come up with the money, work and put in the effort to find sponsorship,” Craker explained. “I might not be the one paying the whole cost to race out of my pocket, but I’m working hard to make some things happen.
“This is a big door that has opened for me and I hope to capitalize on it and perform for this Tucker-Boat team, because they deserve it and I know we can run strong.”
