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Kimberly Houk reporting While most kids her age are busy riding bicycles, a 9 year old Murray girl is going 60 miles an hour in her very own race car!
We spent some time with the girl who learned how to drive at the ripe 'ol age of.seven!
Paige Lundeen, Drag Racer: “I started when I was 8, and I’ve loved it ever since."
Paige Lundeen may have started racing when she was 8, but before she could head to the track, she had to first learn how to drive.
Paige Lundeen, Drag Racer: “When I was 7 we'd go over to my school during the summer, and he would teach me how to drive it."
Paige and her father are a team, and racing is what they love to do.
Brian Lundeen, Paige's Father: “I know she can handle it. She's a really good driver. "
And on most hot, summer nights, you can find the Lundeen family at the Rocky Mountain Raceway, cheering Paige on. Racing is a skill that Paige says has taught her maturity and how to focus.
Paige Lundeen, Drag Racer: “When I’m up at the starting line, and I’m in the car - I have to be focused."
Paige says she must also be prepared.
Before she races, Paige studies the weather, the humidity, the wind, and she also pays attention to altitude. All these things factor into how fast she can make her car go.
Paige Lundeen, Drag Racer: “The very first time I went down the track - I had butterflies in my stomach. "
Reaching speeds as high as 60 miles an hour, Paige says her need for speed is stripped if she doesn't pull good grades in school.
Paige Lundeen, Drag Racer: A's: I can race out of state. B's: I stay here in Utah, and C's: it's parked. I can't drive it, until I bring my grades up."
Still seven years away from getting her driver's license, Paige says that won't hold her back from taking her racing to the next level, and increasing her speed.
And Paige is very good at racing. She's won most of her races this year. She'll be racing again at Rocky Mountain Raceway on September 25th.
