Katie Hettinger is a 15-year-old NASCAR Late Model Driver for Matt Piercy Racing. She is the youngest female winner at Hickory Motor Speedway in Late Models and Limited Late Models.
What is your favorite track to race on? Anderson Speedway in Indiana
What is the most memorable moment in your career? (so far) Would have to be when I won the CRA Jr Late Model Championship in 2020
Do you have a pre-race routine? If so, what is it? Sometimes when I remember I do a shot of beet juice with my pre-race meal (usually an uncrustable 😂) and then I juggle tennis balls in the trailer. In the car one thing I do to get pumped up is I bang on my steering wheel a couple times and say a prayer
What is one goal that you have set for the rest of this racing season? For the rest of this race season I would like to win a CARS Tour Pro race because I think we are very close
Do you have any set racing plans for 2023? Hopefully run the full time short track ARCA Schedule
How do you balance the normal life of a teenager (high school) and your racing career? It can be hard sometimes with school, sports, and wanting to hangout with friends from back home but racing is what I want to do so that’s all just part of the sacrifices I have to make but I love racing so sometimes I bring friends to the races
You just competed at North Wilkesboro. What were your emotions like going into the race and what was it like driving against drivers like Dale Earnhardt Jr? It was an AMAZING experience I had so much fun with the media, fans, meeting Dale, and even in the race even though we didn’t have the results we wanted.
Is there a driver that you consider an inspiration? If so, who and
why? Besides Dale Jr my favorite race car driver is Kyle Larson because he is a great NASCAR driver as well as going back and racing dirt so I look up to him.
Do you prefer racing on dirt or asphalt? I love dirt racing it’s so much fun to watch and race and it was some of the funnest racing I did but asphalt is what I want to do so I still like asphalt.
Pineapple on pizza, yes or no? (Asked by a fan!) Whenever my family orders pizza for dinner we get Hawaiian (ham and pineapple) and then Barbecue chicken pizza so I do like both 😂
Follow Kate on her socials:
Facebook – Katie Hettinger Racing
Instagram – kt.hett
Twitter – katiehettracing
TikTok – katiehettinger71
