By Jessica Crepps
Daily Journal Staff Writer

Published: Friday, November 13, 2009
Updated: Friday, November 13, 2009 7:40 AM CST

While most seven-year-olds were learning to read and play ball, Carson Heady was busy learning to drive a race car.

Carson is a third generation race fan. His grandpa raced and his dad, Chad, continues to race.

Chad, who began to race in 1988, grew up at the race track watching his father race. The owner of Heady Engines, always knew that his children would race.

“Seven is the earliest he could race, but he was ready way before that.”

Carson, now 11, started racing  a QRC Outlaw Sprint Kart in 2006 at age seven. After racing for three years in Doe Run, he now races at Fredericktown.

“I’ve been hurt,” Chad said as he remembers wrecking over the years. Carson’s dad says he was worried at first when Carson began to race. But his faith in his son got him through.

“The average speed Carson races at is 60 miles,” Chad said. “Because he was in an open modified motor class, now he is in with no restrictor plates.”

Carson has wrecked, but never flipped or been injured badly.

“He knows to be in control at all times,” Chad said. “He is an 11-year-old outside the the car, but he becomes a 20-year-old inside, ready to race.”

Messages of inspiration from Chad are written inside Carson’s car.

Think fast! Think smooth! Drive hard Bub! Danny’s proud of you! Use your head!

Carson continues to gain sponsors through the years.

Among sponsors are Bauman Oil Company, Jackson Huitt, Heady Engines, KB Electric, Medicine Shoppe of De Soto, Fort Knox Security, A&B Medical Supply and Exterior Home Solutions, LLC.

First year sponsor Family Center Farm and Ranch Super Store displayed Carson’s car at their annual Saw Days in October.

Mark Puckett, store manager of the Bonne Terre location, helped with the event. Personal care items were collected for the women’s shelter. Bear Creek Kids 4-H sold food. Fire departments, K-9 units and forestry services were there to educate and live entertainment by Jamie DaGonia, Dan Bullock and The Sheriff’s Band, Final Phase and Drastic took the stage.

It was Family Center’s first year sponsoring a race car.

“We had to wait for a winner,” Puckett said.

Jessica Crepps is a staff writer for the Daily Journal. You may reach her at 573-431-2010 ext. 143 or jcrepps@dailyjournalonline.com