Mercer, Pennsylvania native, Makayla Guidace, continues to prepare for her first full year in 358 Modified competition – as she plans to run weekly at Mercer Raceway Park in Mercer, Pennsylvania right along side her father, Frank Guidace! 

Starting in just a few short weeks, Makayla Guidace will be dropping the pom-poms and picking up a firesuit. The seventeen-year-old Mercer High School cheerleader will transition her focus from back flips and basketball cheers, to the sounds and fumes of her 358 modified.The young lady will participate in her first full season of short track competition in 2012 – and plans to do so at Mercer Raceway Park.

“I’ve been around racing for a long time…probably since I was born” quoted Makayla when discussing her involvement in racing, “My dad has been racing for 14 years.” 

Although this will be Makayla’s first year in a full size modified, her racing background is not limited. She spent many years in the kart ranks – racking up almost 20 wins and 1 track championship at Slippery Rock Raceway. Her father, Frank, is an accomplished 358 modified pilot with many wins and championships to his credit. But this season, it will be slightly different. The father-daughter relationship will have to be set aside on Saturday evenings this summer – as the two will be competing against each other in a points championship. 

“My dad is my idol!” MaKayla explains, “This has been my dream to race my dad and im very excited…nervous, but excited!”

The upcoming season will be a definite learning experience for the high school junior. Guidace has only hot-lapped a modified on a few separate occasions .

“Right now, I want to focus on earning respect from other drivers” explained Guidace, “Many people are already doubting me because I am a girl…I really want to prove to people, and myself, that I belong out there!”

Ms. Guidace plans to kick-start her season on Saturday, April 7th at Mercer Raceway Park! It is a regular points night at the 3/8’s mile oval. 

You can keep up with Makayla’s season progress all year long via Twitter and Facebook! Click here for more information…