10 Questions with Zachary Tinkle

A couple of days ago I had the opportunity to speak with Zachary Tinkle.  

This young man has a lot of accomplishments under his belt already!  I cannot wait to see what he is able to accomplish in the next few years. 

I hope you find the first Behind the Helmet – Getting to Know the Driver of the Year.

You can find out more about Zachary here:  https://www.zacharytinkle.com/

https://www.facebook.com/ZacharyTinkle53/

Zachary’s sponsors are:

Left Paw Press

BTT Consulting

Pet Fashion Guild

Performance Friction Brakes

Bell Racing

Zachary Tinkle 

Age:  17

Hometown:  Speedway, IN

Hometrack:  Anderson Speedway

Car:  #53 Pro Late Model

2020 Season: CRA/JEGS All-Stars Tour

Past Accomplishments:  2019

CRA Late Model Sportsman Champion

Anderson Speedway Champion

Anderson Speedway Rookie of the Year

Not only does Zachary have an impressive racing portfolio he is also a best selling author with books including Zachary Tinkle’s Mini Cup Decision, Zachary Tinkle’s Mni Cup Rookie of the Year Dream, and Pug Bella the Pit Pet Fashionista  – all available on the Zachary Tinkle store

Zachary took time out of his busy schedule to talk to us a couple of days ago and let me tell you, he is an impressive person!  We talked about his plans for the season and he answered our ‘Behind the Helmet – Getting to Know the Driver Questions.

TLC:    What made you want to get your start in racing?

ZT:  I always had a drive for racing- I came out of the womb wanting to race! I have always had a fascination with cars and speed.  I was born that way.

TLC:   Who was your idol driver growing up?

ZT:  Jeff Gordon.  I would always root for him when we could watch.  We did not always have cable to be able to watch.  Gordon was Zachary’s idol growing up, and Zachary has a lot of respect for him.

TLC:   If you could go back in time and attend any race of any discipline, what race would you choose?

ZT:  The 1992 Hooters 500 at Atlanta where there were 6 drivers that could have won the championship and it was Jeff Gordon’s debut race and Richard Petty’s final race.

TLC:   If you could pick any current cup driver to have as a teammate, who would you pick and why?

ZT:  Kyle Busch.  He is a very good and technical driver.  He gets good results and can help improve the car.  He is knowledgeable, talented, and has experience.  He has built his own competitive team that wins races.

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TLC: What is your favorite memory at the race track?  Driver or spectator?

ZT:  When I won the Raintree 100 at Mt. Lawn in 2019. Once I got out front, he led 91/100 laps by over a 7 second lead over very experienced veterans. My great great grandfather, Harry Mc Quinn won the first feature race there.  Harry raced midget and up to the Indy 500 and was chief steward at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

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TLC:   If you didn’t get to be a race car driver, what would be your next career choice?

ZT:  Maybe an engineer or a business entrepreneur.

TLC:   What is your favorite unhealthy thing to eat?

ZT:  Mac-n-Cheese especially from Mc Alister’s.

TLC:   What is your favorite show to binge-watch?

ZT:  The Good Fight, F1 Drive to Survive and Snapped