#12x Stock Four - AJ Daniel - Driver profile from 2011 Racenight #11

Driver Profile - AJ Daniel - Stock Four #12x
By Tom Stephenson

This is AJ Daniel’s third year driving in the Stock Four division at laird.  When he first showed up on the track three years ago, he was driving a great looking Chevy S-10 truck, sponsored by North Shore Tractors.  He has lost that sponsor this year, and changed the paint scheme on the truck to a blue and white from the John Deere green and yellow, but it is still one of the best looking vehicles in his division.

The very fact that his race truck remains fairly clear of dents, dings, and black wheel rub marks at this point in the season is a testament to his driving.  AJ is a clean driver and you will rarely see him involved in collisions or spins now.  His first year was spend learning the ropes, and he didn’t have the handling of his truck down too good, but as time has progressed his driving has certainly improved.

AJ currently sits second in the group of over a dozen regulars in the division, about 30 points behind Chelsea Pace, and 30 points ahead of Leila Uhlman.  AJ said, “Oh ya, I’m doing really good this year”.  When asked what the secret might be he said, “My secret?  The secret is a new set of gears.  Plus experience, this is my third year racing so I have some experience behind the wheel.”
 
AJ stands for Alexander Jacob.  He is a young 17 years old, headed into grade 12 at Central Algoma Secondary School in Desbarats.  AJ is undecided about his future after high school.  He said, “I’m not sure, maybe I’ll become a millwright I think.  I’ll probably take that at Sault College.  Maybe go back to high school for another year, or work.”  AJ currently works on farms in his spare time.

AJ got his start in racing through his father Ian.  He said, “I’ve always been around the track since I was a little guy. I was in the pits running around.  My dad  built some cars that raced down here, that was a long time ago.  He built Sean Seabrook’s cars.”
 
Ian helps AJ in the pits nightly.  He said, “There is also Wes Penno, Jamie Fox, my mom and my sister that help out.  My cousin Tyler Brown sometimes comes out and helps too.”    If they are not in the pits, AJ’s mom, Jennifer, and sister, Alecia are up in the grandstands watching.

Besides racing in the Stock Four division, AJ has taken part in some of the Spin to Win derby’s at Laird Raceway.  If he keeps driving and decides to move up, it won’t be very long before AJ will be leading in one of the other divisions at Laird.