by Mary Rupert
Jennifer Jo Cobb, from Kansas City, Kan., will return home to race in the Kansas Speedway NASCAR Xfinity series race at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, in Kansas City, Kan.
Racing a Chevy Camaro is a bit of a change from her usual truck racing.
“I actually raced Xfinity before I raced trucks,” Cobb said today. “I’ve raced more trucks, and enjoy both.”
The main difference is the aerodynamics of the racing, she said. Some areas such as suspension, are similar. The aerodynamics are much different because of the different types of vehicle bodies. It’s actually more difficult to race a truck than a car, she noted. Racing trucks is a lot of fun, but Xfinity racing is a little bit better for vehicle handling, she said.
Celebrating her 25th year of racing, Cobb said her biggest achievement is “just staying in the sport.”
Her best career finish was sixth at Daytona in truck competition in 2011, she said. “That was pretty amazing,” she said.
Toward the end of the race, when she saw she was in the third row next to Kyle Busch, she knew at that point that it would be either a spectacular wreck or a great finish, she said.
She said she is always chasing a win, but because of her budget, it’s not always feasible. She and other drivers are constantly looking for sponsors to have equipment that will allow them to consistently be competitive, she said.
Mark One Electric has been her primary sponsor at Kansas Speedway for every race since she’s gone full time in NASCAR, she said. Pizza Shoppe has been on board for every Kansas Speedway race for several years, she added. Last year at this race she met a new sponsor, Westsidevapor.com, who sponsored her at Daytona, Michigan and other races, as well as here, she added.
Several years ago there were many women competing in NASCAR racing, and currently there are only two women racing full-time at the NASCAR level, Cobb noted.
“I don’t’ think it’s any more different for women than for men,” she said. Many men have started to race and dropped out after some time, she added. “It’s difficult for any driver to stay around in the sport.”
Cobb had some advice for young drivers who want to compete in NASCAR.
“You have to be so much more than just a great driver to race at this level,” Cobb said. “You also have to be good at marketing, the media and business. Probably 80 percent of the drivers at any level of NASCAR racing have found a way to bring funding to the table.”
They need sponsors, and if they don’t have them, they may not be able to race, she said. Sometimes it’s harder work off the track than on it, she added. Also, she said it’s important to build a fan base.
Cobb always has a large turnout of fans, friends and family when she races at the Kansas Speedway. Some have been fans since she started racing at Lakeside Speedway 25 years ago.
“That’s what makes it really special for me,” she said.
She also honors female military service members at her races, with more information at driven2honor.org.
Cobb will make a fan appearance from 6 to 7 p.m. tonight, Oct. 13, at the Platte Woods Pizza Shoppe, 7687 N.W. Prairie View, Kansas City, Mo.
