Photo Credit: Barndoors and Shutters by Kiley Jane
Car Chix proudly announces Kristen Shankle-Jones as Ms. March! Kristen Shankle-Jones is Ms. March in the Bootheel Tractor Parts sponsored month of the 2017 Car Chix Calendar. She proudly earned her spot after competing in the 2016 Women of Motorsports Contest. The Women of Motorsports Contest is held annually as a celebration of the women in the automotive and motorsports industries. The top 12 competitors of this contest receive exclusive invitations to join Car Chix and be feature in the upcoming Calendar (Read: Car Chix Women of Motorsports Contest Launches Full Throttle).
“By doing what you love, you inspire and awaken the hearts of others.” – Kristen Shankle-Jones
Kristen Shankle-Jones is no stranger to the Car Chix Community. She was featured as Ms. March in 2016. In addition, She has competed in several of the Car Chix Ladies Only Drag Races and won — including the 2015 Car Chix Ladies Only Drag Race in Sikeston, Missouri and the 2016 Car Chix Ladies Only Drag Race at Memphis International Raceway during the World Series of Drag Racing.
“I have always supported my dad, brother and husband in racing and finally decided to get in the car and drive July 2015,” Kristen explains about her love for motorsports, “Another reason is my mother used to do the powder puff races and that inspired me to give it a try!”
When Kristen is not racing her beautiful 1967 Firebird, she is working hard day in and day out at Bootheel Tractor Parts as a process/shipping/shop manager. She is from East Prairie, Missouri and competes regularly at Jeffers Motorsports park, located in Sikeston, Missouri. Her 1967 Firebird is powered by a 350 and supported by Jones Racing, Car Chix, JSH Truck Repair, Mr. G’s Gun Shop, Wild About Reagann, Barndoors and Shutters by Kiley Jane and Papa Bill Jones.
Photo Credit: Barndoors and Shutters by Kiley Jane
Kristen loves the rush and adrenaline of racing. She appreciates the beauty and excitement of the entire motorsports experience.
“I love the beauty of every car and the skill put into building them. Each car is so unique. What I love the most is the thrill and adrenaline rush when you drive down the track at 100 mph in the 1/8th,” Kristen says,”When I get out of the car my whole body is shaking and it is just a complete and total rush!”
Kristen’s goals in racing are constantly changing as she continues to grow and learn more in the sport. As her driving abilities continue to improve, her and her husband continue to make further upgrades to the car to keep up with their need for speed. Practice makes perfect and that is something that Kristen keeps up with her. Along with her growing driving ambitions, come a couple challenges her and there. One of them being who is going to race today seeing that Kristen and her husband both share the race car.
“God, family, work and drag race… in that order. Spending every minute with my babies and to make memories with them as a family that will last a lifetime,” Kristen explains about her other hobbies and passions,”I also extreme coupon and have a huge stock pile. Hey you gotta do what you can to afford to keep the car fresh!”
We know how it is! Priorities girl! Priorities!
When asked what advice Kristen would give to other women in motorsports or to women that are interested in getting involved, Kristen said, “Follow your heart and you can do whatever your mind is set to! Winning doesn’t matter in this sport, it is the fun and the thrill of knowing you can do it!”
It’s true. Follow your heart. The sky is the limit! We are grateful to have met Kristen Shankle-Jones and her family. We look forward to seeing what the 2017 brings them.
“I appreciate the Car Chix community for meeting some awesome new friends and for inspiring me to do bigger and better things.” – Kristen Shankle-Jones
