Meet Payton GEITZENAUER of Falcon, Colorado

Today we’d like to introduce you to Payton GEITZENAUER.

Hi Payton, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I attended an arrive and drive at a local track in Ellicott Colorado during 2021. I test drove a car and realized I loved racing. I wanted to start racing and was determined to work for my first race car, speaking with family and friends, I decided to start helping around our neighborhood to earn money. The things I did included, walking dogs,, baby-sitting, and yard work, etc. I ended up raising $2,200 for my first ever quarter midget race car. We attended my first race on fathers day weekend and I was scared out of my mind. I raced local races for 2 years and now I travel all around the country racing NASCAR youth nationals. While also squeezing in some local races.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, Its been hard learning some of the main aspects, especially since I started at a later age I felt like I had to catch up to the more experienced kids. I have practice a ton just to get that experience and seat time. We had a struggle with chassis’, we started out with Fiser race cars for a couple years and had some problems with getting it to drive the way we wanted and being comfortable. We then made a switch over to Stanley and Bullet chassis’ last year, with great support and success. This year one big struggle has been learning a new class I just entered into, this class requires throttle control into and out of the corners keeping it in control and letting it rotate, this has been a big learning curve. Wrecking and mechanical failures has lead us to not being able to finish races, and has been something we have been dealing with a lot this year, it’s hard to fight your way through the pack without getting tangled up with another driver, everyone is fighting for their spot at the top of the podium and we are passionate about getting there. Sometimes this ends our race day and or maybe our race weekend.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Hi I’m Payton Geitzenauer, I am part of a race team called Kepa Racing, we are a family of 4 who travel and race together. I am 14 years old, and I race quarter midgets with the NASCAR youth series. I am also a part of an all girls race team called Ashcraft Motorsports Racing, we consist of 4 female drivers who race, volunteer and help raise money for scholarships that assist women in an automotive or motorsports driven career. I have traveled to many places such as Kansas City, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Darlington, Charlotte, Portland, Austin and many more places. I am currently a sophomore in highschool and I balance all my grades with a B average plus a college class while missing school to travel and race these big 4 day long races. One main thing I am most proud of is how far I’ve came, I race against kids who have been doing this since they were five years old, I have not been racing as long and don’t have as much experience as they do, but I’m keeping up with them, battling against them and beating them.

What sets me apart from other’s would be how I am a female in a male dominant sport. I do not have as much experience as many other driver’s since I started at the age of 11. I did not have the years of experience they have, as a lot of them started a 5.

What makes you happy?
What makes me happy? There’s alot,My family and friends,Racing,traveling,and shoes. My family and friends probably make me the most happy because there all amazing and they all make me laugh unconditionally and they are my biggest fans. I love racing it’s like my therapy, like when I’m in my car on the track nothing else matters just me and my race car.Traveling is something that makes me happy because I love exploring new places and seeing things that you often don’t see at home. My favorite is when we drive in our motorhome because we stop and see all the new things as a family and just enjoy the time we have.I love shoes they complete any outfit and are the best conversation starter. When I see someone with shoes I like I complement them or ask them where they got them. Shopping for shoes is as much fun as matching them with your everyday outfits. Shoes just make your outfit perfect.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/payton_racing_midgets13?igsh=OXR0eTJuNWU2Nnpl
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keparacing
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@payton_racing_midgets13?_t=8pHQ6JHi9HD&_r=1