Driver Profile

Taylor McKeever was born along with his twin sister Brooke Ann on May 5,1995 in
Clearwater, Florida. At about the age of two I realized he was born with a motor. He
drove everything from crayons to cereal spoons. I should have known then he was going
to be a race car driver. He was about five years old when he asked me to take him to the
Daytona 500. His favorite driver to this day is still #3 Dale Earnhardt. He keeps a #3 on
the right fender of his four wheeler as a tribute to his hero.

Taylor got his first kart when he was 7 years old. It was a Coyote Kart with a Yamaha
motor. He drove it around the school car circle every weekend for two months. Our
neighbor Gary Long who is a professional car driver came to watch one Sunday. He
thought Taylor had some real talent and suggested we take him to the race track.
The very next Saturday we went to the race track for our first time. We all stood in
amazement as he set lap after lap faster than the one before. By the end of the day he was
setting laps as fast as anyone in his class. Gary suggested that we enter Taylor in the next
local race to see how his skills would match up with other drivers.

The next Sunday morning we drove to Ocala Gran Prix to enter Taylor in his first race.
Because he was a rookie driver the track director suggested that he start in the back of the
pack. In twelve laps Taylor went from last to first and won the first race he entered.
Since that first race in Ocala Taylor has won over one hundred thirty races, won seven
championships, and placed in the top five in many others.

Taylor qualified second in the 2008 Rotax Nationals in Denver Colorado. He was hit
from behind in a first corner crash in the pre final. But, in the feature event he was able to
work his way back up to the front and finish fifth over all.

After the 2008 Nationals Taylor decided to make the jump from go-karts to stock car
racing. I was very leery at first, he was just twelve years old, but he convinced me that it
was the right thing to do. He then tested several times in a Legends Car at Desoto
Speedway with Richardson Racing and everything went flawlessly. Our next goal was to
get him a waiver so he could get his license to drive a stock car because he was not old
enough.

Taylor was told he would have to go to Orlando Speed World and drive for a 600 Racing
Official named Russ Thomson. He would have to impress Mr. Thomson if he was going
to have any chance at getting a waiver. That was the only time I really saw Taylor
nervous in a race car. He knew he probably only had one shot with this man. I will never
forget Mr. Thomson’s words as Taylor was getting suited up to get into the car. Son, just
because your good in a go-kart that doesn’t mean you’ll be any good in a stock car.

Taylor tested two sessions for Mr. Thomson that morning. After the second session Mr.
Thomson walked over to the car as Taylor was getting out and said I’ve seen enough,
next race is Saturday Night your ready!

Saturday night rolled around and Taylor qualified fifth and finished third in his first
Legends Car Race.

So far Taylor has been in 4 stock car races and has a third place finish, a second place
finish and 2 first place finishes.

The transition from go-karts to stock cars went very smoothly and it also went very fast.
Taylor will not compete this year in the 2008 Rotax Nationals due to scheduling conflicts.
He will however finish out the 2008 season in stock cars, and drive his first full season in
stock cars in 2009.