WESTFIELD, IN - Hot off of the Indy500 race weekend, this week's WKA #RaceLife Spotlight features Sam Hinds who hopes to one day win the Indy500. However, Sam's short term goal is to win a WKA championship! The #71 Manufacturer's Cup racer not only races, but also runs cross country track where he qualified for the Junior Olympics, plays baseball and basketball (as #71). Originally, Sam was to race Jr dragsters but because of the age restrictions, immediately jumped into a sprint kart seat. Read more about Sam Hinds, below.

WHERE DO YOU LIVE?

"I live in Westfield, Indiana. Westfield is located about 30 minutes north of Indianapolis."

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN RACING?

"I have been racing for 7 seasons. I started racing kid karts at 5 years old at Newcastle Motorsports park."

HOW DID YOU GET INTO RACING?

"Originally, we were going to race Jr dragsters, but couldn’t until I turned 8. At the time, my uncle did timing and scoring for the KRA series at NCMP and suggested we come watch a race. Realizing I could start racing at 5, we bought a kart that evening."

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF RACING?

"My favorite part of racing is traveling to different tracks. I also enjoy the competition level and satisfaction of doing well."

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE FUTURE?

"My short term goal is winning a WKA championship. My long term goal is racing in Indy car and winning the indy 500."

DO YOU HAVE ANY PRE-RACE RITUALS?

"I say a little prayer to God to keep me safe and give me the strength to stay positive."

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE RACER?

"Josef Newgarden. I got to hang with him for a little after he and Mark DismoreSr. won Robopong."

WHICH TRACK IS YOUR FAVORITE?

"I have two favorites; NewCastle Motorsports Park and Jacksonville."

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT WKA RACES?

"I get to test my abilities against some of the toughest competition in karting. Also everyone at WKA is so nice and I get to hang out with friends."

WHAT ELSE DO YOU DO BESIDES RACE?

"I love sports, I run cross country, track, play baseball and basketball. It can be tough juggling sports with racing but we do the best we can. I also enjoy riding my bike and playing outdoors and of course video games."

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?

"I want to race indy when I grow up, If I don’t get to race I want to work in the racing industry, I want to design and build racing cars, or go into engineering."

IS THERE ANY OTHER INTERESTING THINGS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH US?

"Last Fall I qualified and competed in the National Junior Olympics for Cross Country in Birmingham, Alabama. I ran against 410 of the best runners."

#RaceLife Spotlight: Sam Hinds