Kaiden Johnson 91: A 10 Year old, going 60MPH

In the heart of Lemoore, California, amidst the sun-kissed landscapes people from all over the globe come to surf some of the best waves in the world.  The likes of Olympic Gold Medalist Shaun White, ‘Vampire Diaries’ actress Nina Dobrev, and even the “Birdman” himself Tony Hawk have come here to surf one of the world’s longest waves.  Lemoore is also 100 miles inland, surrounded by farmland, and has no ocean in sight.  These waves are artificially created by the Kelly Slater Surf Ranch.  A marvel of engineering, and an ocean-like oasis in the middle of rural California.  Agricultural areas like Lemoore around the United States are home to a different kind of extreme sport, a stark difference from the holistic sport of surfing: Motor Racing.  Less than 2 miles away lies the Lemoore Raceway, a 1/5th mile clay oval track that hosts some of the most exciting racing events in the region.  April 19th – 20th, 2024 the venue hosted the “Lemoore Jet Bowl”, and among the talented drivers who recently graced this track was a new upcoming young celebrity, someone not yet on the radar of the aforementioned Tony Hawk, Shaun White, or Kelly Slater; but sure to be known my many more than these pioneers.  We are talking about no one other than Kaiden Johnson, a remarkable 10-year-old with a passion for speed and a promising future in the world of motorsports.

Kaiden Johnson, at just 10 years old, is already making a name for himself in the racing community. Hailing from Lakeside, California, Kaiden recently commenced his maiden season racing the 600CC Restricted Micro Sprint, graduating from the lawn mower engine powered JR. Sprints and Mini Dwarfs at the Barona Speedway in San Diego, where he became Track Champion in 2023. Despite his young age and relatively limited experience compared to some of his competitors, Kaiden’s determination and skill have already begun to shine through.

During the recent race at the Lemoore Jet Bowl, Kaiden faced stiff competition from seasoned drivers in the Restricted class. The hot laps session saw him clocking in with a time of 11.875 seconds, placing him just outside the top 10. However, it’s worth noting that this is Kaiden’s first season in this category, and every lap serves as valuable experience for his future endeavors.

In the qualifying rounds, Kaiden continued to impress with his performance, posting competitive times despite the challenges of the track. With a fastest lap time of 11.875 seconds, he demonstrated his ability to hold his own against more experienced racers, showcasing his potential as a future star in the making.

As the racing action heated up, Kaiden took to the track for the heat races, where he faced off against a talented field of drivers. Despite the intense competition, Kaiden remained focused and determined, gaining valuable racecraft experience with each passing lap. Though he may not have secured a podium finish in these heats, his grit and determination did not go unnoticed by spectators and fellow competitors alike.  Kaiden secured a 6th place finish, out of the 10 competitors during the first heat race.

As for the main event, Johnson started at position 11 and finished 11th, exhibiting the valuable ability to hold position in a race, and finish with strength.

One of the most notable aspects of Kaiden’s journey is the contrast in lap times between him and the top competitors. In qualifying, Kaiden’s fastest lap finishing at 11th place was .516 seconds off from the first place holder Brycen Roush who clocked the fastest lap 11.359, Kaiden’s being 11.875. However, with each race, Kaiden gains valuable experience and hones his skills, inching closer to the front of the pack with each passing lap and each event.

As Kaiden Johnson continues to hone his craft and make strides in the world of racing, the future looks bright for this young talent. With unwavering determination, a passion for speed, and the support of his sponsors, Kaiden is well on his way to making a name for himself in the world of motorsports. As he continues to gain experience and refine his skills, there’s no doubt that we’ll be seeing more of Kaiden Johnson on the podium in the years to come.

Day II

Day II of the Lemoore Jet Bowl witnessed an electrifying display of talent, with Kaiden Johnson 91 hailing from Lakeside, California, emerging as a standout performer in the 600CC Restricted Micro Sprint category. Despite his young age of 10, Johnson showcased exceptional skill and determination on the track, capturing the attention of spectators with his remarkable performance.

The day commenced with the Hot Laps 1 session, where Johnson showcased his abilities by setting impressive lap times, despite starting from the 13th position. His proficiency in maneuvering through the circuit with precision and control was evident as he consistently pushed the boundaries of his machine. Johnson’s fastest lap time during this session was 12.029 seconds.  As a reminder hot laps are meant to simply get the car going, get a feel for the track, it is ultimately considered a warm up.

Transitioning to Qualifying 1, Johnson continued to impress, setting competitive lap times that highlighted his raw talent and unwavering focus. Despite facing stiff competition from seasoned rivals, he held his ground admirably. Johnson’s qualifying fastest lap time of 11.844 seconds secured him the eighth position on the grid.

In the Heat 2 race, Johnson began to demonstrate his ability to hold position at the front of the pack, starting in pole position and finishing 2nd. With flawless execution and unwavering determination, he delivered a masterful performance, setting blistering lap times that left his competitors trailing behind. Johnson’s exceptional consistency allowed him to finish the race in second position. As night fell on the town of Lemoore, and temperatures began to drop, the A Feature 1 race was on. Johnson faced a challenging task starting from the 11th position on the grid. Undeterred, he showcased his resilience and skill, steadily making his way through the field with each passing lap. Despite starting from a disadvantaged position, Johnson’s lap times consistently improved throughout the race, reflecting his unwavering pursuit of victory. Ultimately, he crossed the finish line in the 11th position, just 4.782 seconds behind the race winner, and demonstrating his ability to truly hold position, an improvement over the previous Heat 2 rounds.

Throughout the day, Johnson’s dominance on the track was undeniable. His exceptional talent, unwavering determination, and remarkable composure under pressure set him apart as a rising star in the world of motorsport. Despite narrowly missing out on podium finishes, Johnson’s performance earned him the admiration and respect of fans and competitors alike.

As the sun set on Day II of the Lemoore Jet Bowl, it became clear that Kaiden Johnson 91 is a force to be reckoned with. With his relentless drive for success and unwavering commitment to excellence, he is poised to become a formidable competitor in the world of racing for years to come.

Do you want to be a part of young Kaiden’s Journey in racing?

You can stay up to date with the young racer through his YouTube channel, Kaiden Johnson 91,  as well as the same name on Instagram.  

Special thanks to sponsors:
WeldTec Designs • Growing Up Garage • Steel-It • BNB Race Chassis • NecksGen• ECP Powder Coating • Grom USA • Fineline Grafix