Focus, Focus, Focus.

With the recent introduction of Beaux Barfield as the new Race Director and President of Competition for the IZOD IndyCar Series, it has brought me back to focus on the eye of the prize. To secure a position within the racing community. I have public relations, community relations and event management skills, as well as a passion in racing. I know and believe it will happen. Just will take time.... and how did I get here?

My Uncle Eddie Kuzma built midgets in Oregon just after World War II. His talent and artistry in building chassis took him from Oregon to the salt flats to Indianapolis Motor Speedway. And in 2003 he was recognized posthumously for his work at IMS, with his induction into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame.

I would suspect because my Grandpa opened Art Kuzma Motors in Vancouver, WA in 1936, that fueled more passion for autos within the family. Whether we were creating space by moving cars around on the car lot so we could run the go kart or watching the Daytona 500 on TV... everything seemed to revolve around racing in some form. I also have memories of my Grandpa, Dad and uncles racing local Pacific Northwest tracks in a stock car. Small circle tracks, like the now defunct Portland Speedway, captured my heart... but my passion has always remained with road racing.

Somewhere along the way, and most likely because I was in my 20's, I got away from being involved with racing... until I got in a major accident in 1999. After the accident, as I reflected on things that were important to me, I asked myself - Why did I get away from racing?

Thanks to Uncle Eddie's connections, I called Mario Andretti's shop, who in turn gave me Wally Dallenbach's home number. I am sure that Wally was none-too-happy that a young woman called him as he was recovering from a weekend of NASCAR racing, but he was extremely gracious. As I explained to Wally how I wanted to be a starter and pace car driver, he listened patiently and replied back, "Kim - connect to your local SCCA. Here's the people to talk to: Duck & Cheryl Allen. They're great people and can point you in the right direction." And in March 2001, I showed up to Portland International Raceway with hardly enough layers to keep me warm.... but it was what I had been looking for and I've never looked back. Currently, I am on the start team with Oregon Region SCCA, assistant chief starter with Cascade Sports Car Club and assistant chief starter with Team Continental. I've worked tracks and street circuits from Vancouver, BC to Long Beach, CA to Las Vegas, NV to Elkhart Lake, WI for SCCA, Champ Car World Series, American Le Mans, and NASCAR, just to name a few.

So now for that elusive career in racing... I will get there. A good friend, Jim Swintal, introduced me to a song by Mark Knopfler - "Speedway to Nazareth." Take a listen to understand. It's in my genes and there is nothing that will stop me from reaching my goal. If Beaux can do it, so can I.