By: Austin Thomson
her passion for racing at the local go-kart track. When the passion for racing continued, her family fueled her racing spirit. At age fifteen, a freshman in high school, Kristin won her first Rookie of the Year title in Late Models. Kristin would later go on to balance a full racing career all while attending college, often taking online classes in between races. After being selected from over 200 applicants for the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Program in 2008, Kristin was finally able to live out her dream of being a NASCAR racer. Today, she balances being a mother, wife, sister, and race car driver. Meanwhile, Kristin’s younger sister, Kendall Bumbera, had her interest peaked in racing after consistently watching her sister Kristin dominate the track. Knowing how much dedication and practice her dream would take, she set off to make her first racing season one to remember. Kendall did just that, achieving the 2007 Rookie of the Year award in the Houston Motorsports Park Pro Stock Division. Kendall has continued to make her name in racing and beating the odds to achieve a second Rookie of the Year title in the NASCAR Late Models. Kristin and Kendall are strong women who do not let the overwhelming odds of a male dominated field get to them. Throughout their racing, they have stayed true to who they are. The sponsors that are with Kristin and Kendall are truly ones that represent them and what they believe in. It can be so easy to trade in passion for a paycheck, but the Bumbera sisters challenge by letting their racing and commitment do all the talking. Kristin and Kendall are watching behind them as younger brother Boyd expands the family’s racing line by
following in their footsteps. Both Kristin and Kendall are making waves in the racing community and act as amazing role models for any young person who has a dream. The sisters were kind enough to sit down with us at MOST and discuss their motivations, goals, and what it is like to balance racing with all the other aspects of their life. FMM: Was there an initial “spark” that peak your interest in racing and made you want to pursue it? Kristin: Being around racing all my life and spending my weekends at the racetrack led me to pursue it. Kendall: After watching my dad and sister (Kristin) travel and race since I was born, I finally decided to give it a shot at 14 years old. What is it like to be two women in a field that is mostly male dominated? What is your pet peeve in breaking barriers to get into this field? Kristin: It is a challenge and exciting. We constantly get underestimated so it’s fun and challenging to prove them wrong. We have to gain the competitors respect proving that we belong in this sport and we do that when we set track records, win races, and qualify well. Kendall: Since I was able to watch Kristin go before me and set such a confident example, it was easier for me to jump into the male-dominated sport. My family taught us to just act with class and like we belong there, because we do. FMM: You both are strong role models to young girls wanting to pursue racing, how does that make you feel? Who are your role models and why? Kristin: Being a role model is a great feeling. I feel like I need to constantly stand by my morals and >>>
www.MOST mag.com || FITNESS
M A G A Z I N E ||
61