It’s loud. It’s fast. It’s heart-stopping, adrenaline-pumping, thrill-seeking fun. It’s racing in Kansas — and it’s in our blood. Meet four of our most notable drivers, both retired and currently in the driver’s seat.
Jennifer Jo Cobb
Back to Top of ListNASCAR Driver & Team Owner, Kansas City
Becoming a race car driver was the dream for Jennifer Jo Cobb, starting at 8 years old. That dream never wavered, and no number of setbacks or years of hard work could deter her from reaching her goal. Now, she’s shattering NASCAR records and becoming an international inspiration.
Jennifer competes in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the NASCAR Whelen Euro and XFINITY Series. She is the highest finishing female driver in overall points for a season. She holds the most starts by a woman in NASCAR and has broken into the 200+ mph club with a land speed record. She’s even competed in the NASCAR Euro Series in Spain and the United Kingdom — but it all began in Kansas City in 1991.
Off the racetrack, Jennifer is passionately involved in her non-profit Driven2Honor, which she founded in 2011 to honor, inspire, and empower female military members.
Chase Junghans
Back to Top of ListDirt Late Model Driver & GM for Shop Quik Racing, Manhattan
For Chase Junghans, racing is family. He and his brother, Grant Junghans, grew up together on the racetracks, competing on a team their father started. They learned from each other, pushed each other, and raced for each other. Chase still does.
In 2010, Grant began a six-year battle with cancer that he ultimately lost. In 2016, Chase unveiled the Grant Junghans Memorial race to honor his memory. It’s been held annually ever since.
Chase began racing in 2009 in his hometown of Manhattan, Kansas. He continues to prove his place at the top of the podium in Dirt Late Model Racing, with 12 career wins and counting.
Megan Meyer
Back to Top of ListNHRA Drag Racer, Spring Hill
When Megan Meyer was 16, she won the Junior Dragster championship at Kansas City International Raceway. It was her first win, but not nearly her last. She won it the next year, too. And when she turned pro, Megan again earned back-to-back titles, becoming a two-time World Champion NHRA Drag Racer.
Megan believes racing is her legacy. Born in Spring Hill, Kansas, she and her sister grew up watching their father pursue a drag racing championship. At age 10, Megan was hooked, and she began racing in 2004. Training and competing alongside her father, she dominated — becoming the winningest pro-sportsman female driver in the NHRA.
After enjoying a brief retirement, Megan jumped back behind the wheel in 2022 to compete in exhibition events and Nitro Chaos races. That same year, she became the first female to win at Mo-Kan Dragway, adding to her record-breaking career.
Clint Bowyer
Back to Top of ListNASCAR Broadcaster & Former NASCAR Driver, Emporia
Before becoming a household name as a race car driver, Clint Bowyer dominated a different sport. He grew up racing dirt bikes in Emporia, Kansas, and took home more than 200 wins and motocross championship titles. Then came NASCAR.
For 16 cup series seasons, Clint held a steady pace on the leader boards. He started 546 races, notching 10 NASCAR Cup Series titles. He also claimed the 2008 NASCAR Xfinity Series championship, eight Xfinity wins, and three NASCAR Camping World Truck Series victories. He earned respect on and off the track, from his first race in 2005 until his last in 2020.
Today, Clint is an analyst for the NASCAR Cup Series. One day, he shared the broadcast booth with one of his favorite racers of all time: Jeff Gordon. Clint shared that in 2001, he watched NASCAR racer Jeff win a title at the Kansas Speedway. It has stuck with him ever since.