One-On-One With ARCA Series Driver, Sarah Cornett Ching

Beyond The Flag had the honor of recently speaking with ARCA Series driver Sarah Cornett Ching.

There is no one quite like Sarah Cornett Ching. Not only did the Canadian Native work as a wielder to save up money so she could test at Daytona last year, she also found a ride with Race 101  and even came very close to setting a record in the ARCA Racing Series just last season!

Beyond The Flag sat down with the multi talented  driver to discuss  impressing  everyone in the garage  during the tests at Daytona, getting a full time ride with Race 101,  and how she came close to becoming the highest finishing female driver in The ARCA Remax Series.

Brian Thornsburg.: You saved up the money yourself to go test at Daytona in The ARCA Remax series and eventually landed a ride with Race 101 after impressing them during the Daytona tests. What was that process like for you and do you believe it has made you stronger as a driver.

Sarah Cornett Ching: It was a lengthy process to come up with the funding and to skimp and sacrifice to make it happen, there were doubts from many people on whether or not it would pay off or if it would be a waste and amount to nothing. For some reason I had a gut feeling that things would work out and I just pushed forward doing everything I could to make it all work. It’s definitely made me more humble and more appreciative of the opportunity I have today.

BTF: What do you believe impressed Race 101 the most about your performance during the Daytona tests and how do you think you stacked up against other drivers that were looking for a ride during that test session as well?

SCC: I was fast on the race track but I also impressed in the garage area with my willingness to do whatever it took and I was working the media and marketing myself and Race 101 better and more than anyone else.

BTF: What was the biggest difference between you in 2011 and you in 2015. Do you think you have grown as a driver and person since then? 

Maturity and understanding the real life Motorsports industry and what counts and what doesn’t count in working on my career.

BTF: What do you believe were some of the contributing factors that made your racing career not work out so well in 2011 compared to how it worked out in 2015.

Sarah Cornett Ching: I didn’t have money to offer in 2011 I was still looking for a direction and an avenue to get the initial opportunity, you have to be able to prove yourself before anyone will give you a shot, once I had the opportunity I never stopped working, there was no way I would let myself lose an opportunity I had worked so hard for. In the shop, on the pull down, in the shock room, Facebook, Twitter, interviews, getting in better shape, everything I could do to advance my career I did.

BTF: Do you believe racing with Tony Blanchard has made all the difference in your career? if so, how?

Sarah Cornett Ching: Tony has dedicated more time to my career than any other two people together

#1 He believed in me and #2 He wants to succeed as much I do. So 100% yes Tony has made all the difference in my career.

BTF: You earned a full time ride with Tony Blanchard and Race101 only two weeks after the ARCA Remax event at Daytona. What was that process like for you going from saving up to go testing, to impressing Blanchard during testing, to eventually finding sponsorship and getting the opportunity to race for the full season.

Sarah Cornett Ching: It was nerve wracking, there was so many unknowns on both Tony’s part and my part, we had to adapt quickly and be patient with each other as we progressed. It was a whirlwind, so much going on so quickly we barely knew where we were half the time but somehow we got it all done and managed to have reasonable success.

BTF: You finished 31st in your very first outing at Daytona International Raceway in The ARCA Remax series. What is like to follow that up with a 11th place finish in 2016 ARCA Remax series race at Daytona? 

Sarah Cornett Ching: We had motor problems in our first Daytona race which took us out of contention, but this year we had a really strong car, one I knew we could win with. We rode around with the pack keeping within the top ten, but with 15 to go we once again had motor problems, a misfire made it so that the car couldn’t even stay in the draft and we limped around to an 11th place finish so despite having a great run it was bittersweet.

BTF: Your first season is ARCA has been described as both an up and down experience. What do you think you took away from that first season and how do you plan to utilize that for the future?

Sarah Cornett Ching: Just the laps and time on those new tracks gave me a lot more confidence and experience, I also learned how to deal with big disappointments and how to battle back and run in a full season for points.

BTF: What were some positive aspects of your first season in The ARCA Series.

Sarah Cornett Ching: There was always a positive, even when didn’t have the best luck I could always find a positive I am here in NC living my dream and racing in the top developmental racing series in North America.

BTF: You were a mere 35 points from tying the record for best season performance by a female driver in the ARCA Remax series last season. Do you believe this is the year that you match or break that record? Have you talked to Shuana Robinson about it?

spoke with Shawna she was very supportive and helpful, if we ran a full ARCA season I know we could beat that record and even make a run at a championship, our plans to run a rookie season in the NASCAR K&N East Series will make it hard to have the same success but with the competition level there I know it will only help me as a driver and make me better and better when we make the next step with NASCAR.

BTF: For those that may not understand, how important is seat time in The K&N series to a developing driver like yourself this year?

Sarah Cornett Ching: Driving with the level of competition in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East is what I need as a driver right now, we do well on the big tracks and seat time is invaluable but if you want to be the best you need to race with the best and I don’t want to be just another field filler so as we learn we want to be under the NASCAR banner and help them build their series as I build my career.

BTF: Do you believe this is the year your able to break through for a win in The ARCA Remax Series? If so, what track do you believe you have the best chance at.

Sarah Cornett Ching: I feel we have equipment that can win and I have the confidence and comfort level at these tracks and in these cars to win whether or not we can catch a break and have all the other stars line up with motors and the other drivers on the track I don’t know with the limited races we plan to run in ARCA but there is a distinct possibility to win a race this year.

BTF: You do a lot of charity work on top of racing. How did these charity partnerships come about and how do you believe it helps shape you as a person?

Sarah Cornett Ching: Most of them came about by fate, meeting people and have opportunity to help, we are proud to support the Tim Horton Children’s Foundation, Pit Stops for Hope, and Liam’s Lighthouse Foundation, with the opportunity I have been given I feel its really important to give back.

For more information on the charities that Sarah supports, please go to sscracing.com or visit the charity sites Tim Horton’s Children’s foundation by clicking here