Wildwood Family Races Through Summer

While many families spent their summer at the pool, taking family vacations and playing video games, the Donahue family "raced" throughout the United States to more than 20 states in their 88-foot hauler and trailer. But this isn't your average recreational vehicle; this hauler has all the amenities of home, including a kitchen, bedroom shower and leather seating, and its destined for race tracks.

Jim and Sarah Donahue of Wildwood, and their three children—all accomplished race car drivers—travel 20,000-plus miles nearly every weekend from February through November to speedways throughout the United States. Both Jim and Sarah are supportive, and offer encouragement to each of their children to reach their goals.

Their family share many stories of good memories traveling together and making new friends through their adventures in racing. Jim and Sarah said their children have learned to be responsible through racing.

Kevin Donahue, 16 years old, has experienced racing Karts, Bandoleros, Legends cars, IMCA Southern Sport Modifieds, and ASA Trucks. In 2007, he was the Indiana Speedrome Bandolero champion and INEX “Young Guns” points winner in Missouri. 

In 2011, Kevin started with several races in Texas in their winter series and a trip to Florida for the winter nationals, including IMCA Southern Sport Modifieds on dirt and ASA Trucks where he achieved a fifth place finish in the Summer Shootout during round 10.

Kevin now is focusing on moving into an ARCA car, and finding a sponsorship to make this all possible. He is working with Gene Roberts, which was the crew chief of NASCAR champion and Hall of Fame inductee Bill Elliot. Kevin recently was invited to try-out with a team in Georgia.

Being a hard worker, Kevin spends many hours at his race shop building and maintaining his racing machines. He is a Renaissance student at and his parents said he is supportive of his siblings.

Kevin's ultimate goal is racing in NASCAR. “Every weekend I race hard and try to make smart decisions. I push myself to higher levels to reach my goals,” he said.

For the last five years, 15-year-old Angie Donahue has been busy racing Bandoleros, Karts and Legends cars. Angie said she looks forward to a career in racing and already has proved that she has what it takes to make it in this competitive and predominantly male sport. With three top five finishes in three different championship venues, she is on her way to making her racing dreams come true.

In 2010, Angie gave up her car and a sixth place spot to allow her older brother Kevin to compete and secure third place for the season in the FAST Midwest series. Kevin's car had been totaled the weekend before.

Angie is presently putting together an application to submit to Drive for Diversity, a team for girls and minorities, in hopes to qualify on their race team. If accepted in the program, they will cover her racing expenses and training for one year.

Kyle Donahue, the youngest sibling in the Donahue family, and one of the youngest drivers to compete on the Super Speedway tracks has been racing for half his life. He already accomplished a lot, with the highlight being winning the FAST Midwest Bandolero Bandits championship and Central States Challenge championship for TaG 60.

Ten-year-old Kyle began racing Karts, than Bandoleros. After focusing on Bandos for a year, Kyle had a very busy season of racing both the Karts and the cars. In 2009, Kyle won almost every kart race he competed in, and won the 2009 Tag 60 Central States Challenge Championship. In October, Kyle will race at the New Castle speedway in Indiana and has thoughts of racing in the Family Affordable Speedway Tour (FAST) Midwest series and checking out the Tag World Finals.

Click here to visit the Donahues' Motorsports website.