Racing cars since 2005, junior Alex Owen turned a hobby into his passion. After spending an afternoon at Sadlers Indoor Racing in Olathe, Owen was hooked.

“[It’s] what I think I was born for, to be behind a race car and racing,” Owen said.

Owen spends about 30-40 hours per week during the March-October racing season.

“I put pretty much everything I can into racing,” Owen said. “I come home everyday from school and I do my homework and then come out to the garage to work on my car, get it ready for the weekend.”

Owen first began racing in a go-kart, but last year he decided to transition to a sprint car, which has a large motor and races on dirt tracks.

“I like racing because you can get away from things and just be by myself and do what I love to do and just enjoy the rush I get from the race,” Owen said.

Owen began driving his sprint car in 2010 and won his first race in October of 2011.

“When I first started, I had the jitters, but now I just kinda get butterflies,” Owen said. “It comes to me easily now that I have more experience.”

After high school and college, Owen hopes to continue racing cars.

“I want to make a career out of it. But my dad is putting all the money away for college, so I might wait until after college and see what happens,” Owen said.

Owen realizes the risks of racing, but that just adds to his excitement.

“You’re just going fast and you’re pushing the car to the limits and you’re pushing yourself to your limits. And any second you could crash and be seriously hurt,” Owen said. ” I just like being on that edge.”