Cox looking for new racing challenges

(Aaron Skillman photo)

By Ken de la Bastide

In only his second race on pavement, Jalen Cox was in position for a podium finish at the Indianapolis Speedrome. Cox was battling for the third spot with Jack Macenko, only surrendering the position on the final corner of the final lap.

His first start on pavement was in 2022 resulting in a tenth place showing Anderson Speedway. Cox, 28, started racing 12 years ago in go karts and 600 micro sprints before deciding to try his hand with the Kenyon Midget Series.

“There were a couple of reasons,” Cox said of the switch. “The cost and more of a even playing field, which was a big attraction. The fact that Brad (Hayes) took it over,' he said. “The Kenyon Series is starting to attract a lot of attention.”

Cox said he also liked the opportunity to race at both asphalt and dirt tracks and the proximity of the Kenyon Series venues to Indiana. “Anderson is an animal of its own kind,” he said of his first Kenyon Series start last September. “It's really fast.”

Cox said his plan is to run seven or eight of the 12 races on the schedule probably not making the trip to Berlin and Lorain.

During the week he works for a landscaping company and has been dating his girlfriend for seven years.

Cox said he grew up around dirt tracks and at one time worked for Brady Bacon's team.

“Dirt is my love,” he said. “I like sliding around.”

Cox is looking forward to the first dirt race of the season at Paragon Speedway a track he has never run before.