Kenyon title opening doors for Houk
By Ken de la Bastide
Ayrton Houk clearly has his mind set on one ultimate goal and that is to compete with the IndyCar Series. Houk, 18, a senior at Cathedral High School, has a full slate of racing on his plate for 2022. After finishing second in the rookie of the year standings in 2020 in the Kenyon Midget Series to San Hinds, Houk won three times in 2021 on his way to the championship. In fact at the last race of the year at Anderson Speedway all Houk had to do was start the feature to claim the champion's crown.
Following that success Houk won the Lucas Oil Shootout title that included a $75,000 scholarship and the opportunity to run 12 races at some of the nation's most challenging road courses. Houk has also secured a 2022 ride with the F1600 Series and plans to run 6 or 7 Kenyon Midget races.
“It was an honor to be selected to compete in the Lucas Oil Series,” he said. “The first day I wrecked twice and thought there went my chances.” But on the second day Houk won the scholarship. “That's the first step to the “Road to Indy,” he said. “The goal is to make the Indianapolis 500.”
Houk said after finishing second in the Kenyon Series rookie standings in 2020 the team received help from eventual series owner Brad Hayes. “Winning the championship meant a lot,” he said. “I was glad to have a real championship to my name.”
Houk said competing in the Kenyon Midget Series gives him experience that he can take to the next level of racing. “The oval experience will transfer over because in the Kenyon Series it was all about car control,” he said. “It also helped in learning when to be aggressive and a lot about handling.”
Houk said the plan is to run at least two of the dirt races with the Kenyon Midget Series in 2022.
“Coming back as the defending champion there is a little more stress to try and perform well,” he said. “I'm coming back as the champion so I do have a lot of confidence going into the races.”
Houk said he is excited to see the changes that Hayes is bringing to the Kenyon Midget Series in 2022 and in future years.
After high school Houk is considering going to college to study engineering at either Purdue, Butler or IUPUI universities. He will miss his high school graduate ceremonies because of a commitment to be racing in May with the F1600 Series at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama.