Shantel Kalika receives some final advice and words of encouragement from her dad, prior to Saturday's race in Saskatoon. at Wyant Group Raceway. (Shantel Kalika/Facebook)

By Nigel Maxwell

Racing

Famed Prince Albert mother returns to life in the fast lane

Jul 19, 2021 | 2:00 PM

Prince Albert’s Shantel Kalika has never been shy about taking her foot off the brake, except when it came time to looking after her first born child.

Saturday’s night race at Wyant Group Raceway in Saskatoon represented Kalika’s first race since August, and she finished third and second in the first two heats, before finishing third in the final.

“I guess I had something to prove to myself that I can still get behind the wheel and do it,” she told paNOW.

Coming off successful racing runs in 2018 and 2019, Kalika slowed down a bit in 2020, and celebrated the birth of her son in May. So for Kalika, that made last weekend’s race even more meaningful.

“I guess just proving to everybody that just because you become a mom, and your priorities change a little bit, you can still go and do stuff for you,” she said.

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Reflecting back on the weekend, Kalika acknowledged it would not have been possible without the support of her family and sponsors. While Kalika’s husband and parents were at the track looking after the Busch racing car, it was her grandparents who perhaps did all the heavy lifting at home, caring for the family’s next legendary racer.

“It definitely takes a village for sure to get it done,” Kalika joked, commenting on everyone’s contributions.

Shantel Kalika with her parents and husband. (Shantel Kalika/Facebook)

Moving forward Kalika plans to race a couple more times this year in Saskatoon, but has also set her sights on competing in the Nascar Pinty Cup series. Due to COVID related restrictions, events are only being held in Ontario and Quebec.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell