The famed AGI sponsored Busch racing car will be easy to spot this weekend at Edmonton's International Raceway.  (Submitted/Shantel Kalika)

By Nigel Maxwell

Living life in the fast lane

Prince Albert racer makes return to Pinty series

Jul 22, 2022 | 11:00 AM

Prince Albert’s Shantel Kalika makes her return this weekend to the NASCAR Pinty’s series and for the first time in nearly three years, she will get to do it in her own car.

There’s a race Saturday at Edmonton’s International Raceway, followed by one on July 27 at Sutherland Automotive Speedway in Saskatoon. Kalika told paNOW she was really excited to get back in her own car.

“The work that we have put in, in the off season, has been a lot so I’m hoping that shows on the track when we are ready to go,” she said.

By work, Kalika noted adjustments have been made to the car, revamping it and getting it more modernized. She explained drivers in Ontario are the best of the best and have the new everything, therefore giving themselves the competitive edge. In comparison, Kalika’s car would be perceived as more dated.

“We’ve done a lot of work in order to get it up to speed and make us competitive,” she said.

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Noting too that other drivers have more money and also have more than one car, Kalika said there’s a need to race with a little bit of reserve because you need to take it to the events you are scheduled to be at.

“And every one of us is a competitor so when I say you are gonna race with reserve, you still have that competitive edge, you are still gonna go and give it 110 each lap,” she said.

Kalika has her sights set on a top 15 finish. (Submitted/Shantel Kalika)

When asked about a goal this weekend and next, Kalika acknowledged the need to be realistic, and recognize the people she is competing against are considered the best at what they do.

“I would say we want to be able to run all the laps. I would say we want to be able to finish the race. We want to qualify good,” she said.

Kalika is the only female driver in the events. When asked how she is received by other drivers, Kalika explained for the most part she is widely accepted as she been on the series since 2018.

“I think it depends too on how you hold yourself as well. I don’t let it creep in and worry me and so for me it’s just you strap on your helmet and you go race,” she said.

Kalika has a number of sponsors backing her including AGI, Great Western Brewing, Lake Country Co-op, LB Signs, Super 8, McMath Controls & Automation Inc., and GL Mobile Communications. She also wished to acknowledge the work of her dad, Ben Busch.

“Becoming a mom and having a demanding job forced my time to be a bit split with everything. He busts his butt in the shop to make our program work and without him none of this would be possible,” she said.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell