Nestled in the middle Tennessee hills of Coopertown, lives one the youngest racers ever to be racing on the open track, Simon Christian Yates.
Simon, now fourteen, was born on March the 3rd to the proud parents of Allan and RhondaYates. He has grown up in Coopertown, attended school, played football, and on many occasions has worked with his dad in their family business. Simon also has enjoyed many of life’s extras, but some of the most special moments he remembers were spent with his big sister Ashley, who went home to be with the Lord on April 25, 2003, as a result of a massive brain tumor. Racing for Simon has become a special way to help ease the pain of the loss of his sister, Ashley.
But Simon’s dream of racing with the big boys started when he was just a kid. It was career day at Coopertown Elementary School, and all he wanted to be was a race car driver. Even though he was only in kindergarten, he suited up, and wore his Dale Earnhardt #3 racing uniform, with dreams of one day becoming a major league NASCAR driver, possibly driving in the Nextel Cup Series.
Just a few years later in 2004, Simon’s dad, Allan, with hopes of helping his son’s dream come true, purchase a NASKART, and told Simon if he did well with this go kart style of racing, he would buy him a Pro Truck. Simon out performed his dad’s expectations, and in 2006 began his racing career at The Highland Rim Speedway in Ridgetop, racing the shiny black, top of the line pro truck, with the #33.
Simon chose to race the #33, for a deeper reason than most would expect. To Simon these numbers represent the age the Lord Jesus Christ willingly went to the Cross of Calvary, shed his blood for the sin of all mankind, gave his life, was buried, and arose from the grave, so all who believe by grace through faith might live forever with Him in a wonderful place called Heaven.
Simon began his personal relationship with Jesus on February 28, 2001. His favorite Bible verse is John 3:16 - “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Simon not only races for the Lord, but he is a member of the S.W.A.T. TEENSTM, a group of teens who are “Saved With A TestimonyTM,” desiring to do right, serve the community, be patriotic and live for God. He attends Calvary Baptist Church in Greenbrier, and is thankful for the support his youth group gives him as he races.
He greatly appreciates and loves his family, friends and fans, and strives to have a positive, Christ-like, image and impact on the racing industry as well as youth, not only in his own personal community, but across the country as his career progresses.
Realizing life is a race, Simon takes to open track, racing season 2007, strapped down in his Pro Truck racing seat, running each race “Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of his Faith.”
Simon personal invites you to attend a race. Be sure to hold on to your seat, for there is never a dull moment at The Rim!
Nestled in the middle Tennessee hills of Coopertown, lives one the youngest racers ever to be racing on the open track, Simon Christian Yates.
Simon began his personal relationship with Jesus on February 28, 2001. His favorite Bible verse is John 3:16 - “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”