What started from a gift card, turned into a burning passion. Jackson Fooks now competes in the Young Lions division for Joe Ryan Racecars, only a few years after racing only go-karts. With already good experience for a young driver, Fooks looks to place top five in national points this season.

Hometown: Midlothian, Virginia

Number: 77

Division: Legend Car Young Lions

Team: Joe Ryan Racing / CMG Motorsports

Favorite Track: Highland Rim Speedway

1. How did you get your start in racing?

My grandparents bought me a gift card to K1 Speed, and the track worker said I was really good, so I should try the league night there. So then we went to league night, and I actually won it for my first time ever, so that's how I got started.

2. How did you get your number?

I really just picked out a random number. I know sevens were always like a lucky number, so I knew I should probably do both, two of them.

3. Who is your biggest inspiration?

Probably Kyle Busch because of his mentality.

4. What is your favorite racing memory?

Probably when I got my first win at Dominion Raceway, we were crossing the checkered flag and I actually spun sideways across [the finish line], it was crazy. 

5. How was the transition from go-karts to Legend Cars?

Because the transition was kind of hard because of the shifting and how much more powerful they are. But, it went good. 

6. How do you measure success while racing?

Probably, my consistency, like getting top fives every race, I say, is really good and helps me out for the national championship. Right now I'm in third, so I will say I'm doing pretty good right now.

7. What is your favorite track you have raced at? 

Highland Rim in a Legend Car. It was really fun because of the banking and you would like, rip the high side in turns one and two and then, and three and four you would go low, like you usually do, so that was always fun.

8. What are your racing goals for 2026 and beyond?

Probably to get top five in the national championship, and maybe win a summer shootout race, and then my [ultimate] goal is to try to make it to NASCAR.

9. What is one track you want to race on?

Daytona because it's so fast, and all of the banking is crazy.

10. What is the biggest lesson racing has taught you in life?

This one's hard. Probably to be like thankful that you're able to do it because it costs a lot of money and all, and my parents have to put in a lot of work to do this. So yeah.

11. What are some of your hobbies outside of racing?

I love  playing with my friends, fishing, riding like dirt bikes, four wheelers and side by side’s. Basically anything outdoors.