PRINCE GEORGE – Family support carries Aiden Conn toward Las Vegas challenge
For Aiden Conn, driving to Las Vegas with his family means feeling nervous, supported, and focused on his racing goal.
At 16, he hopes to earn a spot in the main event at the Onlybulls Open Wheel Showdown.
He grew up in a family of race car drivers and is now Prince George’s youngest professional winged sprint car racer.
The family plans to head south at the end of October, and Aiden will race in Las Vegas from Nov. 5 to 7.
“I was a little nervous, but we’re just gonna go have fun,” Aiden said. “It’s a good learning experience.”
His dad, Jason Conn, is also his crew chief. Aiden says both his parents and the Prince George racing community have backed him and his sponsors throughout his racing career.
“My dad’s been by my side everywhere I went,” he said. “And same with my mom.”
Jason said that support includes letting Aiden drive his equipment. Now, father and son are getting ready for the trip south.
Jason said the team plans to stop in Sacramento for engine work before continuing to Las Vegas.
This work is part of getting ready for a race they both expect will be highly competitive.
Aiden said the team first talked about entering while travelling during the racing season. At first, they weren’t sure if he would be ready.
By the middle of the season, he said, they decided to sign up for the November event. Aiden started racing go-karts at eight. He later moved into legend cars before progressing to sprint cars.
Jason said this is Aiden’s first year driving a winged sprint car.
Aiden described the car as a powerful machine with just under 900 horsepower. He said it weighs about 1,500 pounds with him in it.
He also explained that the car uses a direct-drive setup and has no transmission.
According to Jason, the car’s large wings help press the tires against the track, giving them more grip at high speeds.
For now, Aiden’s main goal is to earn a spot in the race, not to predict a win.
“My goal is to make it into the A main, which is going to be a challenge in itself,” he said.
The A main is the main event, and both Aiden and Jason said 24 cars will compete.
Aiden said he hopes this experience gives him more time behind the wheel and helps him build his skills.
Jason also sees the trip as a good chance for his son to get better.
“Just do everything in your power to get faster and better,” Jason said. “We’re heading down here for a learning curve experience.”
Right now, the Conn family is focused on getting ready and making the drive south. Aiden hopes all their work will help him start in the main event.
