Clements, who calls Central, South Carolina, her home, has been wrenching since she was a toddler thanks to her father, Alton

Sr. She began racing Junior Dragsters with NHRA in 2001 when she was just eight years old. After a successful stint in the heads up 330 Outlaw class and a win at Donald“ Duck” Long’ s race at South Georgia Motorsports Park in 2010, Clements moved into an’ 05 Mustang in 2011. Racing alongside her brother, Alton Jr., Clements focused on NMRA Edelbrock Renegade and dipped into the 9s in 2012 – her first year in the

class. Clements worked relentlessly to improve both her car’ s performance as well as her own and it wasn’ t long before she was in the 8s.

When she finished her first year in Renegade, NMRA honored Clements by naming her the 2012 Rookie of the Year. Having gone from a Junior Dragster to an 8-second car within a span of 12 months was a monumental task, but she handled it with her usual grace and enthusiasm.

PHOTOS: CHRIS SEARS