By Gene Ostrowski
With more than 100 karting victories, mixed with a track title and 11 more in 125cc micro sprints, second-generation driver Jessica Miller, of Sunbury, stands out above the rest.
Yet, she's only 13 years old.
The daughter of Ed Miller, the 1986 Selinsgrove Speedway street stock champion, Jessica began racing kid karts at Greenwood Valley Action Track, near Millville, when she was just 4 years old.
To say her accomplishments since the start of her racing career have been astounding would be an understatement.
In a short period of time the young lady visited victory lane more than 100 times in her go-kart. She won six track championships, one of which was at Selinsgrove Raceway Park in 2003. She also clinched the crown at Greenwood during the same season.
Aside from the local kart racing, Jessica has also competed in the Pennsylvania Dirt Kart Series and has two fast time awards to her credit.
In the summer of 2007 Jessica got a 125cc micro sprint and tested it while at the track one day.
"I don't want to run the kart anymore", she said to her father after getting out of her new race car. "We need to sell the kart."
Needless to say, Jessica was hooked on micro racing.
Although they didn't sell the kart until the end of the season, Jessica competed in her sprinter when time allowed.
Without missing a beat, she showcased her talent and visited victory lane quickly during her rookie campaign in the then newly formed division at Greenwood. While running a part-time micro schedule, she went on to win two more times that season.
The wins didn't stop there.
Jessica began this season with a runner-up finish. It was all uphill from there. Not only did she score eight victories this season, Jessica clinched the 125cc micro sprint championship at Greenwood.
Although her plan is to contend for a second straight title in the 125cc division next season, Jessica's talents have not gone unnoticed, as she was offered a full time ride in a 270cc micro at both Selinsgrove Raceway Park and also at Greenwood next season, where she hopes to garner even more wins.
Going fast, turning left and winning many races aren't the only qualifications on Jessica's early resume. She is also a junior black belt in ninjitsu, she's on the National Junior Honor Society, the honor roll, in the junior high school band, the jazz band, and she also plays basketball and soccer.
Aside from her father, Jessica credits her mother, Tracy, for all the support that she has given her as a racer. She also appreciates everything that her brother and crew chief, Eddy Jr., has done to help her career along.
Of course Jessica's dream is to one day tour around the half-mile clay oval at Selinsgrove Speedway in a fullsize sprint car. Based on the amount of desire and talent in this 13-year-old, it shouldn't be long before Miller is a household name in sprint car competition at Selinsgrove.
Jessica hasn't ruled out running a full-fendered car like her father did in the 1980s, possibly on an asphalt track. "Besides dirt, I've also raced on asphalt in the past, and actually, it made a better driver out of me," said Ed Miller.
n Gene Ostrowski is a motorsports correspondent.
