If you haven't heard of Shelby Township's Taylor Ferns, you will soon.

The 15-year old Lutheran High School North sophomore is not only burning up the MOPAR D1 Midget Car Series circuit, she's also making history in doing so.

With her D1 feature victory on June 22 at Indianapolis' paved Speedrome, Ferns became the winningest female feature driver in United States Auto Club (USAC) history. Her accomplishment came 25 years after Bev Griffis became the first USAC female feature winner at the Speedrome. 

"This is not the first time I've made racing history, but I've been gunning for this achievement since I was 12 years old," Ferns said. "I was actually surprised after the race to learn that I did it. I'm glad in a way to get that monkey off my back. But, of course, I'm really happy about it."

Not only is Ferns the winningest female, she's also currently the only female driver on the midget track. 

A fact she doesn't think is any big deal.

"To me, it doesn't make any difference that I race against all boys and it doesn't motivate me any more than usual," Ferns said. "I'm just a racer and want to be treated like anyone else."

Ferns just took the lead in the MOPAR D1 Midget Car Series in driver points on July 10. She placed seventh at Angell Park Speedway in Wisconsin to lead the pack with 321 points. Illinois' Jake Blackhurst is next with 296 points.

"My goals for this season are to win more midget races and to win the midget championship," Ferns said. "Yes, it would definitely be nice win it."

Ferns comes from a racing family and got her first car from her dad at age 6. She now owns four cars, including sprint and stock cars, and there's no place she'd rather be than on the track.

"I feel at home in my cars," Ferns said. "It's what I love to do and I can't live without it. My ultimate goal is to race NASCAR and I'm working toward it.

"Most of my friends think I'm crazy," she added with a laugh.

The racing season runs from mid-April to mid-October and most of the tracks are in Indiana and Wisconsin. That means most weekends are spent on the road. When home, Ferns likes to chill out at Partridge Creek with friends, catch movies and lounge in her pool.

For additional information on Taylor Ferns and to follow her racing career, visit www.taylorferns.com.