It came down to the final laps, but Amanda Balson was able to secure the Hot Rod Championship in style with a victory at Sunset Speedway last season.

She now readies herself for a new challenge in 2025, ready to run a modified full-time at Sunset. The veteran shared her thoughts with Short Track Musings at the Motorama Custom Car and Motorsports Expo.

What are your thoughts as you look back on last season?

Still, still really reeling in the excitement from last year. I felt like from the start to the end, it was probably one of the best performances that I’ve put on in my career. Very proud of everything we accomplished, proud of my guys. Really proud of everyone on my team. It was a perfect year – couldn’t had been better.

As you look back on the season, what was your favourite moment?

The last three laps of the last race of the year. That was – who I was racing against, what we were racing for, the size of the field, the way everything shook down, it was just three of the most exciting race laps that I have ever raced.

Now obviously, the new year ahead brings a new challenge as you move to the modified division.

I’m definitely excited for that. I’m not sure how long it will take to get comfortable in the modified – hopefully not too long. There’s always that little sweet spot that when you get to know a car and start to race it because you develop a relationship with the car. The first few races with the car, you’re just learning, trying to get comfortable.

I’m certainly comfortable at Sunset (Speedway) on the track, so hopefully it doesn’t take too long to get that nice feeling with it. But definitely excited for the new challenge – and it will be a challenge for sure.

Why do you feel right now is the right time to make the jump to modifieds?

I definitely loved the Hot Rod division, but I just felt like I spent a decent amount of time there – three and a half seasons or so. I felt like I accomplished what I wanted to accomplish, and felt I was completed with the class so I felt it was time to move into something that is kind of on my bucket list. And Modified racing – I would be lying if I said Kelly didn’t have to do a little convincing for me to want to move into the modifieds, but it was certainly one of the boxes I wanted to check. It was one of those things that I wasn’t sure if it would happen or not.

Also, who knows what it may lead to. It could be a gateway to a super late (model) down the road. But right now, I think modifieds are going to make a resurgence in the province and there’s some potential for some growth in modifieds. It’s already happening with Delaware (Speedway) making a mini series, OSCAAR still around, and Sunset looking to grow the field to anyone from 12 to 15 cars which is excellent as that’s where the Hot Rods started a few years ago and look at them now.

I wanted to be apart of something new, and modifieds just seemed like the right fit right now. The right car came for sale. The series is strengthening at Sunset – just the right move right now. Kelly has a Pro Late Model, but for us, at Sunset, we don’t feel like we have a strong enough budget to run Pro late Model right now. So the modified is about the most we can do at the moment.

You’ve been very successful over the years with mulitple wins and championships. What does it mean to be an inspiration for all the girls out there watching you have the success?

I would say years ago, when this kind of stuff started to come to fruition and be more noticeable, it was maybe a little uncomfortable at times. I’m worried at times that I am not perfect and it’s hard to remember at times that people are watching you. But as years have gone on, I’ve gotten older and a little more humbled about it, and definitely flattered by it and certainly try a lot harder to be a good role model on the track, and off the track. Again, I’m not perfect but it’s definitely a nice feeling to hear from young girls and woman alike and again, yes, very flattering for the fact that I may have inspired a girl or two to hit the track. It’s a very nice feeling.

What would be a piece of advice that you would offer?

I definitely always say that racing is very expensive, so definitely if you want to race in the future or as an adult as you get older is get yourself a good job because you’re going to need money. I would say racing is a wonderful sport, there’s a lot of things to be learned from racing. I think if you want to race and try it out, absolutely do it. Do it for yourself and because you absolutely love it because you’re having a good time.

I would also say woman are certainly welcomed in the sport – there’s no question about that. But is the road perfect as we want it to be? No, it can be hard at times. But certainly these days there’s so much support from so many woman; there’s strength in numbers almost. It’s certainly not as scary as a place as it used to be.