In just a few short years, this young man has wrenched and raced himself to an impressive track record.
A driver's license became AJ's ticket to motorsports. But fitting an intercooled turbocharger to a stock Civic coupe wasn't enough. Nor were his quick trips down the local quarter mile drag strip. Thi
s was all motor. Where was the sport?
After a few more brake and suspension modifications, AJ found the sport, racing against the clock for ever faster elapsed times with the Philadelphia, Southern New Jersey, Susquehanna and Washington DC regions of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA).
For a high school student, this course of study came with a steep learning curve. Every SCCA autocross event offered a ne
w track layout and new challenges. Analysis of the course and knowledge of the car's potential (acceleration, braking, cornering, and low end torque) epitomize the art and science of racing. A successful driver quickly learns where to give up speed, conserve it and where to get it on.
And get it on, he did. In 2002, his first season, AJ Nealey raced 40 events with 7 wins, placing him 3rd and 4th in points with the Susquehanna" and Washington DC" SCCA regions respectively.
In his spare time, while a Mechanical Engineering major at the University of Delaware, AJ helped build and race his school's Formula Society of Automotive Engineers (FSAE) entry at the International Competition in Detroit, Michigan.
As a result he
raced in fewer autocross events but still raced to four wins. While maintaining his position on the Dean's List in 2003, he manag
ed to campaign an Acura Integra GSR in D-Street Prepared class in national SCCA Tours and ProSolo events and continued his education with valuable seat time in a Subaru WRX STi and 2.5RS, Honda CRX, Volkswagen Scirroco and a supercharged Mini Cooper S.
Soon after competing in the SCCA National Championship in Topeka, Kansas, AJ discovered shifter karts. Here was racing! Open wheel racing, against other karts on real road courses with fantastic speeds, up to 120 mph! Karting offered i
t all, with seat times measured in minutes rather than seconds per race. Technically sophisticated machines with off the shelf components that he could wrench and race within well defined classes. What better measure of his own abilities? This was an ideal combination of motor and sports. Within weeks, AJ had found a 2002 model Birel CR32X powered by a two stroke Honda CR125 and began preparing for the 2004 season. Oh yeah, and forget that degree in Mechanical Engineering, this boy was gonna go racing!
And he was off, winning the 2004 Senior Rookie of the Year honors from the Woodbridge Kart Club.
AJ Nealey, racing in two classes, finished his first year 5th in CIK 125 Sprint 1 class and 3rd and CIK 125 Sprint 2 class with the Woodbridge Kart Club and raced a couple of events in the World Karting Association Dunlop Tire National Road Racing Series.
AJ Nealey maintained his pace throughout 2005 with the Woodbridge Kart Club and World Karting Association finishing 2nd in CIK 125 Sprint 1 and 3rd CIK 125 Sprint 2 with one win. Nationally, AJ raced h
imself into 9th place in the CIK125 Sprint 1 class and 6th place in CIK 125 Sprint 2 class in overall year end points.
The 2006 season kicked off to a good start. AJ's preparation and competitive skill at the premier National World Karting Association event at Daytona International Speedway earned him a 6th place finish in CIK 125 Sprint 1 class and a 4th place finish in the CIK 125 Sprint 2 class nationals.
Aside from his karting schedule, AJ has found the time and resources to successfully complete a 3 day and 2 day advanced racing school with Skip Barber and competed in five rounds of the Skip Barber Eastern Regional Ra
cing Series in 2006.
At the end of the 2006 season, AJ acquired a 1988 Honda CRX Si with intentions on competing in the National Auto Sport Association’s Honda Challenge racing series. The season was extremely successful with an East Coast Honda Challenge H4 championship along with a 3rd place overall finish at the inaugural Pro IT Festival at Mid-Ohio and a strong 5th place finish at the NASA National
Championships. AJ also stunned the ITA field with a 3rd place finish at the American Road Race of Champions (ARRC) at Road Atlanta. He was a serious contender and is looking for more in 2008!
For 2008, AJ Nealey Racing teamed up with Phil Phillips at Phils Tire Service! AJ co-drove with Phil in his PTB Acura Integra GSR at all NASA-MA events accumulating 5 wins and setting 3 track records! AJ also raced for a championship in his own CRX in the Mid-Atlantic Road Racing Series in ITA. AJ dominated. Racking up 8 wins, 8 poles, and a track record out of 8 races. The perfect season!
Then it was time for AJ to make a decision on 2009. After a couple months pondering and chatting with the right people on the next step, it was determined that attempting to compete in the new and extremely exciting Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup was the route to go. After sending in the initial application to Volkswagen out of 5400 people, AJ was invited to attend the TDI Cup Driver Selection Event in Sonoma, CA! A
J showed what he was made of and out of the 50 drivers at the Selection Event, he was chosen to be one of the 30 drivers to compete in the 2009 VW TDI Cup! This has been a long time dream for him and couldn’t wait to compete on the national stage. AJ had a good showing with two strong 2nd place finishes at VIR and Road America and 2 other top 10 finishes. Unfortunately, AJ had some bad luck towards the end of the season and finished 12th in the overall standings.
For 2010, AJ will be attempting yet another run in the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup if he can secure the proper financial backing to compete. AJ established an incredible partnership with Dave Tilton from
Brimtek, Inc. and this relationsh
ip has trickled into the 2010 racing season. With Brimtek’s support, AJ will be able to participate in the TDI Cup Selection Event which will take place in Las Vegas, NV this year. We’ll wait to see how AJ performs!
Success in any motorsport is a team effort. AJ is now actively looking for marketing partners to build a team and go racing. A successful team will deliver business building opportunities and as a bonus, a podium finish at the race venue of choice. It's an opportunity for the team to go racing and find the finish in their respective winner’s circle.
