Young drivers get all the attention, but never count out a veteran driver at Speedway 95 in Hermon.

Kenny Bowness races in the Super Street division after a 10-year absence from racing, but he’s happy to be back.

“I raced for many, many years. It just got so I couldn’t afford it at the time and I got away from it for a while. I always wanted to get back to it. I’m kind of retired and now I’m back racing again,” said the Glenburn native.

“I’m probably too old to be doing this, but I love doing it. I don’t like to retire and do nothing, but I love racing.”

Bowness, 65, has been racing since 1968 and says it’s lot different at Speedway 95 now.

“A lot has changed over the years. They’ve changed the track since I last raced and there’s a different [racing] groove. I had to change my habits and how I raced there,” said Bowness.

Even with the 10-year hiatus, Bowness is doing well in his division.

“I’ve had four top-three finishes including a second place. Right now we’re doing pretty good., having a good year,” said Bowness, who ranks fifth in Super Street points and second in Cam II series.

Brent Parritt has run away with the Super Street division so far, winning every race this season. That’s something Bowness would like to change.

“He’s got some really good equipment. A lot of us would like to beat him. I would like to be the one of the guys that beats him. But I’d like to beat him fair and square,” said Bowness.

Bowness started racing 31 years ago and it’s been in his blood ever since.

“A friend of mine hurt his back and couldn’t drive,” he said. “So I asked if I could race it and he let me. The opportunity was there and I took it and didn’t look back,” said Bowness.

Family is very important to most racecar drivers and Bowness is no different.

“My son-in-law and stepson help out with the pit crew along with my father-in-law and my wife. My wife’s a huge help. She helps sponsor the car, keeps records, pays the bills. She’s a great help,” he said.

Bowness said a championship might be out of reach, but he is hoping for the best.

“My goal is a top-three [points] finish,” he said. “I’m awful close to it. I’m too far away to win the championship.”

Bowness says he looks forward to competing again next year.

“I would like to be back as long as I’m healthy and able,” he said. “I would like to move up a division if I could. I’d like to go to a Limited Sportsman if a sponsorship came along, but as long as I’m competitive. I have a pretty competitive nature and as long as I can do that, I’m happy.

“I would like to keep doing this for as long as I can, as long as I’m healthy enough.”