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WHILE SKILL AND EQUIPMENT play crucial roles in a successful race season, when challenges arise the biggest asset for a driver is strong mental fortitude and the ability to roll with the punches, not allowing them to carry from one race to the next. For Kyle Strickler, the 2021 race season produced some of the biggest tests in mental fortitude a driver might endure throughout their career, from his departure from PCC Motorsports, the loss of his crew chief, to struggling to adapt to new equipment at Team Zero. Strickler faced them all while working toward returning to the success he had experienced just one season prior but now seemed more and more elusive as the season carried on.

The offseason gave the Highside Tickler the opportunity to rebuild, gather his thoughts and plan for 2022, stronger mentally than he may have ever been where his career in dirt track racing would be concerned. After returning to a Longhorn chassis and familiarity of not only equipment but long time sponsors and team members, we sat down with Kyle Strickler to reflect on the struggles of his 2021 season, the reality of mental health as a competitive driver on a national tour, and the hope that glimmers in the form of a clean slate and a fresh season.

Dirt Empire: The 2021 race season brought about a lot of challenges for you as a driver. What do you feel the opportunity to race with Team Zero and Scott Bloomquist taught you?

KS: I’ve always looked up to Scott, it was something I always wanted to do, to go at least give it a shot to go drive for him. He’s taught me a ton about the racing world, how important certain things and different components are on the race car, how if you want things done right, you have to learn how to do it yourself. With people coming and going, moving around