2/22/2025
California RaceSaver Sprints
Koen Shaw
Koen Shaw, hailing from the sunny streets of Fresno, California, didn’t just catch the racing bug—he was practically born with it. As a kid, he spent his days watching his dad tear it up in the 250 class at the legendary Lemoore Jet Bowl. It was there, in that dusty little track in the middle of nowhere, that Koen had his "eureka" moment: this was his calling. From that day on, it was all about racing. And let’s not forget his brother, Kyler Shaw, who runs FastFour Media—talk about a family that lives and breathes racing!
When you ask Koen about his racing history, his response is pure gold: “It’s almost what I haven’t raced.” From go-karts to sprint cars (both winged and non-wing) and even midgets, if it has wheels and can race, Koen’s probably driven it—and won in it too. His resume? Let’s just say it’s impressive for a kid who does it just for the fun of it.
In 2010, Koen bagged the Lemoore Non-Wing Championship, and the next year, he didn’t just compete—he dominated, becoming the Plaza Park Champion and the Tulsa Shootout Stock Non-Wing Champion. 2011? Yeah, that was his year. But he didn’t stop there. After a couple of years, Koen took the Non-Wing Championship at Delta Speedway in 2017, and then—because why not?—took home the Civil War Championship in 2019 and the Ken Wilsher Classic Championship in 2023. Talk about a podium addiction.
But Koen’s talents don’t stop at the wheel. When he’s not racing, he’s making sure the action stays exciting as a track announcer and infield official at a mind-boggling number of tracks. We’re talking places like Tulare, Chico, Lemoore, Delta, Ventura, Southern Illinois Raceway... and that’s just a taste. His favorite? Chico. But he’s warming up to the legendary Tulare Thunderbowl, too.
In 2024, Koen stepped into the RaceSaver world, stepping into a ride when a fellow racer needed a sub. Guess what? He got a win—and snagged several other podium finishes. After attempting some celebratory donuts, he high-centered in turn 4, he told the crowd, through a radio over the mic: “I’ve always struggled at Tulare, it is nice to come out on top.” Classic Koen.
When asked why anyone should jump into the RaceSaver series, whether as fans, sponsors, or drivers, Koen doesn’t hesitate: “I feel this is a great series for those that are looking to have fun and be competitive without having to spend a ton of money to compete. You’ll see some true racers that are coming into the class or the drivers that have been around a while that want to take a financial step back and still have fun in a sprint car.”
After his most recent Tulare race, Koen had a moment of reflection: “I forgot just how much fun racing can be. I think I might just have to put a car together for 2025.” And it looks like that’s exactly what he’s doing—because if there’s one thing Koen Shaw knows how to do, it’s race, and race hard.
Article Credit: Alicia Garges
Submitted By: ALICIA GARGES
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