Story: Racing for Family

Taylor Gilbert carries a gas can from the garage as she works on a race car with her father at their home in Cornish, N.H., Tuesday evening, June 8, 2010. Racing cars for the Gilbert family is about the time spent together and building their relationship, not just about winning a race.

Taylor and Chris Gilbert walk up to the stands to visit mom at Twin State Auto Speedway in Claremont, N.H., Friday evening, June 4, 2010. Chris adopted Taylor after marrying her mother when she was two years old.

Taylor Gilbert applies a decal with the help of their father, Chris, as they spend time together working on their race car in their garage at their home in Cornish, N.H., Tuesday evening, June 8, 2010. When Chris decided to let Taylor start racing, one of the conditions was they had to do the maintenance work together.

Taylor Gilbert listens to her father Chris give pre-race advice at the Twin State Auto Speedway in Claremont, N.H., Friday evening, June 4, 2010. "When she is old enough to get her license, she'll know how to take car of a car herself," said Chris.

$Taylor Gilbert listens to her father Chris give pre-race advice at the Twin State Auto Speedway in Claremont, N.H., Friday evening, June 4, 2010. \$ $Taylor Gilbert listens to her father Chris give pre-race advice at the Twin State Auto Speedway in Claremont, N.H., Friday evening, June 4, 2010. \$

Taylor Gilbert, 12, listens to the race director during a drivers meeting before the start of the evening's competition at Twin State Auto Speedway in Claremont, N.H., Friday evening, June 4, 2010. Gilbert is one of the youngest drivers on the track, competing in the small but growing sportsman's league.

$Taylor Gilbert, 12, listens to the race director during a drivers meeting before the start of the evening\'s competition at Twin State Auto Speedway in Claremont, N.H., Friday evening, June 4, 2010. Gilbert is one of the youngest drivers on the track, competing in the small but growing sportsman\'s league.$ $Taylor Gilbert, 12, listens to the race director during a drivers meeting before the start of the evening\'s competition at Twin State Auto Speedway in Claremont, N.H., Friday evening, June 4, 2010. Gilbert is one of the youngest drivers on the track, competing in the small but growing sportsman\'s league.$

Taylor Gilbert buckles herself in her race harness before her race at the Twin State Auto Speedway in Claremont, N.H., Friday evening, June 4, 2010. Chris made safety the #1 priority with Taylor's racing, installing a protective frame in the car to protect her in case of an accident. "I think this will make her a better, safer driver when she is older, she'll know how to avoid accidents," said her father.

$Taylor Gilbert buckles herself in her race harness before her race at the Twin State Auto Speedway in Claremont, N.H., Friday evening, June 4, 2010. Chris made safety the #1 priority with Taylor\'s racing, installing a protective frame in the car to protect her in case of an accident. \$ $Taylor Gilbert buckles herself in her race harness before her race at the Twin State Auto Speedway in Claremont, N.H., Friday evening, June 4, 2010. Chris made safety the #1 priority with Taylor\'s racing, installing a protective frame in the car to protect her in case of an accident. \$

Taylor Gilbert takes a moment to herself before her race at the Twin State Auto Speedway in Claremont, N.H., Friday evening, June 4, 2010.

Cars race around the track nestled in the hills of New Hampshire after sunset at the Twin State Auto Speedway in Claremont, N.H., Friday night, May 28, 2010. While there are other sportsman's league races in New Hampshire and Vermont, they require a much longer commute to practice and race from the Gilbert home in nearby Cornish.

$Cars race around the track nestled in the hills of New Hampshire after sunset at the Twin State Auto Speedway in Claremont, N.H., Friday night, May 28, 2010. While there are other sportsman\'s league races in New Hampshire and Vermont, they require a much longer commute to practice and race from the Gilbert home in nearby Cornish.$ $Cars race around the track nestled in the hills of New Hampshire after sunset at the Twin State Auto Speedway in Claremont, N.H., Friday night, May 28, 2010. While there are other sportsman\'s league races in New Hampshire and Vermont, they require a much longer commute to practice and race from the Gilbert home in nearby Cornish.$

Taylor Gilbert, 12, climbs out of her car in the winners circle after placing second in the sportsman's race at Twin State Auto Speedway in Claremont, N.H., Friday evening, June 4, 2010. Racing cars for the Gilbert family is more about the time spent together and building their relationship, not just about winning.

$Taylor Gilbert, 12, climbs out of her car in the winners circle after placing second in the sportsman\'s race at Twin State Auto Speedway in Claremont, N.H., Friday evening, June 4, 2010. Racing cars for the Gilbert family is more about the time spent together and building their relationship, not just about winning.$ $Taylor Gilbert, 12, climbs out of her car in the winners circle after placing second in the sportsman\'s race at Twin State Auto Speedway in Claremont, N.H., Friday evening, June 4, 2010. Racing cars for the Gilbert family is more about the time spent together and building their relationship, not just about winning.$

Taylor Gilbert, 12, takes off her Nomex racing suit as she packs up to go home to Cornish, N.H., after her second race at the Twin State Auto Speedway in Claremont, N.H., Friday evening, June 4, 2010. She did not win the race, but is becoming more confident with her ability and control of her car as the season progresses.