When I was 9-years-old, everybody was out on the weekends riding their bikes and playing with their friends. But, where was I? I was doing something most kids don't do with the free time they have on their weekend. I was driving race cars every Friday and Saturday night at just the age of 9-years-old. You think that is crazy? Well, most of the people I know started racing go-karts at the age of five. I'm now 21-years-old, and my passion for racing hasn't stopped, but the racing has dimmed down a bit. I cannot do what I used to do every Friday and Saturday; I have a college education to finish. When I was younger, I thought I would not be in school at this point and a NASCAR star (which obviously didn't happen), but we all have to have dreams. I'm sure you are reading this and thinking the same things as others I have encountered over the years, "Oh racing? That's easy, and anyone can do that" or "All you do is drive in circles." It really isn't that easy. I ask anyone to hop in my race car go 100 laps and see how they feel about it afterward.
When you look back and look at the sacrifices you and your family made for you to race, it's just not a sport or a hobby at that point – it is a lifestyle. A lifestyle that sticks with you for most of your life. Once you get behind the wheel of a race car, it is all over from there. I still remember the first time I ever drove my first race car. I made my dad put the belts in the car so I could strap in (I was a tad scared because I was only nine. The funny thing is I have to admit I did cry a little when I first hit the throttle down the street of my neighborhood, but after I made it down the street, I did not want to get out of the car. I ate, breathed, and lived racing my whole childhood all after that day. I would draw race cars in my notebook at school, think of the different scheme I wanted to put on my car that would look cool, dreamt of winning championships and races. I was just like every other kid – I had a dream of doing these things, but most do not get the opportunity.
I got that opportunity. I won three championships and many races. I cannot even tell you how many laps I logged at my home track. I moved up the ranks from Bandolero cars to legends cars, to limited late models, to trucks, to pro late models, and then open wheel modifieds. I won in every car I've raced, and that's something that really makes it all for me. I have won races and championships, but I have also sacrificed a lot of my childhood to do that. I couldn't really hang out with my friends on weekends; I never went to homecoming, but once. I luckily made it to my senior prom, but that was only cause I had an off week in my schedule to go to it. I really would not change any of it. I'm super close with my dad because of this and it mostly kept me out of trouble. I even found one of my closest friends because of racing and we have been friends since he was eight, and I was 10. Racing has changed my life, and I do not think I will ever want to stop. Even when I'm old and cannot get up out of the chair without help. It is in my blood and something that will never change.
