Tennessee teen turns heads, looks to move up in racing world

More and more weekly race tracks like Nashville’s Fairgrounds Speedway are folding around the country, slamming the door on the aspirations of scores of young drivers.

Knoxville’s Trevor Bayne, a 19-year-old NASCAR sensation, is proof that dreams don’t necessarily die with the tracks.

“It’s definitely harder to break into the sport than it used to be, but it can still be done,” said Bayne, who will try to add to an already impressive racing resume in Saturday’s Federated Auto Parts 300 at Nashville Superspeedway. “There’s still opportunities out there. You’ve just got to put a lot of effort into it and hope for some breaks along the way.

“Not everybody makes it – the best racer in the world may be bagging groceries somewhere right now. I’ve been very fortunate.”

Bayne began driving go-karts at five, then started knocking around little area bull rings like Dumpling Valley Speedway. At 15 he ran a Hooter’s Pro Cup race at Bristol and it was there that he caught the eye of a GM official. Bayne was invited to participate in a developmental program at Dale Earnhardt, Inc., and last year landed a ride with Diamond-Waltrip Racing in the Nationwide Series.

This season Bayne has a best finish of sixth, is 13th in the standings, and is earning a reputation as one of NASCAR’s hot up-and-comers.

He also is one of a scant number of Tennesseans in a sport that was once stocked with Volunteer State drivers.

“I don’t think about it much until I race at Bristol or Nashville and fans come up and say they’re glad to see a Tennessean in the lineup,” he said. “I’m proud to represent my home state.”

As one of the sport’s rising stars, Bayne said there’s more to racing nowadays than just going fast.

“You have to be able to handle the marketing and media aspects as well as drive the car,” he said. “It’s a combination of all three.”

Kyle Busch, another talented young driver, is a master on the track but often alienates fans with such antics as dashing his trophy guitar to bits after a Superspeedway victory last year. Bayne’s take on Busch?

“Would I rather be a good racer or a good person? I don’t think I have to choose between the two,” he said. “I think it’s possible to be a good driver without being arrogant.”

Busch, winner of five of 12 Nationwide races this season, has opted not to defend his series championship. He will skip Saturday’s race to focus on his Sprint Cup duties at Pocono. So will Kevin Harvick, winner of two races, including the Superspeedway’s April 3 event.

With those two dominant drivers out of the lineup, the door is open for someone to make a move – perhaps someone like Bayne.

“I enjoy racing against those Cup guys and matching myself against the very best,” he said. “But it does get frustrating at times. I’m not used to losing; I’d won in every series I’d raced in all my life, and winning seemed almost easy. Now I’m having to battle to finish in the top 10. I keep reminding myself that I’m racing against some of the best drivers in the world, but a win sure would be good for morale.”


FEDERATED AUTO PARTS 300 SCHEDULE
(at Nashville Superspeedway)

FRIDAY
4 p.m.: parking lots open
4:30 p.m.: gates open
5 p.m.: practice
6:45 p.m.: final practice
(open to public for general admission ticket)

SATURDAY
Noon: parking lots open
2 p.m.: gates and Fan Walk open
3:05: qualifying
5 p.m.: John Rich concert
7 p.m.: Federated Auto Parts 300

TV: ESPN2

Tickets: available at 1-866-RACE-TIX, at nashvillesuperspeedway.com or at the gates up to race time.