Imagine if your greatest triumph meant defeating one of your idols.  For a lot of racers, to reach the pinnacle of your sport, it eventually has to come to that.  And for me, it was no different.

Looking back, the most memorable event of my career was the 2009 season-ending World Finals at Charlotte Motor Speedway.  I was 21-years-old, facing the biggest racing weekend of my life.  I found myself in a tight points battle with Steve Francis, a veteran driver and considered one of the top competitors on the World of Outlaws Late Model Series circuit at that time.  Everything we had worked for all year had come down to that weekend.  One of us was going to walk away with the Series Championship.

Francis was not only a fellow competitor, but also a longtime mentor and a friend.  He drove my father's Rocket Chassis house car when I was growing up and had taught me a lot over the years.  I couldn't believe it had come down to this.  I was battling one of my idols for the chance to hoist the prestigious eagle trophy.

The World Finals was a two-day event and we started the weekend six points behind Francis.  I knew I had to be on top of my game to be able to come home with the Series title.

Friday market the first night of racing.  I lined up for the Feature in the seventh spot and Francis started fourth.  I knew I had to pass him to be able to gain some points and stay in contention for Saturday.  We finished fifth and he crossed the line ninth.  That set me up for Saturday night's race with a four-point advantage.

I was more nervous than I had ever been going into the final night

I was more nervous than I had ever been going into the final night, but I was able to push my feelings aside.  I knew I had to go out and approach that race just like any other.  As long as I could finish within two positions of Francis, the Championship would be mind.

We started 14th and Francis was in front of us starting in the 10th spot.  I had my work cut out for me.  I raced hard and by the midway point I had passed him and pulled away.  My eyes were glued to the scoreboard as I watch the laps count down.  Those were some of the most intense laps I had ever run.  AS I came out of Turn 4 on the final lap, I could see the checkered flag.  I was running in seventh and Steve was scored in 12th.  As I crossed the finish line I was overwhelmed with emotions.  I couldn't believe I had won my first Championship at the young age of 21 and achieved one of my childhood dreams.

It was one of the best days of my life.

 

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