OK, hands up those of you who love watching NASCAR drivers roar around an oval track at breakneck speeds! Great, now keep your hands up if you’ve actually ridden in one of those vehicles yourself!

Hey, I still have my hand up, and a huge silly grin on my face because today I rode passenger with none other than Joey McColm, Canada’s up-and-coming, and youngest NASCAR driver.

At just 24 years old, this young man from Ajax, Ontario is going places fast!

Joey began his career racing mini stocks at just fifteen years of age and by seventeen, he had already moved into late model cars.  By 2006, he was competing nationally in the CASCAR Super and Sportsman Series, and just a year later when the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series was launched, Joey signed up for that. His father, Kevin, tells a wonderful story of how some of the other drivers were a tad skeptical of having such a youngster join them. After all, most were several years his senior and with cars costing $200k or more, they were somewhat concerned about a “rookie driver” racing amongst them. However, it didn’t take them long to swallow their words because, in his first year ,Joey participated in 8 of the 12 events and was twice placed in the top ten!

Of course, behind every successful driver is a dedicated team, not only in pit lane but also in the boardroom. I’m talking sponsors, because without them there’d be a lot of disappointed fans sitting around watching an empty race track. Fortunately Joey has found a kindred spirit in Darren Bondar, also a fairly young man (36) and the founder of “Watch it!” Canada’s boutique retail destination for the latest styles in watches, sunglasses and accessories.

Together with Darren and his other sponsors, Dodge and Atto insurance, Joey has high hopes for the season. Currently standing in 11^th position in the points, out of a field of thirty-four, I’d say he’s doing pretty well already and there are still lots of race days left.

His next event will be in Toronto for the Jumpstart 100 on the 17^th of July (Honda Indy weekend). Why not come out and cheer him on. I’ll be there, that’s for sure. After all, I expect to see big things from this young man over the next few years and I’m looking forward to one day saying, “the great Joey McColm, yeah I’ve ridden with him”!!

For more info and updates on appearances by Joey McColm link to:

www.watchit.ca

www.nascar.ca

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/joeymccolm?ref=search