January 19, Westfield, MA--- The third driver that was more than willing to talk me about his racing experience was Dave Bodio of Milford, Ma. He is a young up and coming racer at Whip City Speedway. And for being only seventeen years old he already has an impressive racing career. It was also interesting to see what he had said about how his friends reacted to him racing.

At Whip City Speedway Dave is one of the tracks youngest competitors in the 600cc mini sprint car division. But before he took to the wheel of a sprint car he had driven competition go karts on pavement and dirt. He started racing when he was only seven years old. While he was competing in go karts he took down over fifty wins.

Dave realized he wanted to race after a trip with his father to their friend Ed Ianatelli’s shop to see his race cars. Once he saw Ed’s shop and cars he knew he wanted to go racing.

In the teen years it could be hard to dog something completely different than the rest of the crowed. And that is just socially. Then when teens talk about and participate in sports it’s even harder. But for Dave its different. His friends are impressed that he is sticking true to himself. “A lot of them think its really cool that I’m into something like that.”

When asked if he has won any kind of points championships he said that he hasn’t. Dave was quoted at saying, “I’ve never really ran for points.” He says that because of his fathers work schedule they end up missing races every now and then. But that has not stopped them from traveling to different race tracks. The farthest he has traveled to compete in a race was going to Hill Valley Speedway in Pennsylvania.

Dave is one of those racers who likes to do most of the work on his own car. He thinks that it gives him advantage over the rest of the field. “You know how everything works,” Dave told me. He also said that he goes into every week knowing the car is ready and up to his standards of driving.

The last thing Dave and I talked about was his favorite part of racing. He told me that his favorite part is the feeling he gets when he wins. Dave said that the hard work that is put into racing pays off. And the win makes all that work worth it.

After talking with Dave, it wouldn’t surprise me if he decides to go farther with racing. So keep your eyes out for this young man, he is going to go far.