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17-year-old to compete in Firestone Grand Prix
FOX 13's Jennifer Kveglis sits down with Ben Maier, a NASCAR truck racer who will be competing in the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Pete.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The track is set, the walls are up and engines are ready to roar in downtown St. Petersburg.
The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg kicks off Friday, turning the streets surrounding Albert Whitted Airport into a 1.8-mile, 14-turn street course.
Courtesy: Ben Maier Racing
New this year, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series joins the high-speed weekend, bringing with it one of the sport’s youngest competitors.
What we know:
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will make its debut appearance at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg this weekend.
Courtesy: Ben Maier Racing
Among the drivers competing is 17-year-old Ben Maier, a Maryland native who is now one of the youngest drivers across NASCAR’s top three national series.
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If Maier qualifies Friday, he will race in Saturday’s 80-lap "Only Bulls Green Flag 150," scheduled for 12:23 p.m.
The backstory:
Maier says racing has been part of his life for as long as he can remember.
Courtesy: Ben Maier Racing
"I started go-karting when I was three, and ever since then I just kept on moving up the ranks," Maier said.
With his father, Jim, by his side, Maier has competed in a variety of racing disciplines, including Legends cars, micro sprints, Miatas, Stadium Super Trucks, Nitro Cross and TA2.
Courtesy: Ben Maier Racing
He draws inspiration from his mother as well, a former sailboat racer, and carries her legacy through his number, 67.
"I just like going fast, racing people close quarters, passing and just being around people on the track is really fun," Maier said.
What's next:
Practice and qualifying begins Friday on the downtown street course.
For Maier, this marks his third race in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, an opportunity he calls a dream come true.
Courtesy: Ben Maier Racing
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"I’ve watched it my whole life growing up, so it’s kind of like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me," he said.
As for advice to other young racers? He said, "Don’t be intimidated by bigger races that you haven’t done, and don’t give up."
The Source: This story is based on reporting by FOX 13’s Jennifer Kveglis, including interviews with NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Ben Maier and event details provided by race organizers for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.