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GRIFFIN - He’s been racing cars since he was about 10 years old, and he just graduated from Pike County High School as a 2023 graduate. Justin Campbell is 18, is in his 9th year of racing, and is now racing in NASCAR.

Pike County Times was able to interview Justin earlier this summer when he was between races for the 2023 NASCAR season as a part of the Rev Racing Team. How did he get from racing at 10 years old to racing in NASCAR at 18?

It Started Out with a Bandolero

Justin started out racing in 2016 in a Bandolero. He described it like a miniature race car. “It’s a great start up car for kids that are getting into racing,” he said. “It’s a great way for them to get out there, have fun, and compete.”

His family purchased a Bandolero race car from someone who raced it before him. For many years, it was them doing their own thing from fundraising to setting up before races. But he is now a part of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Program and Rev Racing.

This is his third year in the program. He spent two years in the Legends Cars Series before moving up to this being his first year racing late model stock cars. For those who do not know race cars, US Legends cars are small race cars that are slightly bigger than Bandoleros.

Why Racing?

When asked what his passion is and he started racing, Justin said that it seemed like something fun to do, and he likes the adrenaline rush that he gets from it.

When asked if he still got that rush from driving, he said, “I still get that adrenaline rush, and I like being able to face new challenges. Especially this year driving a new race car with a team that is very well-rounded with good equipment.”

Justin rides in the #6 car and is part of a team of 6 or 8 people who work together for each race. “They prepare everything before race time like for our practice sessions and qualifying sessions, we usually make adjustments and kind of figure out what I can do differently to go faster out there and be able to race up front.”

Races vary from 40 to 75 to even more than 100 laps. And while they can make adjustments or replace something that is broken if that is needed during the race, they don’t change out tires during the races like they do in the longer NASCAR races.

Racing Season Is Ongoing

Race season runs from February to October/November. He’ll be running in 18 races this year, and races will be around the Carolinas with most in the North Carolina area because Rev Racing is based out of the North Carolina area.

Rev Racing has drivers in other series who travel throughout the United States including a truck series team that raced at Talladega earlier in the season.

Giving Back and Being Thankful

What are some of the ways that Justin has been able to interact with the public and give back while he is racing? “We do things at the hospital like hand out teddy bears, meet and greets, and do stuff with the NASCAR Foundation.” He specifically mentioned being a part of an event last year with The Shaquille O’Neal Boys and Girls Club of Henry County.

Pike County Times asked if any kids have said that they want to race after meeting Justin. “I’ve had a few kids and even some older than me that are inspired and kind of want to get into racing,” he said.

What kind of advice would Justin give for anyone wanting to get into racing? “I would say just have fun with it and don’t give up. And as long as you try your best, the best results will come to you.”

What started as a family thing with racing has turned into a career in racing for Justin. His Mom goes to almost every race to support him, his Dad works long hours to provide him with everything that he needs to follow his dream of NASCAR, and Justin is very thankful for the support he receives from his family. “I am thankful for them supporting my racing career,” he said.

He also said that he is thankful for them helping him to have a place to stay in North Carolina and all that they have done to fund and support his racing career.

Justin emphasized more than once during the interview how thankful he was for his parents' support in his dream of racing for NASCAR.

Closing

Rev Racing is headquartered in Concord, North Carolina. According to www.RevRacing.net, it is “the competition arm of NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity Program and serves as the NASCAR-supported racing team charged with developing female and minority drivers, and pit crew members in the NASCAR development series for future competition at NASCAR’s highest levels.” The Drive for Diversity Program was born in 2004, and Drive for Diversity drivers compete in almost 50 NASCAR events each year across the United States.

Justin has had 9 top 10 finishes so far this year at racetracks like Florence and Hickory Motor Speedway. "There is definitely still a lot of room for improvement, but with time and experience, we'll get better and better until we're up front competing for wins," he said.

Keep an eye on Justin Campbell! He enjoys racing, and he is going places!

You can follow his career on Facebook at www.facebook.com/justincampbellracing.