The Dream of Driving; Starts with the Drive to Dream

What did you want to be when you grew up? Many of us changed or dreams time and time again with the passing years of youth.

My children, while only 5 and 7 years old have already changed their minds more times than the second hand changes position on a clock face. When I was growing up the dreams of my future always centered on a career in the creative arts; switching between journalist, singer, or song writer.

For one man from my home town, the dream was always the same. The speed, the passion, the rush of being inches away from the outside wall as one of stock car racing's legends was looking to the inside for that last lap pass. The scenario was always played out with the background music of a high octane race engines roar; and ended with the drop of a checkered flag.

Growing up there was never a variance in the answer Matt Poole would give to the question; "what do you want to be?" Poole has always wanted to race.

"All kids have dreams. They see a police car, and they want to be a policeman. They see fire trucks; they want to be a fireman. The first time I saw a race car, I wanted to be a race car driver. What I would say to any kid, or even any adult, is if you have a dream, go after it, no matter how long it takes. Never give less than 100% to achieve that dream, no matter how old you are. If someone tells you "no", don't get discouraged, and don't give up." Poole said, when asked about kids following the dreams of their own.

"A lot of people told me no, a lot of people told me my dream would never come true. I didn't give up. Every time I heard the word "no" it only gave me more determination. Don't EVER give up on your dreams, if you want something badly enough, if it's worth having, you have to be dedicated to making that dream a reality. Don't let anything stand in your way, no matter what obstacles you face in getting there. Because there is nothing more satisfying than that feeling of knowing you did it, against all odds. That's the feeling I had when I took that very first green flag at Hickory Motor Speedway. I kept telling myself "I did it, I'm here"