Garrett Marchant: No Ordinary Kid

If you don’t know the name Garrett Marchant, you will in the next few years. I ‘met’ Garrett a few months ago on twitter through some mutual followers. He was trying to get a lot of followers and I was told to follow him, so I did. Little did I know, I found a good friend in this kid. I even sometimes call him Mr. Garrett, which peeves him a little. Maybe that’s why he like to call me ‘sir’. Great sense of humor, even though he likes to pick on us girls sometimes. At 13, almost 14, Garrett has been racing at tracks around his home in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, which I realized isn’t that far from my old home in Chesapeake, Virginia where I spent a week this past June. Garrett isn’t your typical teenage racer. Though he does race, he races for a cause. Along with his best friend, 9-year-old go-cart racer Ricky Springer, Garrett races to help APFED, or American Partnership For Eosinophillic Disorders. Like I said, he’s no ordinary racer. Garrett has even gotten a few, I guess you can call them famous, drivers to help in Racing For A Cause. Garrett has been doing what my middle school has been doing for CP or Cerebral Palsy, raising money. I can honestly say that I have donated and will probably continue to donate to his cause.

You don’t usually find kids like Garrett. Garrett hosts his own radio show on the internet called “For The Win.” on blogtalkradio.com. He has guests like Camping World Truck Series drivers Max Papis and Justin Lofton, Ross Kenseth, son of NASCAR Winston Cup Champion Matt Kenseth, and Nationwide Series driver Jeremy Clements. Last week Garrett asked if I wanted to ask him a few questions for my blog, which I delight accepted.

What got you into racing?

" Well my dad has raced for about 20 years now so I was at lots of racetracks going up and a few years ago I really decided that hey this is what I want to do."

What is your favorite thing about it?

" My favorite thing is the competition in no other sports series is there as much competition, I also love the speed factor."

What is your least favorite thing about it?

" The amount of sponsor dollars haha, but as far as things on track I hate how you can win a race one week and when you show up at the track you basically just can't even stay out of your own way."

When did you start racing?

" I started racing this year (2010) and I have been very pleased with my results so far and can't thank my team, sponsors, and fans enough for their support!"

I know you are an Elliott Sadler fan, what made you pick him as your favorite driver?

" Well Elliott is local, he lives 10 minute from my house, plus he was the first driver I met and also what really made me a Sadler fan he sent me a signed T-shirt to me without anyone asking him.

What is Racing For A Cause and how did it come into your racing? "Racing For A Cause was started by 9 year old Ricky Springer a few years ago who has the disease, It benefits APFED ( American Partnership For Eosinophillic Disorders). The deal came about pretty simply really I saw the cause and contacted Mrs. Julie Springer and I asked can I carry your logo and that was how it started."

When you are not racing, what are you doing?

" Working on racecars really race season never stops, but I enjoy hanging out with my friends and family since I don't get to spend much time with them during race season and I am at church basically every night so those are things I enjoy."

What do you hope to accomplish in the future with your racing and Racing For A Cause?

" I hope obviously in the first one to make it to NASCAR everybody says that but honestly that is the ultimate goal. To answer your second question I hope to have them on the hood of a car I drive in NASCAR one day and I also would like to educate everyone on Eosinophillic disorders because most people so not know about it.

Who are your Racing For A Cause teammates?

"Ricky Springer ( Founder of RFAC and Kart Driver) Jeremy Clements (NNS) Mike Senica (ARCA) Grant Enfinger (ARCA) Larry Spencer (Enduro) Trevor Ahouse ( FWD Division) and Bronson Butcher (Karts and Legends)

The off-season is here for you and NASCAR, what are you going to do?

" Work on racecars, work out, look for sponsors that type of thing, racing may stop for the fans but

it never stops race teams in the off season."

How do you prepare for a race?

"I like to work out , get lots of rest, eat good foods and that type of thing during the week to get me ready to race."

Any pre-race rituals?

" Yes, the only Pre Race Ritual I have is to pray with my race team before every one of my races but that is my only Pre Race Ritual."

What is your mentality going into next year?

"My mentality is: I'm racing at Orange County and South Boston they are two of the toughest race tracks their are ( I'm running full time at Orange County for points) So If I can get a top 5 in points and ROTY I will feel like I have really done something, I 'd love to win a race but we will see what happens."

Anything else you want people to know about you?

" Not really besides that I am very religious I make sure I am at church every chance I get, and I would also like everyone to know I am very thankful for my fans and family and appreciate every one's support so much it really motivates me to make it to NASCAR."

Like I said, Garrett Marchant is no ordinary kid. Every kid has a dream, and Garrett’s is to make it to NASCAR top level. What sets Garrett apart from other kids his age, Garrett is actually trying to do something about it. I am proud to know Garrett. He’s trying to make a difference here.

If you want to help Racing For A Cause, please contact him at

www.twitter.com/GarrettMarchant or on his Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Garrett-Marchant/319657193853. You can contact me at either www.twitter.com/SamRaeBayne or my e-mail samyoung13@hotmail.com

if you can not reach Garrett. Please help. Kids like Ricky need it.

Why Driver/crew chief relationships are important

In NASCAR, you have to have a good relationship with your crew chief in order to be successful. We've all seen what Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knuas can do together. Steve LeTarte and Jeff Gordon, Joey Logano and Greg Zipadelli, Denny Hamlin and Mike Ford, Kasey Kahne and Kenny Francis. These are some of the more well known driver/crew chief in NASCAR. Most of the time, they get along, but some times, it doesn't go over so well. Rick Hendrick almost split Jimmie and Chad up because they kept fighting. What makes now so different than a few years ago. Jimmie and Chad still yell at each other. As a driver, you HAVE to have faith and trust in your crew chief. How are you two going to work if you don't have either of those? Everybody can say that Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knuas are the best driver/crew chief combo in NASCAR, but they are not. I know they have the 50+ wins and the 5 championships, but they don't quite mesh together as well as a certain driver/crew chief combo. Here's a hint for you. These to have ten wins together, but have recently been separated due to the fact that the driver was release early from his contract. Give up? It's Kasey Kahne and Kenny Francis. These two may not be as successful as Jimmie and Chad, but they have something they don't. Respect for each other. I'm not saying that they don't, I'm saying is that they don't that the relationship that Kasey and Kenny have. When Kasey gets angry, Kenny doesn't yell back. He tries to calm his driver down. You never seen them angry at each other. One driver/crew chief relationship that doesn't work is Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Lance McGrew. Going back to what Kyle Busch said back in 2008 about Rick making Lance Dale's crew chief, "It's always the crew chief, never the driver." In this case, it is the crew chief. From what I have heard, Lance doesn't listen to Dale. They are not meshing. What I think should happen is when Kasey goes to Hendrick Motorsports in 2012 is Kasey should bring Kenny with him as his crew chief of the 5, Alan goes to the 88, and Rick gets rid of Lance completely. Lance is not helping the situation at ALL. You see, driver/crew chief relationships are very important in this sport. (Note: I think Kenny Francis should get a twitter account.)

What is with NASCAR drivers growing the beards?

I figured, since Austin Dillon has joined this group, why not blog about NASCAR stars and their facial hair, or the lack there of. Why am I talking about NASCAR driver's facial hair? Frankly, I have no clue. Oh wait! I do! It's all Austin Dillon's fault! He's been growing a beard for the past two weeks. I am not saying facial hair is bad, when you look like Kasey Kahne or Denny Hamlin, but when drivers start to look like Big Foot, like Jimmie Johnson and Dale Jr, that is where I draw the line. Where do you official draw the line with the facial hair? Who is their right mind would grow a big Foot beard? What kind of things would you find in there? Some people look good with beards, others do not. Austin's beard hasn't quite grown on me (see the play on words? lol), but it looks pretty darn hot. Dale Jr. *pukes in mouth a little* What the HELL where you thinking? When you don't shave, you look like a hobo, hence one of my first blog subjects. You can NOT tell me that you think that looks hot. If someone went through it with a comb, they would probably find a bird or some food who dropped in there. That is disgusting. You need a weed whacker for that? I'd say. Jimmie Johnson *cringes* Now, what the hell were you thinking? You wanted to be like Junior? That's not right. Yours doesn't look as bad as Junior's, but it still looks bad. Kasey Kahne *tiger growl* Oh man! Have you seen this guy with facial hair? Sexy! ;D You see? Some guys look hot with facial hair and some do not. I know this is one of my weirder blogs, but all well. Austin, why did you have to go and mess with Ashley's head? I mean, she likes you anyway, but this just kind of confuses her. Don't get my wrong, you look pretty good with the beard, but it's weird. I wonder how long you are going keep the hair. Just don't confuse Ashley more than what you already have! Oh! I almost forgot this! Kyle Busch soul patch from his Hendrick days! It looked like you had an unremovalable dirt patch on your chin. I am GLAD that you came to your senses and got rid of the damn thing. Now, if Dale can take a hint about the full of beard, then we would be all happy.

Cup race at Texas was pretty fucking hilarious

YES! I used an obscene word in my title. How else am I suppose to describe yesterday's race? I mena, between Denny getting the win and the points lead, a double Jeff fight on the back stretch which, my driver Kasey Kahne wanted to stop and watch them go at it, and the very obscene hadn gesture Kyle Busch gave an official, it was really fucking hilarious.
YES! Denny Hamlin has the points lead by 33 points over Jimmie Johnson. Stat: every year since the Chase started, the points leader with two races to ago has won the championship. Just food for thought there.
YES! Jeff Gordon and Jeff Burton got into a fight on the back stretch after the two of them got tangled up under caution. I have to say that everytime I saw the fight, I hade to laugh. I thought it was funny! Not to play favorites here, but I would have gone with Burton.
YES! Kyle Busch gave a NASCAR official the finger while he was held for a lap for speeding on pit road. That got him two more laps. I think maybe the old Kyle Busch is back, but that's just me.
At the end of the night, Denny Hamlin came out victorious. He almost finished second to Matt Kenseth, IF Matty didn't hit the wall after passing him for the lead. Does that remind you of anybody back in 2008 at Kansas? Carl Edwards pretty much did the same thing trying to beat Jimmie Johnson for the title and the race. Can you believe it's been almost two years since we've seen Carl Edwards in Victory Lane in Cup?
YES! Trevor Bayne DID make the race! *Sings* Happy, Happy, Happy! YES! He DID finish on the lead lap! YES! He DID finish 17th, ahead of some of the chase drivers. Isn't that awesome? I think so. The kid is so amazing! (I know I shouldn't be calling him a kid cuz he's older than me, but all well!)He never went a lap down, he passed quite a few really good drivers out there. he qualified 28th but had to start in the back because of a transmission change. he dug and dug and got a great finish for his first Cup race!
He did better than Joey did in his first Cup race. Speaking of Jo-Lo, he finished 4th after leading some laps. Now, that kid is really proving himself, trying to get career win number 2. After finishing 27th the week before, Kasey Kahne finished 13th, his best finish with the new team. I predict that Kasey Kahne will break into Victory Lane before the end of the season at either Phoenix or Homstead. He is a great driver and he refuses to give up.
Now, on to Nationwide. I don't usually do this, but I think it deserves some words. Carl Edwards won the race and Brad Keselowski wrapped up the driver's Championship for Roger Penske's first NASCAR championship. They are trailing the owner's championship to Joe Gibb's #18 Toyota by 80 points, so these last two races are going to be tough ones. so congratulations to both Roger and Brad.
So what does the nest two races have in store for Denny Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson, and Kevin Harvick? I don't know, so we are all going to have to find out!