Mayo teen racing his way to the top

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Devin Walker and his number 55 race car. Courtesy photo

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February 28, 2013

Mayo teen racing his way to the top

Joyce Marie Taylor Suwannee Democrat The Suwannee Democrat Thu Feb 28, 2013, 02:20 PM EST

Mayo — Bubba Raceway Park (BRP) in Ocala held their Winternationals on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 15-16, and Mayo’s own Devin Walker was right in the thick of the action placing fifth across the finish line on Friday and taking first place on Saturday, as he hobnobbed with drivers of World of Outlaw Late Models and Hobby Stock cars.

“It was exciting,” his mother Stephanie Walker said. “Devin took the lead around lap five and with a no caution race led the rest of the 15 laps.”

Walker is a 16-year-old home-schooled 11th grader from the town of Mayo. Aside from racing cars he enjoys hunting, fishing and playing baseball. He started racing when he was 13 after saving his birthday money to pay for half of his first race car. He was a quick learner and won his first feature on his 11th try. He not only won his first race, but he caught the eye of World of Outlaws star Danny Lasoski, who immediately vowed to support him 100 percent. During that same season Walker received the inaugural David Reutimann Most Likely to Succeed at Racing Award and then had the opportunity to meet Reutimann in 2010.

His racing career kicked into high gear in 2011 and he received the Driver of the Month Award. He also went from 4 cylinder class to Street Stock and started clicking off top 5 finishes. Soon, however, engine failures, rear-end failures, and some unavoidable accidents took their toll on the team.

The year 2012, Walker states on his website, started out with a bang, as he won the final night of speedweeks at BRP alongside of Danny Lasoski picking up the checkers the same night. He went on to win five more races after that.

For 2013, Walker is looking at another fabulous season winning two Winternationals at BRP so far in his career. You can see the Feb. 16 race on Youtube at http://youtu.be/Eo0qOHMCjK8.

“Once he got to the front he never looked back,” his mom said.

Walker’s goal is to take his dream as far as God will allow him. He believes that without God, nothing is possible. With that being said, his ultimate goal is Sprint Cup, he said, but the World of Outlaws or Nationwide wouldn’t be bad either.

“I can do all things through Christ whom strengthens me,” said Walker.

Walker wishes to thank his 2013 sponsors Danny Lasoski, his mentor, J.D. Criswell, Champion Race Helmets, ASW Performance, O'Neal Construction, Honeycutt Auto Mart, B & B Auto, Hamlin's Auto Parts, Walker Farms, Suwannee Salvage, North Florida Animal Rescue, Durden Motorsports, Henderson Lawn Care, Byrd's Power Equipment, Willco Graphics, Takedown Outdoors, Mayo Auto Parts, JDB/TLB Motorsports and Fabrication, Mayo Fertilizer.

“I would also like to thank everyone who voted for me in Search for a Champion,” Walker said. “It means a lot.”

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