Davis wants to be known as driver, not black driver (cont'd)

Outside of the race shop, Davis maintains a normal teenage existence. He goes to movies with his friends, plays video games and crams for history exams.

Yet few teens at his school are earning sizeable salaries or drive two cars: a 2002 Audi A4 with 19-inch Rial rims and a 1995 Honda Accord.

That said, most would agree the kid has earned the right to indulge in a few material items. He's been racing for more than a decade averaging 26 race weekends a year, his father said.

NASCAR's 36-race circuit should be a natural progression.

A progression into the sport's big leagues is expected as soon as Davis turns 18, the legal age a driver can compete in the NASCAR Busch or Cup series.

For now, Davis is focused on "making his marks" and perfecting his craft on the track.

This weekend, he's excited to race in a companion event, share garage space and a fan base with the Cup drivers he looks up to -- drivers he hopes to race side by side with, namely Denny Hamlin and Tony Stewart.

"I'll be talking to them," Davis said. "They help me out, give me tips."

Marc Davis Factoids

• His car number, the No. 92, is the jersey number of NFL player Reggie White, who before his death wanted to be a team owner and partnered with Joe Gibbs. Gibbs is the coach of the NFL's Washington Redskins.

• His car this weekend is a short-track, hand-me-down Cup car Tony Stewart drove in Richmond.

• His first race was on a BMX bike at age 6.

• His race in the NASCAR Grand National West Series Thursday will be dedicated to the late Joie Ray Jr., a black pioneer in motorsports who started racing in 1947.