Young drivers balance their youth with maturity (cont'd)

The racing scene; traveling around the country every weekend with men three times your age and trading after-school specials for Saturday-night specials has a way of speeding up the maturation process.

It's almost as if young racers age in dog years. Meaning, if Truck Series driver James Buescher is 20 that would actually make him 27, and to be honest, that's seemingly more age appropriate for the institution of marriage.

“

I've received more sponsorship and opportunities by not showing my youth.

”

-- TREVOR BAYNE

"I do feel older than 20," said Buescher, who is engaged to Kris Turner, daughter of Steve Turner who co-owns Buescher's race team, Turner Motorsports.

Buescher has taken his fair share of gripes this season -- dodging critics on and off the track -- but he doesn't take it personally. He has admitted mistakes but said it is counterproductive to wreck someone in retaliation or intentionally.

"I try to be the bigger man and go on to the next race," he said. "Really there isn't any sense for wrecking each other every week because we could just go race demolition derby instead of NASCAR and not spend as much money."

What about Trevor Bayne? Just 19, the southern charmer was wearing slacks and a white shirt to race tracks while his young counterparts were still tearing holes in their Huskies.

And before he tears into a rage after a wreck or racing incident, he stops and relies on faith.

"I mean some of these drivers are in my small group Bible study," Bayne laughed. "You have to go back to those WWJD [What would Jesus do] bracelets if you know what I mean."

His maturity has taken him a long way in reaching his goal to compete in NASCAR's big leagues.

"I've received more sponsorship and opportunities by not showing my youth," Bayne said. "When I got wrecked leading a race once, Pat Suhy [GM Racing NASCAR Group Manager] said he liked how I composed myself and he took me to Dale Earnhardt Inc."

That kick-started his NASCAR career.

"It has paid more to keep my cool than showing my butt," he said. "That doesn't mean I haven't had a couple hand prints on it growing up for acting like a child."

Yes, these young men still find ways to hold on to their youth.

For Dillon, it's college and the occasional dance club. He's come a long way from the days of being sheepish boy in braces to a pretty skilled flirt.

And for the record, you can listen to Dillon despite his mere 20 years in the world. Dillon is a communication major at High Point University and in real life lessons, he's studied under the best.

"I've watched my grandfather for years, how he handles life and racing on and off the track," Dillon said. "I feel fortunate to have grown up in the sport and I make a point to stick close to my family and the friends I trust, try to stay out of the drama."

That's not to say he disagrees with Logano's way of handling business Sunday after the Joe Gibbs Racing driver went looking to confront Harvick on pit road at Pocono Raceway.

"When you do that, you have to be ready to back it up. You'll have haters either way you look at it in the end because whatever you do you're going to be scrutinized but I'd express myself and my feelings if I felt someone raced me the wrong way. You have to remember the world is round and everything comes back around."

Eloquently put by a 20-year-old, the same 20-year-old balancing campus life with professional racing, the same 20-year-old who recently purchased his own home, the same 20-year-old who so far does a great job of balancing his youth with the maturity required in big time auto racing.

So don't dismiss his maturity level or any other young drivers because of age; it's just a number.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer.

Related:
• Harvick, Logano continue feud between teams
• Firesuit remark evidence Logano has fire in his belly
• Video: Harvick, Logano get together