6/3/2021
Brayden Goddard
Rookie Brayden Goddard opening eyes at Kingsport Speedway
JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. (June 3, 2021) – Brayden Goddard is still a year away from being able to make the trip down to the Tennessee Department of Motor Vehicles and get his driver’s license. Even though he can't legally drive on the street, the 15-year-old is behind the wheel and opening eyes racing in the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series at Kingsport Speedway competing as a rookie in the Limited Late Model division.
Goddard, from Jonesborough and who just finished his freshman year at Daniel Boone High School, had never raced before this season at Kingsport Speedway. But there was no doubt that someday he would drive a race car. Because after all, he had grown up around racetracks watching his grandpa, Royce Peters, and uncle, Austin Peters, drive stock cars at Kingsport Speedway and Lonesome Pine Raceway in Coeburn, Virginia.
"Being the third generation in my family to drive a race car, It's just an awesome deal," Goddard said last night while taking a break at the shop preparing the No. 38 Chevrolet with his grandpa, dad (Billy Goddard) and uncle, getting ready for this Friday (June 4) at Kingsport Speedway. "When I was a young boy, I told everybody that I wanted to be a race car driver. I had a driving uniform that I would wear to the track. I just wanted to be like grandpa Royce and uncle Austin. They first took a race car to Kingsport Speedway last summer to an open practice for me to run my first laps and man, I will admit that I was kind of intimidated when actually getting out on the track driving a full-bodied stock car. I didn't want to get up close to the outside wall.
"I guess I've kind of taken a different path to becoming a race car driver in that I never did race go-karts, motorcycles or ATVs. Like many others in my generation, I've spent a lot of time iRacing. It's very realistic and you can run at different short-tracks, and of course the big NASCAR tracks. You develop driving skills and understand about racing strategy competing against others. I'm very thankful for having the opportunities my family and sponsors have blessed me with in being able to live out my dream of driving a race car. I think it's pretty cool that I'm currently the only high school teenager in Washington County competing in the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series."
Goddard, with no previous racing experience heading into the season, set goals of hoping to finish on lead lap of every race and just gain valuable seat-time. So far, so good, with the mindset of finishing on the lead lap being accomplished through the first five races at the "Concrete Jungle" in the Model City. Goddard currently sits fourth in Limited Late Model point standings and has recorded two, fifth-place finishes.
"What people need to understand is, I'm a rookie - I mean I absolutely had no experience being on a racetrack," said a smiling Goddard. "We participated in some preseason practice sessions trying to get me ready, and that kind of helped getting me some laps driving the car. But that's not actual racing conditions, being on the track with several other cars. Something else to consider is at start of a race, cars are lined up side-by-side when the green flag waves. You've got to get in the gas and come up through (shift) the gears. I had never driven a car with a clutch and having to change gears. I reckon you could say I'm kind of learning how to race just by being strapped-in behind the wheel.
"In back of my mind I would love to be running up front with the veteran drivers competing for wins, but I'm realistic and see I'm racing against several guys that have many years of experience. And, you can't beat experience. Back in the race shop before first race of the season, I told everybody my goals were to try and run every lap of every race, just be on the track at end when the checkered flag waves. Because seat-time, that's what I need. It takes running laps to get comfortable driving a race car. The more laps you run, you're gaining experience. Through the first five races to start the season, we've managed to check off our list of me completing every lap in each race. As a rookie, I'm pleased with knowing I've been somewhat competitive and finished on the lead lap. So yeah, I guess you could maybe say I've kind of exceeded expectations."
With his grandpa, Royce and uncle, Austin his racing heroes as a boy growing up, nothing would make Brayden happier than to see all three generations competing together on the track.
"I would love to see my grandpa, uncle and myself be able to run in the same race," Goddard said. "Through the years in racing you've seen father-and-son competing in the same race, but how cool would it be to have three generations of a family on the track together? Grandpa Royce and Uncle Austin have kind of stepped aside to help me get started racing, but I know how much they both love racing and I'm just hopeful we can somehow pull it off at some point in time to where we all three can race together."
Royce Peters, owner of RPM Racing, has been behind the wheel of a race car off-and-on for right at 30 years. He's won many races and also has captured a few track championships during his career. Now overseeing the start of racing for his teenage grandson Brayden, Royce is pleased with what he's seeing on the track.
"I'm going to admit, having my grandson in a race car is a nerve-racking deal," said Peters. "Yeah, everybody has to start from the beginning in running your first race. I'm sure my father was nervous when I first started racing. I was nervous when my son Austin first got in a race car. And now the deal with my grandson Brayden in a race car, it's just something else. I was bundle of nerves the first race of the season. I guarantee you I was more nervous than Brayden was.
"Oh, I'm absolutely tickled to death having the opportunity to help Brayden live out his dream of racing. I'm a proud grandpa. He's really doing a good job, especially considering this is the first racing he's ever done. I'm trying to be a mentor to him, and he's got Austin and some other drivers at the track who talk with him giving advice. Some people ask me if I'm through racing, and I don't consider my driving days to be over. But right now complete focus is on Brayden and his racing."
Brayden Goddard Racing thanks everyone for their support on the No. 38 Chevrolet SS: Erickson Parsley Insurance, Premier Dental Arts, Rack Hunter Camo, Don Gray Rentals, J. Ross Painting, Randall Perry (RPM Photos), and RW Motorsports Communications.
With Brayden Goddard behind the wheel, Royce Peters serves as crew chief, with pit crew members Billy Goddard, Austin Peters and Eli Lewis. Brayden also thanks his mother, Brittany Goddard, and grandmother, Debbie Peters, His grandparents Ken and Karen Harris, his Great Grandmother Phylis Harris for being his biggest fans cheering him on every race night.
You can keep up with Brayden Goddard Racing via the website at www.BraydenGoddardRacing.com and on Facebook at BG Racing.
Brayden Goddard Racing is looking for marketing partners and should you be interested in getting on board with the team, contact Royce Peters at (423) 817-3183.
