When I was growing up, motorsports wasn’t just a hobby. It was a passion, a calling, and eventually, a career. From the first time I threw a leg over a bicycle, to the thrill of my first go-kart race, to the countless hours spent perfecting my craft behind the wheel of a racecar, I knew this was where I belonged. What started as a childhood fascination turned into a lifetime of experiences, racing, coaching drivers, building winning racecars, mentoring through the NASA and even contributing as a columnist for Speed News magazine.
Through the years, I’ve been fortunate to form lasting friendships with many of the greatest legendary racers, each of them influencing my own path. As the executive director of the Unser Racing Museum, I had the privilege of preserving and sharing the incredible legacy of one of America’s greatest racing families. But perhaps the most rewarding part of this journey has been watching my own family follow in my tire tracks.
My son was no stranger to the track. As a young man, he climbed the motorsports ranks with dedication and skill, proving himself as a driver and a leader. Eventually he began his career with NASA, where he served in various capacities, including national event manager and assistant divisional director. In 2013, he took over leadership of the NASA Texas Region. Fostering significant growth during his tenure, he played a key role in shaping the future of grassroots racing. Since then he has moved on to new and exciting new pursuits and I couldn’t have been prouder watching him carve his own path in motorsports, not just as my son, but as a respected competitor and mentor in his own right.
But now, there’s a new chapter unfolding, one that has me looking even further down the road. My grandson, just 6 months old, is already showing signs of the same passion that has fueled our family for generations. Most babies at that age are barely sitting up, but here he is, balancing on his tiny bicycle with a confidence that makes me stop and dream.
I can’t help wondering what lies ahead for him? Will he find the same joy in speed, the same thrill in competition? Will he feel that magnetic pull toward a racetrack, just as I did, just as his father did? It’s too early to tell, of course, but watching him, I see the spark of possibility, and it reminds me of where my own journey began.
Thanks to NASA, motorsports is more than just driving fast. It’s about discipline, perseverance, and a deep respect for the craft. It’s about the friendships built in the paddock, the lessons learned from victory and defeat, and the sheer joy of pushing oneself to the limit. If my grandson chooses this path, he will have a wealth of experience and support behind him, just as I did. But more importantly, I want him to find his own passion, whether that’s behind the wheel or in an entirely different pursuit.
As I watch him grow, I’m reminded that racing isn’t just about the past or even the present. It’s about the future. It’s about passing down knowledge, encouragement, and a love for the sport to the next generation. Whether he becomes a racer or not, one thing is certain, he’s already begun his journey, and I’m honored to witness it.
The road ahead is unknown, but that’s what makes it exciting. Just as I once sat on my first bicycle, dreaming of the possibilities, I now look at my grandson and do the same. And that, perhaps, is the greatest part of the motorsports legacy. It never truly ends. It simply keeps moving forward, one generation at a time.
