All great athletes have to start somewhere.

Grant Galloway from Lakeville hopes one day when he's a NASCAR star, he can look back and say he got his start racing cars in Plymouth when he was 9 years old.

"I went to South Bend Motor Speedway every Friday night and I saw those guys out there and I was determined that I was going to be one of them guys one night," says Grant. "I saw that and I was like, I'm going to do that one day."

That day is today, as Grant Galloway, now 15, gets ready to race.

His dad is right by his side, giving his son just the push he needs to pursue his dream.

"It's nerve wracking at that point, it's like here we go. Let's see if it's going to all work out,” says Todd Galloway, Grant’s dad. “So, it's cool, though, to be the last person that sees him when you send him off."

"We always have a prayer before he takes off. And we always tell each other that we love each other,” says Todd. “Cause you never know. And then, ah, good luck."

"Once you first step into the cars, it's a thriller,” says Grant. “You don't realize it right away, but once it hits you, you're going crazy fast."

Grant has grown up crazy fast, from winning his first race when he was only 9-years-old.

"I've always had a need for speed,” says Grant.

Speaking of gaining speed, Grant's career may be about to take off. Grant is one of only 12 drivers from around the world handpicked by racing legend Richard Petty for a prestigious training camp and competition for aspiring drivers.

"This is probably the biggest deal of my life,” says Grant. “It's my first opportunity to go professional. It's with the best driver in NASCAR. He's the king of motor sports."

Of all the drivers in Petty’s camp, the oldest is 39-years-old and the youngest one is Grant. He isn't old enough to drink, buy a lotto ticket, or in fact, even drive. But here, the rules of the road, and the rearing for the rush are different.

"Very proud,” says Todd. “If he doesn't make it, at least when he gets to be our age, he will have at least chased his dream."

"Don't give up,” says Grant. “Opportunities always come and that's the way you've got to keep pushing on, pushing on with things."

The training camp got underway Monday, and Grant will continue competing through Thursday night.

You can learn more about Richard Petty's driver search by clicking on the Big Red Bar.