Name and Age- My Name is Mary Beth Hicks and I’m 19 years old.
How long have you been racing and in what classes have you raced? I’ve been racing for four years and I’ve raced in young guns, fwd, stock 4, and renegade.
Does anyone else in your family race? If so when and where did or do they race? I was the first one in my family to race, my uncle tried it out for a little while after I started but it wasn’t really his thing.
What school do you go to, what grade are you in and what town do you live in? I am a sophomore at Lander University where I am studying to be a high school history teacher, and I live in Ware Shoals.
Who is your favorite local driver? Casey Roberts.
Who is your favorite national driver? Kasey Kahne or Carl Edwards
Which local track do you consider your home track and what other tracks do you visit? My home track was Mileback. I’ve also raced at Lavonia, Hartwell, Harris, Travelers Rest, Gaffney, Buffalo and Westminster.
What do you do besides race for fun? I teach dance, sing in a praise band and hang out with my family and friends
What is your favorite track in the whole US? Mileback, or Lavonia
Do you plan on continuing to race and if so what division would you like to eventually be in? Yes and I want to race late models but I would also love the chance to run open wheel modified.
Do you work on your car, have a crew or both? Both
Do you have anyone you would like to thank for their support or help in any way? Yes Will McGrew and his family, Tim Leonard and his family, Robbie and Misty, Chick-fil-a of greenwood, my fans, and all the helpful people all over that want to help. But most of all God, my daddy and my little brother and sister without them I wouldn’t even make it to the track.
How long after realizing you wanted to race did it take you to get your car on the track? I watched racing for half a season and the next season I had my first race car. Once I convinced everyone I was serious about racing it took no time at all.
How nervous were you the first time you came onto the dirt track for a race and does it get easier every time? I had butterflies like crazy the first time I sat down in my car, but a very wise old race car driver told me that meant I was in the right frame of mind to drive. My butterflies have not gone away but it is a good thing because I know that means I still have faith that I can win, I guess it has gotten a little easier just because I know what is coming. The day I stop having butterflies is the day I’ll start to worry.
Have you had an instance yet that scared you while in a race? Nothing about racing scares me, I did flip my car once and that was scary for a moment but then I realize it was just like a rollercoaster. I think that wreck made me into a better driver.
What would you tell anyone who wanted to start racing? If it is your dream then chase it, and don’t let anyone stand in your way. And there is always going to be bad nights, bad months, even a bad year maybe but don’t let that get you down…every dog has its day.
Do you think racing has changed over the years? If so, how and in what direction? Sadly I’ve only been going to race tracks for a little less than five years so I can’t say if it has changed that much. Sometimes I do believe there is more emphasis on the money you make now than on racing itself, but that could just be a difference in where I started watching races and where I go to now.
