Jimmie Johnson drove 600 miles over Memorial Day weekend to win the Coca Cola 600 at Lowes Motor Speedway.
Meanwhile, Mike Mason and his Mason Motorsports team drove 2,470 miles in hopes that one day they might be in the winner’s circle at the Charlotte track.
Mason, 18, moved his racing operation from Bakersfield, CA to Huntersville, NC area over the Charlotte race weeks. Once settled in, the 2005 Bakersfield High School graduate will retool the team from a Late Model Stock Car operation to a full-fledged USAR Hooters Pro Cup team. The plan is test extensively before making his Pro Cup debut later this season.
Like most young drivers, Mason has his sights set on NASCAR someday.
“If I am going to have a shot, this is the time to do it,” said Mason. “I’m young and there are a lot of opportunities for good, young drivers in racing right now. But you have to make commitments and moving to the Charlotte area is one of them.”
Moving Mason Motorsports from one side of the country to the other proved to be a big event for the teenage driver.
“We needed three big rigs – 18 wheelers - and my pick up pulling a trailer to get it all moved,” said Mason. The team transporter was packed with all the shop supplies and the other two big rigs had cars, trailers, set up plates, you name it. My dad and two friends, Ralph Evenson and Jerry Banks, drove the big rigs while my crew chief, Rick Grissom and his family, were also with us. It was a great trip, but with that many trucks and people traveling together, it seemed like it took forever.”
You can’t fault Mason for being a little impatient. Waiting for him in North Carolina was a totally new life and career direction. In addition to working his way into the USAR Hooters Pro Cup ranks later this year, Mason will also begin college in the fall in the Charlotte area.
“I am really looking forward to the change of pace,” said Mason. “I know its going to be busy trying to advance my racing career while going to college, but we’ve been on fire here working out all the details of finishing high school, finding a place in North Carolina, getting accepted to college and moving the race team. It’s been a little overwhelming at times, so maybe just racing and school will be a little bit of a break.”
For more information on Mike Mason or to learn how to become a partner with Mason Motorsports, please log on to www.mason-motorsports.com.
