ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Dallas Troyer

The East County Observer and Bogey’s Restaurant and Sports Pub have teamed up to showcase the East County’s top athletes. Each recipient’s article will be featured on the restaurant’s wall.

After a summer of stock-car racing, 13-year-old Dallas Troyer has the most wins of any racer in the Magic 4s class at the Desoto Super Speedway. He placed first again last weekend, bringing his score to just three points behind the frontrunner. Here’s an inside look at this week’s Athlete of the Week.

You’ve won 11 of 18 races so far this season. What’s your secret for success?
Concentrating. I don’t let anything get to me, and if I do, I let it go by.

Where did you get your car?
From the junkyard. My uncle and my dad started figuring out motors for an Acura Integra 1992, which is what my car is, and found out what runs good in it.

At 13, you don’t have a driver’s license. How do you practice for your races?
I play (the computer game) “Eye Racing.” It’s a NASCAR game. You start at the bottom and work your way up. It helps a lot.

Do you have any race-day rituals or things you do for luck?
I carry money in my pocket. That’s a good-luck charm.

What do you like most about racing?
I like battling back and forth with other cars and having fun. I’m very competitive. I love the speed.

What is the fastest you’ve ever driven?
About 60 mph. We can only do the small track.

How did you get into racing?
My dad started drag racing, and then my mom. Then my brother started the circle track and I started from there with go-karts.

Besides racing, what do you like to do?
I don’t do anything besides race. I like to watch races.

Who is your favorite musician or music group?
I don’t really have one. I like all kinds of country music.