DARLINGTON - Trent Wyssbrod spent many a summer night changing tires and learning about engines while working on his uncle Roger Trame's race car.
All the while, Wyssbrod dreamed about his opportunity to get behind the wheel.
"I have always wanted to race," said Wyssbrod, 17. "I have been around racing most of my life. I enjoy all the adrenaline that goes through your body and the competition."
The adrenaline was flowing on Saturday, when Wyssbrod made his debut in the Sport Modified Division at Lafayette County Speedway. The Monroe High School junior finished 11th among 12 cars.
"I was looking forward to it, but I was nervous, too," Wyssbrod said of his racing debut. "It was nerve-wracking, but I had some friends in the pits joking around to keep my mind off of it so I could just have fun with it."
Wyssbrod's father, Ernie Wyssbrod Jr., drove for several years at the Freeport Raceway Park and Trame still races.
Trent Wyssbrod's quest to race took a major step forward when Trame gave him a race car frame for Christmas.
"I was really surprised," Wyssbrod said. "I thought it was a joke."
Trame and Wyssbrod went to auctions to buy an engine, engine parts, headers and gauges.
Wyssbrod then secured several sponsors, including Jelle Towing, E&N Hughes, Town Edge Restaurant, Monroe Power Sports, Tri-County Dairy, Green County Repair, Hesgard Collision Center, Rent It, RTG Racing and Keegan Flooring.
"Without them helping me, I wouldn't have enough money to get all the parts," said Wyssbrod, who also is playing baseball this spring at Monroe.
Even though he's a rookie, Wyssbrod said the other drivers have been accepting and have treated him well. He's looking to make an immediate impact at the track.
"I'm trying to win no matter who I'm racing against," Wyssbrod said. "I will get to the top sooner or later."
Wyssbrod said he has a dependable group as his pit crew, including his father, Chad Martin, Ryan Hughes, Lane Berndt and Tommy Wood.
Wyssbrod doesn't have any fears about his car breaking down.
"I believe they can fix about anything," he said.
All the while, Wyssbrod dreamed about his opportunity to get behind the wheel.
"I have always wanted to race," said Wyssbrod, 17. "I have been around racing most of my life. I enjoy all the adrenaline that goes through your body and the competition."
The adrenaline was flowing on Saturday, when Wyssbrod made his debut in the Sport Modified Division at Lafayette County Speedway. The Monroe High School junior finished 11th among 12 cars.
"I was looking forward to it, but I was nervous, too," Wyssbrod said of his racing debut. "It was nerve-wracking, but I had some friends in the pits joking around to keep my mind off of it so I could just have fun with it."
Wyssbrod's father, Ernie Wyssbrod Jr., drove for several years at the Freeport Raceway Park and Trame still races.
Trent Wyssbrod's quest to race took a major step forward when Trame gave him a race car frame for Christmas.
"I was really surprised," Wyssbrod said. "I thought it was a joke."
Trame and Wyssbrod went to auctions to buy an engine, engine parts, headers and gauges.
Wyssbrod then secured several sponsors, including Jelle Towing, E&N Hughes, Town Edge Restaurant, Monroe Power Sports, Tri-County Dairy, Green County Repair, Hesgard Collision Center, Rent It, RTG Racing and Keegan Flooring.
"Without them helping me, I wouldn't have enough money to get all the parts," said Wyssbrod, who also is playing baseball this spring at Monroe.
Even though he's a rookie, Wyssbrod said the other drivers have been accepting and have treated him well. He's looking to make an immediate impact at the track.
"I'm trying to win no matter who I'm racing against," Wyssbrod said. "I will get to the top sooner or later."
Wyssbrod said he has a dependable group as his pit crew, including his father, Chad Martin, Ryan Hughes, Lane Berndt and Tommy Wood.
Wyssbrod doesn't have any fears about his car breaking down.
"I believe they can fix about anything," he said.
