A Pizza Delivery Boy's Big Dream

UPDATE: Dear friends, please do not donate to this page. I would like to sincerely thank all of those who have donated: Drew, Becki, Joey, Todd, Tommy, and Philip. It was so nice of you guys to donate. I mean, if you feel like donating, please feel free to do so, but if not, that's totally cool. I just thought this would be a good way to get my name out there. Becki, Tommy, Philip, Drew, Todd, and Joey--thank you so much for your donations. They will go toward my racing fund.

Hey, my friends! Since I was 11, it has been my dream and passion to become a NASCAR driver. I came close a few times, and I will detail that in a sec.

However, I care so much about my fans and sponsors that it's unreal. Every single fan (whether a fan of me or not) means the world to me, and I will do everything possible/work tirelessly to make my sponsor(s) pleased.

Right now, we're working on a deal for a Legends race car.  That would cost $13,000 to purhcase. As you may have seen by my videos (www.YouTube.com/JJacoby88), I already own the firesuit(s), shoes, and gloves necessary to go racing. Those are the main essentials, and all that's left over would be a few things with minor cost!

Here's a bit of a bio on me, and some of the stories on how I tried to make it into racing:

When I first really got into NASCAR (thanks to my mom), we didn't have enough funds to go racing. I would watch every race, every weekly show (there were about 17 different NASCAR/racing shows each week), and talk about NASCAR to all my friends.

I would race on the Xbox in order to get my racing fix, setting lap time records here and there on Project Gotham Racing.

I really wanted to race something NASCAR-related, though, and while watching those TV shows, I heard Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Martin Truex Jr. mentioning "sim" racing on TV.

I had to get into it, so I researched it and found out about it. My mom bought me my first PC wheel back in 2004, and I slowly started getting better.

I remember the first time I logged in to a server with Denny Hamlin (who had a reputation as being a great sim racer, but was not yet in NASCAR), and I said, "It is an honor to race the great Denny Hamlin!" He said, "Thanks!"

I kept racing and getting better, trying to get into Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s league. That was THE reason I started sim racing--to race with Mr. Dale and get noticed.

The first time I did race Dale, I beat him. He was using an alternate screenname. We had a great race at the virtual Michigan International Speedway.

Now, DMP, which was Dale Jr.'s league, was hosting a race with $1,000 to win. No one had ever said anything about anyone racing it actually being invited into the league, but my goal was to race my way in.

Most of the field was made up of DMP members, but I was one of the blessed ones to make it into to final starting grid.

One thing you should know about me is that I am a very picky eater (Domino's has changed that, as now I eat pasta, sandwiches, chicken wings, etc.) But back then, it was only chicken nuggets and fries.

Before this race, I told my parents, "Please, Mom and Dad. This is the biggest sim race of my career. Please don't come in until I am done with the race."

My parents never had a problem with interrupting me during races before. It didn't matter how small the race was; every race I ever ran, there were practically no interruptions.

It was coming down to less than 10 laps to go, and the final caution came out. I was running 4th--the highest-running non-DMP member.

Just as the restart was about to take place, my dad barged in and yelled in a panicky voice, "Jason!"

When I turned around, he had a full plate consisting of food I didn't eat.

I turned back around as the restart had taken place, and as I had heard "green flag!" from the spotter, I had mashed the gas without looking. I found myself sideways on the frontstretch. I locked up the tires to avoid spinning, and flat-spotted them. I fell back to 11th, right behind a DMP member. I passed him to finish 10th.

This whole time in my head, I had a feeling that DMP would take the top-two-finishing non-DMP members in the race. As fate would have it, I was third in that order. Also as expected (and no offense to those guys), the ones who made it had a short-lived term in DMP.

We'll go forward six months, and I finally made it into DMP. I had good runs, often running in the top-5 with DMP and sim racing's best. I remember racing with Denny Hamlin, and the win was a sure thing. However, my gearbox had a random failure just as we had two final cautions, and getting up through the gears was crucial. I ended up finishing third.

You know, one thing that stood out to me was driver interviews. I was always working on myself in this area, in order to provide the best interviews possible. I knew I had to do something different than be just another good sim racer. So, I pushed myself.

Guys, I've gone on fairly long about the stuff (sorry), but here was my big break:

Dale Jr. hired me to drive his #3 car online. I had stood out enough to where Dale saw it fit to put me in the #3 on his online JR Motorsports team.

There was just one problem, and I knew it, too--I wasn't disciplined enough. I spoke too foolishly at times, all while knowing, but not being able to control.

After running well for Jr., the league format changed, and drivers all became individual again (no teams).

Though it was common for me to beat Dale, Denny, Brad, AJ and the like, I wasn't what the league was looking for in a driver. I ended up being kicked from the league.

I should note, however, that it was a decision of the entire voting panel--not just Dale.

Dale was always super friendly to me, and understanding of what was happening. It was for my best, too.

However, shortly after being removed from the league, my grandpa put up the funds for a real race car. It should be noted that this race car was one of the slowest you could find--I mean, hopping both front tires off the ground if you hit a rut in the track, or tried to run the line everyone else was.

Yes, this was dirt track racing.

We had a good engine in the car; I mean, it was a great engine! But, the car was slow!

Not only was the setup off, but something was wrong in the gears. We had a 30-year dirt track veteran hop in the car, and he was going the same speed as me.

We couldn't figure out what was wrong. After all, the car had two shifters in it--both with thin wire and duct tape to grab onto.

Well, my buddy Cy hopped into the car and told me to put it into the gear on this gear stick, and not the other one. I hopped out there and they said, "Man, this boy can drive!"

"It looks like he's been driving for 30 years."

My grandpa said, "It brought a tear to my eye."

After four weeks of going to the track, Cy found the right gear we were supposed to run in.

Well, my fourth lap of turning hot laps, the driveshaft flew out, taking the rear end gear with it.

We missed the track for a couple weeks, then got the rear end gear put in.

However, it was the wrong rear end gear.

The car was slower than what it was before we found out what gear to put it in. In fact, when I'd get under a car to pass it, I'd mash the gas, and the engine would die.

My grandpa would say, "Mash the clutch!"

I'd say, "Grandpa, I did, but it just wouldn't go."

Even a great fan came up to me and said, "I know what it is. I've seen this happen before. When you get out with more cars, you're afraid to race."

The entire transmission went out one week, then the water pump the next, and we sold the car.

Even though I've had these somewhat "ups and downs," I realize that I am very fortunate through all of this. I've made it much further than so many who wish to race.

I need you guys now, though.

I bought a David Ragan firesuit last year.

David's dad, Ken, is in charge of the Legends program at Atlanta Motor Speedway. A friend racing Legends out there invited me to the track, and I decided to wear my David Ragan firesuit.

Mr. Ken saw the firesuit and offered me a free test in the Legends car. It went really, really well. I think the three phrases that stood out were:

"He was born to do this."

"He's a natural."

"Best first-time driver I've ever seen."

So, I went back to the track with my dad, and Mr. Ragan wants to see me in a car. We found out that it'll be $13,000 for a brand new Legends car.

Another friend offered me a completely professional and ready-to-race late model team opportunity for $65,000. This includes the car, engine, maintenance, hauling to the track, etc.

So, guys, if you can donate, saying that that would be greatly appreciated is an understatement. Racing is my life, and I hope you can contribute to making my dreams come true!

We'll put your name on the car, whatever it takes. I'm currently working on a reward program for those of you awesome folks who contribute a significant amount or greater.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart!