News Director 
Column By: MORGAN DAVIS / RPW – BALLSTON SPA, NY – Race day. It’s a very special day that we all look forward to. It’s also a day, that family and friends are able to set aside their differences, and come together at the track.
If you ask any driver who their number one fan is, chances are they’ll mention their relatives. But if these people didn’t offer their endless support to their favorite driver, then there would be nothing to fuel a driver’s passion.
For some drivers, racing is all they’ve ever known thanks to their families’ substantial involvement. Take Max McLaughlin for example, son of former NASCAR star Mike McLaughlin. “That’s all we know as a family,” Max said. “It’s what my family and I love to do. If I wasn’t racing, I don’t know what I would do.” Max says that everyone from his parents, to his cousins join him on his journey to fame, and support him every step of the way.
But in order to be a true fan, you have to support your driver on their bad nights, not just their good ones. There will always be nights where bad luck is the one to blame and it may seem like the best option is to give up. Nevertheless, no matter how bad the night, how destroyed the car is, family will always be there to pick up their driver when things get tough.
For instance, take sportsman driver Connor Cleveland. He’s shown his success in a car throughout the years, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t hit a bump in the road along the way. Despite the bad nights, his parents and crew offer their support no matter what. “The downs have showed us that if we come together as a family and really work hard for what we want, we can achieve it.” Connor said. “And the ups have taught us to cherish these moments together, because not everyone is this fortunate.”
Winning is a combination of many factors. You have to have the best equipment, the right set up and luck has to be in your favor. And although winning is one of the greatest feelings in the world, there’s no better feeling than standing in victory lane surrounded by the people who got you there.
Supporting your driver can be hard sometimes. You’ll feel discouraged, worried, angry and excited all in the same night. Still, you need to remember that your love and support is what they thrive off of. It’s amazing to see the impact racing has on a family. A driver’s passion blossoms from the soil of their families’ unbreakable bond. And luckily for us, that bond is established by the sport of racing, and the unconditional love we have for it.
