BY REBECCA RICHARDS
-KARNAC.com

I had heard about Florida's star racer, B.J.McLeod, read about him, but until April 1, for Thursday Night Thunder at Charlotte County Speedway, I had never had the opportunity to see this young hotshoe in action and I was ready to see what all the hype was about.

I was, as his Agent, Jay Schulthess put it,"speechless" by his performance and he didn't win. He placed 5th. It was his skill and style that was impressive to me. The race was full of action yet I couldn't help finding my eyes drawn to B.J.'s car. Watching his plan unfold was like watching the strategy of a chess game.

At the end of the race, 100 laps later, B.J. McLeod bounced out of his car to say a "few" words like he could go another 100 laps! (Talking with him later I would learn this to be an accurate assumption on my part.)

B.J.quickley thanked God, his parents, his sponsors and his friends and fans, and then the good natured ribbing amongst the racers began, "teasing B.J.about talking too much".

Every single racer in the front stretch were comrades to this young, energetic young man. B.J. is respected and liked. The fans were roaring their approval.

Talent, ambition, determination, attitude, confidence, B.J. McLeod of Wachula, FL has it. And his Agent, Jay Schulthess of Mercury Sports Management, INC isn't the only one who sees the qualities of a fine Nextel Cup driver in B.J. Two owners in Richmond with Winston Cup ties want to meet with B.J. in May, according to Schulthess.

"He's not like anyone I've ever seen, "said Schulthess, continuing,"He always finds the positives, and he's got everything a race team is looking for."



B.J. McLeod has been keeping his fans thrilled since he was knee high racing 4 wheelers at the age of three and by eight he mastered all kart classes through eighteen years of age!
B.J.'s stunning accomplishments include, racing Late Models at 12 years of age, and was approved and allowed to qualify for an American Speed Association race on July 11th, 1997.

B.J. became the youngest driver ever to win a Super Late Model race on August 15th 1997.

October 18th, 1997 he became the youngest driver ever to qualify for a major sanctioned race. He finished 18th in the ASA race at Kinley, North Carolina out of a field of 32 cars.

B.J. attended the Buck Baker Driving School which included a filming for ESPN Scholastic Sports America in April 1998.

B.J.won the track Late Model Championship at Orlando Speedworld (3/8 mile) and New Smyrna Speedway (1/2 mile) in 1998 at 14 years of age.

In 1999 B.J. claimed the Southern All Stars Rookie of the Year title, coming in second in points.

B.J. has continued to race and does very well, consistently placing in the top spots or if Lady Luck passes by, he breaks and heads to the pits. He is well aware of what it takes to keep a front runing car just that.

B.J. McLeod works in the garage every evening except on race nights concentrating on how to make things better on the car. That's B.J. Always thinking. On the track or off...B.J. thinks about racing, how to improve himself and the car. Then he does it.

B.J. works on himself physically by working out every evening. He can bench press 360 pounds...that's amazing as B.J. isn't a real big guy himself.

As we stood talking many people came up and gave B.J. hugs, and back pats, and hearty congrats.

B.J. had done well considering he had the wrong set ups, lost his brakes at the end and a couple of other mechanical ailments, yet B.J. was still smiling, ready to come back to Charlotte County and do it all over again.

"It was fun! I hope LeRoy does this 100 lapper more often. This works out perfect with our schedule.," laughed B.J. He said, "I know what we did wrong and the next time we come back, we'll be faster." It wasn't said with arrogance, it was said with confidence.

When talking about his future plans, B.J. has no intention of giving up on a Cup ride.
B.J. said,"I am ready for a shot in a really good car (in the Cup series). I need to know if I have what it takes to make a career out of it. (racing)"

I think the late Pete Orr, former Busch Grand National driver said it best,"B.J. has a lot of natural talent and ability.....He's raced against guys like myself who have 20 years in the business. He has a bright future."

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