Local Driver, Owner Speed Down the Fast Track of Success

The 21-year-old is a mechanic by day, and a race car driver by night. McCaskill began his ascent up the racing ladder in the Triangle, and he is still climbing.

"I started my first full season at 13," McCaskill said. "I won my first race that season out at Wake County Speedway."

McCaskill actually began racing before turning 13 years old, topping 80 miles an hour in his first race.

"He started 26th that night and I think he finished in 10th or 9th or something like that in his first race," says Boyce McCaskill, Deac's father. "I'm not going to say I wasn't frightened."

The only concern McCaskill's parents have now is if Deac fails to steer his way into stock car racing's higher ranks. Over the years they have invested more than $100,000 in Deac's racing career.

"I would equate it to someone who's putting their child through for a doctor or a lawyer," says Kay McCaskill, Deac's mother, "It's very expensive and it's very time consuming, and you do have to pay your dues."

Deac McCaskill has plans to make the pricey education pay off no matter how he finally finishes.

"If I can't get to driving one day, in the future, maybe I can just work on them for a living, serve as maybe a crew chief for somebody," McCaskill said.

Besides the Deac McCaskill's of the world who are trying to drive their way to theNASCARdream, there is the other side of the equation -- people who want to own a NASCAR team.

A stock car castle in Pittsboro will serve as the new headquarters of Premiere Motorsports. It is the crown jewel of Wake County businessman Steve Husketh's $3.5 million plunge into the competitive Busch Racing Circuit.

"It will work out," Husketh said. "I'll make it work out. You can depend on that."

Husketh already has his eye on the ultimate, Winston Cup races.

"You feel like when you've reached that level, that you've accomplished a lot that a lot of people can't accomplish," he said. "This business is a very driven business."

McCaskill's road to racing's upper echelon is not as high dollar, but much more high octane. A handful of teams on the Busch racing circuit have expressed at least an initial interest in him.

So far the Busch circuit has not been as kind to Steve Husketh. He has brought his car to about a half dozen races, but has failed to qualify.

Husketh is not concerned at all. He says it is just a matter of time before his team improves.