"He seems to have a lot of natural ability, but he also has drive and desire, and you can't teach that. You have to have those qualities in order to achieve and to excel."
Headley calls places like his speedway, which he said was built in the 1960s by a father for his children's use, "the grass roots of racing."
The Baltimore Grand Prix returns to the city for its second running Sept. 2, and "most of those drivers cut their teeth on karting, drivers like Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and Danica Patrick," Headley said. Some of them even attended divisional races at Sandy Hook "way back then," he said.
Six national karting champions have come out of the state over the past two years, he added, proving that "Maryland represents very well on the national scene."
"It's a hobby, but drivers take it seriously, and they are very, very competitive," Headley said.
As for Zac, he and his parents believe he will stay connected in some way to racing from now on. The Fowlers even have their sights set on moving in the next several years to Mooresville, N.C., which isknown as "Race City, USA" because it is home to NASCAR racing teams, drivers and suppliers.
The young driver said he started with two dreams: to appear on TV and to be interviewed by a newspaper. With those two notches now in his belt, he's looking way into the future.
"I know I'll be a racer or an announcer or a flagman someday," he said. "I just love racing."
