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Drake Troutman, driver for the Team 22 race team owned by G.R. Smith (known as the equivalent of Hendrick Motorsports in dirt racing), is one of the hottest shoes in dirt racing running over 140 races in the 2025 season including the Real American Beer World of Outlaws Late Model Series and numerous other dirt series around the country. Drake comes off a winner this past weekend landing in victory lane winning the Real American Beer World of Outlaws Late Model Series event at I-55 Speedway in Pevely, MO, and currently sits 4th in points. In 2024, Drake had 21 wins in 9 different states in over 120 events all across the country. At 20 years old, Drake knows that it takes a certain kind of person in this game of dirt racing. He knows that his life consists of working on the car and racing the car – that’s it. It is endless hours to make sure your race car is as good as it can be, traveling up and down the road, having family and friends that support you, and to have a group of amazing sponsors and a team owner who is dedicated to providing an opportunity of a lifetime.
INSPIRATIONS
His father and grandfather who were also dirt racers.
CHALLENGE
Losing his father who died at the young age of 39 when Drake was only 16 – his Dad said to “keep racing”
SPECIAL AUTOMOBILE
The family race hauler.
RECOMMENDED READING OR VIEWING
Drake believes in learning things from your own mistakes by doing; he generally doesn’t have time to read or watch TV as he is always working on this race car.
WORDS OF INSPIRATION
Do it yourself – It’s the best way to learn.
Surround yourself with people who have your best interest in mind and who support you not just in the good times, but the bad times – those are the real people.
WHERE TO FIND DRAKE
Drake Troutman Racing on Facebook
G. R. Smith Motorsports on Facebook
Streaming on DirtVision.com: Watch Drake compete in the Real American Beer World of Outlaws Late Model Series events
SHARE THE INSPIRATION
If you enjoyed this show, please go to Apple Podcast and leave me a five-star review. That would help tremendously in getting the word out and help others to be inspired by Cars Yeah. * indicates a past Cars Yeah guest.
We met Drake and his family at Bedford speedway at the 1st D J Troutman memorial
What a great family and team. He is a great person and driver. We always watch him race.
This was a fantastic interview! I’m his very proud mother and you touched every part of Drakes life to really know about him. Absolutely wonderful!