Buckle up, because we’re about to put the spotlight on some of our most interesting (and maybe slightly crazy) drivers! From tire-screeching legends to the rookies who still can’t figure out the brake pedal, we’re here to give you the inside scoop on who’s tearing up the track. Get ready for some laughs, some racing tips (maybe), and a peek into the personalities that make our league the place to be. Let’s see who’s behind the wheel and dive into the minds of the drivers and see what really fuels their need for speed.
X: https://x.com/Racer_RL
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@racer_RL
Where are you from, and what do you do for a living?
I grew up in South Carolina and I currently live in Valencia, Pennsylvania. I just got out of the US Army, and I am now a Field Service Technician for the largest printer company in the US.
Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of sim racing?
I am a big gaming fan in general. I have been playing a ton of the new Civilization VII recently. I also enjoy working on, modifying, and driving my BRZ as well.
What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you?
I am an aviation and drone aficionado. I have been fully trained on everything from handheld drones to drones the size of regular planes. I am also currently working on getting my Private Pilot’s License.
What got you into sim racing, and how long have you been racing?
I adored watching racing from a young age. I played a lot of NASCAR Thunder 2003 and Gran Turismo 3 on my PS2. I really dove into competitive sim racing in 2015, including league racing on Gran Turismo and the GT Academy. In 2020 I made the jump over to iRacing and haven’t looked back since.
Do you have any real-life racing experience, or is sim racing your main focus?
Sadly, I have no real-life experience, so sim racing is my main focus. I would love to race in real-life if I ever get the chance.
Do you have a favorite car or track to race on?
My favorite oval is Charlotte, and my favorite road course would have to be Tsukuba.
What inspired you to join this online racing league?
I am always looking for new and better leagues to run. As part of Major Garage, we were encouraged to join CJR.
Do you have a particular racing style (aggressive, strategic, defensive)?
I would put myself between aggressive and strategic. I can put it all out there if I need to, but I also love to toss strategy around when the chance arises.
Are there any real-life drivers or teams that influence your approach to racing?
I would say that a lot of my style comes from watching Jeff Gordon when I was younger. He had that aggressiveness, when necessary, but the strategy in the late stages with smart pit stops, two tire stops, etc., was also in play.
What has been your most memorable race or moment in the league?
I am relatively new to the league, so the most memorable would have to be this week’s race at COTA in the TCSPDS. The practice and setup tuning paid off and it was an absolute blast!
Have you won any championships or notable races in the league?
Gonna have to say COTA again, finally got to finish a race and I put it in Victory Lane. With the playoff lock, now just gotta do the work later in the season and see if we can make a fight for the championship.
What do you think makes this league special compared to others?
For CJR, it would definitely have to be the professionalism and quality of the league as a whole. I haven’t had any other league with a website, news posts, and consistent quality streams like I have seen here.
What kind of equipment do you use (wheel, pedals, rig, etc.)?
I use a Fanatec CSL GT DD Pro with a Clubsport Red Bull Racing 2024 Formula wheel. I pair those with a set of Clubsport V3 pedals, all of which is installed on a Playseat Trophy rig. And to top it all off, I race in VR with a Samsung Odyssey+ headset.
What’s your pre-race routine or superstition?
I have a little simple routine, just gotta make sure to hit the bathroom first, top off my water, and get some practice in for the race to come.
If you could race on any real-world track, which one would it be and why?
I would love to race on Tsukuba, I fell in love with it on GT4 and have watched a lot of videos of real-life racing there. Feel like it would be a blast to whip around.
What is your favorite track to go to or that you want to go to?
Charlotte, the only NASCAR race I have been able to go to was there, and I would love to watch NASCAR there again.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to new racers joining the league?
Practice, practice, practice. Even if your setup is not as fast, consistency and staying clean will get you results.
Do your friends and family support your racing hobby?
Yes, I send the stream links for any races I am in, and my family watches it on the living room TV every week.
Have you ever introduced someone else to sim racing?
I have had a few friends in the Army who became interested after seeing my setup. I even gave one of them my old setup, and he has kept racing and even upgraded to newer equipment!
How do you balance racing with work, family, or other responsibilities?
Racing mainly just later in the afternoon or at night.
Would you rather be the fastest on the track but always get caught up in accidents, or be the king of consistency and finish every race in the top 5, but never first place?
Definitely the king of consistency. In one of my other leagues, I am the only driver to have made playoffs back-to-back without logging a win and I am currently on track to make it 3 in a row. Sometimes you just gotta stay alive and be there when the checkered flag flies.
Think you’ve got what it takes to be in the next Driver Spotlight? Fill out this form to have a chance to be selected! Whether you’re a racing pro or just really good at pretending to be one, we want to hear from you!