Greg Goins Sportsman Class Rookie of the Year
Greg Goins left the football field at Claiborne High School not knowing what his athletic future would hold. He soon realized that he wanted to follow in both grandfather’s shoes as both were involved in dirt racing. Goins always held a love for dirt racing and finally was given the chance to build and race a dirt late model around the high banks of Tazewell Speedway.
His 2021 season had ups and downs, but he finished his inaugural racing season fulfilling a promise made to both his grandfathers: Tazewell Speedway Sportsman Class Rookie of the Year. It took many hours to build and prepare the 2008 Stinger each week and he needed a crew. Rodney Brantley and Aaron “Rass” Campbell along with Trent Cooper and Wesley Brooks have been there for him from the start. A ton of technical support have been given to him by fellow racers Austin Neely and Clyde Overholt.
Goins said, “All those people have been there for me. Austin gave me great advice through the year as did Clyde, I look up to them a lot.”
Goins spoke about that hard work paying off, “I wanted to be Rookie of the Year and finish in the top three in points. We were running in third place and had a bad race. We finished fourth.”
When asked what he learned during the 2021 season he said this, “I learned it was a lot more difficult than I thought. Getting into that race car at the Taz was a phenomenal experience and I learned patience and how to set up the car.” Goins added, “I had to keep my head from getting to me, I had to not let the anxiety of racing bother me. It seemed like when things went wrong, I kept feeling like what else can go wrong. I had to get over that.”
Towards the end of the year, he got his best finish, sixth place. He drove his car through all the bad luck and had his best run on a double points night.
“The car just came to life that night and I had fun driving it near the front,” Goins said.
Since his first year is completed, Greg’s new advice to the racers just starting is, “Have your heart in it and don’t let anyone hold you back. If you love it the desire will be to spend more money on racing the next season.”
Goins has several sponsors helping him prepare his new 2011 Rayburn financially for the second season including Horticulture Lighting Group, Powerhouse Diesel, Southland Realty & Tyler Moyers, Knoxbox Inc., Clyde Overholt Racing, Body Construction Fitness, Uncle Cams Custom Welding, Dyers Flooring and Walker and Walker Construction.
When asked how racing compares to high school football Goins said, “Racing a dirt car compared to playing football; both have a huge adrenaline rush. Whether you’re strapping in or putting your helmet on your heart starts pounding and you’re nervous. Every time I took the field, I was nervous but ready to run the football. Every time I get on the track I’m just as nervous and ready to hit the throttle and fight my way through the field of cars.”
Fellow driver Austin Neely offered this quote on Greg, “I think he had a great year! He is a great young man and willing to learn and put the work in to succeed in this sport. Which is what it takes to be successful. I’m really glad to have had a small part in his first year and think he will have an even better sophomore year.”
When on the starting grid, Goins looks through the retaining fence at all the people and is very thankful, “I couldn’t do this without all those helping me, all those fans in the stands, I can’t let myself ever forget that we have all been one of those kids waving at the drivers.”
Photo supplied by Greg Goins
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