Timothy Peters currently pilots the No. 4 Motorsports Dodge in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. In his sophmore season with Bobby Hamilton Racing, Peters has one Top-10 finish and six Top-15 finishes. On his 26th birthday he gives an inside look at his life as a NCTS driver.    
 
Was your rookie season last year more challenging than this year or is it the other way around? This season is more challenging by far. When you are a rookie you deal with a lot of firsts. It’s your first trip to several race tracks, your first time to deal with media and sponsors. This time around I have experience and the expectation level of Timothy Peters is greater. I cannot say “I am a rookie” like I could last year. Now, I am just like everyone else and the expectation level is a lot higher! 

 What are your thoughts on the 2006 season so far? To be honest the start of the season was a little rocky.  Ever since we hit the halfway mark things have been a lot better. In fact, they have been 100 percent better and our on track performance is proving that.  

 Has your boss, Bobby Hamilton's battle with cancer affected you as a driver this season? It has made me dig harder. I want to win for him so bad and it just kills me to see him going through this. It is very easy to get frustrated on the track when things are not going your way and several times this year I caught myself getting down and then I would think of Bobby. He is a huge motivation for me.

  Sometimes the passion to perform can get the best of us. How do you handle the pressure on the race track? It’s definitely a learning process.  But when I flip the switch to fire the engine all the anxiety and pressure goes out the window.  It’s almost immediate. What lies ahead of me then is between me, the race track and 35 other competitors. And I have unbelievable peace about that. 

 Rumor has it you and Hamilton can rap pretty well together. Is rap your favorite type of music?  I guess it shows my young age, but I love Rap and R&B.  A lot of people know Bobby can sing, but he can rap too. He is really good at it. I am ready for him to get back so we can start rapping again and just goofing off. He has missed out on some great songs this summer.

 Do you have any pre-race rituals? I don’t eat anything special or listen to any certain music before a race.  I am normally very laid back.  I do always say my prayers right before we start the engines. It’s something I have been doing for a long time. I know I need God on my side when I take the green flag.  

 What are your hobbies outside of racing? Racing does not leave time for too many hobbies, but I do enjoy fishing. I also like going out on the lake and just relax. 

 If you weren’t racing what would you be doing? I would be involved in some form of racing. If I couldn't drive then I would be a crew chief or something. I can’t imagine doing anything else.

 What was your first car?It was a 1991 GT Mustang. It was PHAT. It had some kick tail rims. I really miss that car.

 Manufactures aside, do you have a dream car? I would have to say a 1967 Camaro. Maybe someday I can have one of them . In my garage. 

 If you could own a house anywhere in the Country where would it be?  It would be on the lake in North Carolina. But I did not specify what lake that would be!

 What does success mean to Timothy Peters? Hard work. Sometimes you can give your all and still not end up with what you wanted, but if you did the best you could then it was a success.  

 If you could win at one race track where would it be and why? That’s easy. It would be Martinsville hands down. It is my home track and I have had success there. And they have one of the best trophies around. I already have one grandfather clock for my late model win in 2005, but I sure could use another one.

 You Turn 26 this week. What is the one piece of advice you would give to someone younger than you? Never Give Up. No matter what your dream is in life never quit wanting it. For some of us our dreams take longer than others, but they will come true when the timing is just right.