Engineering a dream: A freshman's drive toward a NASCAR career

If you ask Travis Braden if he has a Plan B in life, you won't get an answer. A freshman planning to study mechanical engineering at WVU, Braden is dead set on becoming a NASCAR legend.

If you ask Travis Braden if he has a Plan B in life, you won’t get an answer.

A freshman planning to study mechanical engineering at West Virginia University, Braden is dead set on becoming a NASCAR legend.

The 18-year-old Wheeling native is already on the right track. He was named the 2011 NASCAR Whelen All-American National Rookie of the Year and 2012 ARCA/CRA Super Series Rookie of the Year, an honor that allowed him the opportunity to drive on Daytona International Speedway in December 2012.

Although Braden is adamant about making it to the grand stage someday, only 43 drivers are selected for the starting line at each NASCAR Series race.

There’s a chance he may need to do something else for a career – like be an engineer. And that engineering degree won’t keep him from what he loves, as he intends to use those skills on the track as a mechanic, crew member or in some other capacity.

For Braden, the possibilities are endless before the checkered flag, and WVU is helping him get ready.

-WVU-

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