Sophomore Carter Shaul spends his weekends racing cars, splitting time between the automobiles he shares with his dad and the car he built himself, as he works to climb to the top of his division. While many students spend their Saturdays sleeping in or scrolling through social media, Shaul is already up before sunrise, tightening bolts, checking fuel levels, and preparing to launch down a track at speeds that demand precision and bravery.

Shaul’s love for racing began long before he ever gripped a steering wheel. His dad regularly brought him to local and national racing events in Las Vegas, exposing him to the sport’s energy, community, and sense of competition.

“My racing passion started when my dad started taking me to the local national events in Vegas,” Shaul explained. Those early experiences didn’t just create an interest, they built the foundation for the future he wanted.

Even with that passion, Shaul’s first time behind the wheel wasn’t effortless.

“My first time down the race track I was pretty scared,” he admitted.

But after completing his license passes, proving to officials and himself that he could safely handle the car, he quickly grew more confident. That shift from nervous beginner to focused competitor showed how determined he was to push through the early fears that hold many new racers back.

Racing soon became more than a hobby; it turned into a family effort.

“They either come watch my races or help me work on my car,” he said. The support from his family, whether emotional or mechanical, gives Shaul strength during long race weekends, where every extra pair of hands in the pits makes a difference.

Preparing for competition takes far more than warming up the engine.

“I prepare for my races by working on my car, making sure every bolt is tightened and making sure the car is safe to go down the track,” Shaul explained.

What sounds simple is actually a high-pressure process that combines mechanical knowledge, attention to detail, and an understanding of safety that many spectators overlook. As Shaul puts it, “Most people don’t realize how complicated racing is and how dangerous it is.” Behind each pass down the track is hours of unseen work.

Throughout his years of racing, many victories have piled up, but one stands out.

“The win that meant the most to me was when I won three weeks after I had a big crash,” he said.

That moment represented more than just first place, it symbolized resilience. Returning so soon after a terrifying rollover required bravery that can’t be taught. For Shaul, that comeback win proved to himself that he wasn’t defined by fear.

The crash itself was the hardest challenge he’s faced.

“The hardest thing I’ve had to overcome was when I had a big crash in June and my car had a lot of damage to it, so I had to work really hard to fix it and make sure it was safe to race again,” he shared.

The process tested both his skill and perseverance, showing that racing demands just as much grit in the garage as it does at the starting line.

Looking ahead, Shaul has big plans.

“My biggest goal right now is to buy my first top dragster and win a division championship,” he said.

With his determination, hands-on knowledge, and unwavering support from his family, he’s already racing toward that future.

For Carter Shaul, racing isn’t just a weekend activity, it’s a craft, a challenge, and a future he’s building one race at a time.