It didn’t take long for Troy Foulger to realize racing runs in his family’s blood. As a 9-year-old, he kick-started what would later become his career as he watched his brother, who was a natural motocross racer. Thirteen years later, Foulger is a dirt modified sprint car champion.

Soon after taking an interest in racing, Foulger turned his attention to go-karts and then sprint cars. He didn’t start sprints until he began racing for Billy Bowers part time in 2009.

Three years later, Foulger has plans on racing around California, Oregon and Nevada this year and hopes to compete nationwide next year.

Despite local accomplishments, Foulger is aware that his success so far is modest. One of his favorite aspects of racing involves people who view him in a different light.

“I love racing side-by-side against other people, but I really love when fans come up to us and ask for an autograph,” Foulger said. “The little kids treat us like superstars. That’s one of the coolest parts – and probably my favorite part.”

Other than working on his car throughout the week, Foulger gets no practice before race days. He does get a little practice on race day, but he’s basically cold every week going into his races, making consistency an added challenge.

Foulger hopes to continue his racing career for years to come. While he’s an accomplished racer, he’s still new to racing on dirt.

“I’d like to stay on dirt, but racing is racing,” Foulger said. “I’d love to do this for the rest of my life, to travel the country and race. That’s what I love to do now. I was a big sprint car fan. I never thought anything of modified until Billy asked me to do it.”

Although drivers go solo on the track, racing is a team sport. Foulger is quick to share his success with those who help him get his car in shape on race day, including his sponsors: Southern County Lubricants, Allen Audio, All Flow Muffler and Auto Repair, Kinders, Chuck’s Wheel and Brake and the Bowers family.

While he’s been racing in one form or another for most of his life, he doesn’t plan to stop. “Racing is fun,” Foulger said. “It’s a family sport. You really can get everyone involved. It’s a fun deal, and you get to meet a lot of good people. Really, it’s one of the coolest sports.”