This is the Statt Mann, Baby. It’s time to Scatt a Little Bit…

One of the great things about watching motor sports is getting the chance to see young drivers emerge from the fog and launch their careers.

For example, we could be seeing excellence leaving the launch pad right now in the form of Joey Bickers from Moorpark north of Los Angeles.

About four weeks ago Bickers won the Team USA Scholarship with Jake Eidson. That scholarship gave Bickers and Eidson the chance to run in England at the Formula Ford Festival and several other events.

Some past winners of the Scholarship include A.J. Allmendinger, Andy Lally, Buddy Rice, Bryan Herta and Jimmy Vasser. It’s not a guarantee but it’s certainly a sign of success if a driver wins the Team USA Scholarship.

Another sign for Bickers happened this past week when he won the Mazda Shootout to earn $75,000 in cash and prizes to take to C.J. Wilson Racing next year and run in the Mazda MX-5 Cup professional series.

So remember the name Joey Bickers and where you were when you first heard it. Don’t be surprised if he winds up at the top of the podium at Indy or Le Mans or Sebring. He’s following in the path of others who’ve traveled that exact road.

Peace.