Meet Adam Barker

Blink and you'll miss him. He's that fast.

Now in his second year as a Late Model Stock driver, 19-year-old Adam Barker is quickly making a name for himself as one of the fastest young racers in the NASCAR-sponsored Whelen All-American Series, formerly the Dodge Weekly Series.

Finishing eighth overall in 2006, the Virginia native is enjoying top-of-the-pack status in 2007. In fact, Barker was dominating the field so much during the first half of this year's season, Virginia-based South Boston Speedway at one point put up a $1,000 bounty payable to anyone who could beat him. C.E. Falk III of Virginia Beach claimed the prize, putting Barker's streak of seven consecutive wins to an end at the 150-lap NASCAR Late Model Stock Car Division race on June 23. Not one to just sit back and take it, Barker came back strong his very next outing to start on the pole and handily win the Baileys 200.

Barker's already been behind the wheel for well over a decade — his racing background dates all the way back to karting stints at age six. His proudest racing milestones thus far include winning a kart national championship and achieving his first win at South Boston Speedway earlier this season.

For such a young driver, Barker's got an incredibly mature view of what it takes to win races.

"It's a matter of knowing when to be calm and when to be aggressive," he says. "Plus, I've got the best crew chief in the business, and that helps a lot."

Like many young drivers, Barker would love to see what other series have to offer and, ultimately, to make a run for the NEXTEL Cup.

"ARCA, Busch — whatever it takes to get me there," he says.

Barker's affiliation with Stacy Compton's Lynchburg, Virginia-based Turn One Racing should give Barker plenty of opportunity to explore those dreams.

"He saw me in go-karts," Barker says. "I guess he was impressed by what he saw and decided to give me a chance at the late models."

At present, he's definitely making the most of that chance.

Barker lives in Hurt, Virginia.