 In 1984, the 16-year-old won the NAMRA Champ Cars division championship and was the division's Rookie of the Year; he also raced in International Jet Ski Racing events that season.He continued to move up the ladder and began racing late models at Berlin Raceway.He began racing on regional touring series, winning in the American Speed Association in 1990 and the NASCAR All-Pro Series in 1992.