( CNN ) -- Nineteen-year-old Sergio Peña is living his dream . `` You know , to be a race car driver -- it almost does n't seem real , '' he said . `` It does n't seem like a job at all . It 's more like play to me . '' Peña may say it feels like play , but his work ethic says otherwise . `` He is a very methodical , very calculated race car driver , '' said Kip Childress , director of NASCAR 's K & N Pro Series East . `` Sergio is a driver that uses a whole lot of thought behind the steering wheel . '' Peña is from Virginia and is a first generation Colombian American . His love for racing started at age 4 when his father bought him a dirt bike . Jai Peña saw early on that there was no turning back . `` He loved it from day one , '' his father said . Peña has been competing professionally since he was 13 . Motocross , Go-Karts , Formula cars -- he was game for anything . But his love for all things speed did n't come without a price . Jai Peña bankrolled his son 's efforts for many years . He estimates he spent more than $ 1 million funding this son 's dream of making it to the big time . `` I would n't change a thing , '' he said . `` The economy is tough , but if I had to do it again , I think I would do it again . '' The sport of NASCAR is one that calls for major financial backing from sponsors in order for racers to have a legitimate chance to compete at a high level . NASCAR has at times been criticized for not doing enough to recruit minorities . The sport has made strides in recent years to remedy that problem , most notably through its `` Drive for Diversity '' program , which began in 2004 . The program looks for `` marketable minority and female drivers with racing experience at the grassroots level , '' according to its website . More than 200 drivers apply to the program each year , and six to 10 are selected , the website says . `` The main goal of the 'Drive for Diversity ' program is to get minorities a chance to enter their names into the sport , '' said Sergio Peña . `` It gives them a chance to get their names out there and advance themselves into higher-up NASCAR series or bigger teams . '' Meet the technical men behind the Nascar scene . Peña completed the program , and his success helped him land a big sponsor , Hattori Racing Enterprises . With a major sponsor and team behind him , Peña 's skills have become more refined . Last year was a breakout year of sorts for him . He finished the year tied for most wins in the K & N Pro Series East and came in fifth overall in points . But having a great support system and the right opportunities will only get you so far . Success in NASCAR is measured in wins . Peña is fully aware of this and attacks the track every time he gets behind the wheel . `` Sergio has done quite a bit of work , as well , and he has to perform , '' Childress said . `` Sergio has been able to get the job done on the race track . '' `` I 'm just another kid trying to make it in racing , just following my dream , '' Peña said . `` I 'm very thankful for all the people who have helped me along the way throughout my career . '' As for bringing more diversity to NASCAR ? `` It 's getting there , step by step , '' Peña said . NASCAR driver surprises military dad with the ride of his life .
Sergio Peña , 19 , graduated from NASCAR 's diversity program . NASCAR has been criticized for lack of diversity . Comment: