Justin Martin: HEAT: Help Eliminate Auto Theft

Since the age of two, Justin has been involved in racing. Whether watching his father slide on the high banked dirt track or acting as crew chief for the #21 Late Model Stock Car, racing is in his blood. He began his racing career in 2000 driving in the Mini-Cup Division. He drove the #36 car to three victories. In 2004 he moved up to the Late Model Truck Division driving the #6 H.E.A.T. Chevrolet Silverado. Then in 2006 Justin began racing in the highly competitive NASCAR Weekly Racing Series Late Model Stock Car Division. Justin’s future plans include completing college and again following in the senior Martin’s footsteps by becoming a Trooper with the Virginia State Police. Keep watching this young driver as he continues his racing career in the #7 H.E.A.T. Chevrolet Monte Carlo, and follows his path to becoming a police officer. Keep reading for personalized updates about Justin’s success.

As I near [high school] graduation, I anxiously look ahead to my future. My career goal is to become a Virginia State trooper. I plan to attend Wytheville Community College, where I will earn my Associate’s Degree in Business Administration and will then transfer to Radford University, where I will earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. I plan to use this degree so that I can become an investigator working with crimes such as embezzlement and fraud.

While I am too young to remember Deputy Dicker, the impact of his life and death still affects me greatly. My goal to become a police officer not only comes from being the son of a Virginia State trooper but from others, such as, Deputy Cliff Dicker. All my life I have witnessed the dedication, strength, and honor that police officers live by.

I recently attended a funeral for a friend, Trooper-Agent Mark DeHart. As I am sure was the case for Deputy Dicker, there was a huge assembly of uniformed police officers. As they stood in attendance and saluted as his casket was carried out of the church, I thought how wonderful it was to be honored in such a way. Many of these officers did not personally know Mark, but they came because of the brotherhood. The brotherhood that Deputy Dicker was a part of, the brotherhood that my father is a part of, and the brotherhood that I hope to represent some day. As I become a police officer, I will carry on this brotherhood for all those who have given their lives such as Deputy Cliff Dicker.

College classes began for me on August 21st, 2006 at Wytheville Community College. I took a summer class, Computer Technology, in order to complete my Business Administration Associated Degree in one year. I am able to do this because of the dual-credit classes I took in high school. Classes are going well; I am taking 16 credits this semester. I have lots of work to complete and many hours reading and studying. It is really keeping me busy.

I hope to be able to graduate next May from Wytheville Community College with a Business Administrative degree. I plan to transfer to Radford University and study Accounting as my major. My goal is to enter the Virginia State Police and with my degree and knowledge become an Agent Accountant.

With school and work there is not much time left, but I am able to squeeze in racing as well. My last race at Motor Mile Speedway was a learning experience. The #7 H.E.A.T. Chevrolet Monte Carlo gave us some trouble that night. I was on old tires in practice and couldn’t get much grip but was still pleased with the handling. For my two qualifying laps the car was loose and I had to back out of the throttle to keep it under me. Not good, started next to last in a field of 30 cars. Once the race began, I quickly realized the car seemed to have lost some power. I just couldn’t keep up with the field and the RPM’s were low. Not wanting to cause more damage to the motor, I brought the car into the pits and parked it. This motor will have to be rebuilt this winter. It just wasn’t my day.

The HEAT Racing Team started the day displaying at a VIN Etching in Pulaski,
VA. We talked with several folks about the HEAT Program and racing. We
left around 2:00 p.m. and went to the race track. It was a beautiful sunny
day and we were excited to be racing. Justin went out for his practice
laps, which was only 5 laps. He felt the car was handling well and didn't
need any changes. The Open Wheel Modified class was the first class to run
and the drivers got to do the traditional dirt track lap for the fans where
all the drivers salute the fans from their cars. There were 12 competitive
cars ready to race and when the green flag waved Justin dropped the hammer
on the HEAT machine and held on. He drove the top line of the track along
the guardrail and worked his way up to 5th place. With the white flag
waving the outside line lost grip and he brushed the guardrail and finished
six. The crew was very excited as Justin put on a good show, passing cars,
avoiding accidents, racing 3 wide on the big half mile track. After the
race Justin was upset that he didn't finish better, he felt that he had a
top 3 car. For his short time in the car he did a super job. He received
lots of praise and admiration from fellow drivers. Justin enjoyed racing at
the track where his father had run so many times before. Next week we will
be back on asphalt.

Justin graduates from Wytheville Community College on May 11th, 2007 with a
Business Administration Associates Degree. He will have a busy summer
taking 3 classes and then move to the Radford University campus in August. Go Justin--on and off the track!