Benton fifth-grader, Jagger Wiggs, speaks with a matter-of-fact tone about car racing. I’m taken aback when the eleven-year-old casually mentions, “Well, some go faster than others, but the ones I race reach up to fifty or sixty miles per hour.” This statement transports me back to my own teenage years, learning to drive at fifteen and nearly steering my father’s truck into a ditch at a fraction of that speed. I catch myself shaking my head in disbelief as I refocus on Jagger, who appears so young and unassuming.

“My grandpa raced first. Then, it was my dad’s turn, followed by my brother. I wanted to follow in their tracks, so I started racing too. It’s been about a year and a half,” Jagger explains, his voice steady and calm, as if racing at such speeds is as commonplace as learning multiplication tables.

Jagger’s primary vehicle, dubbed Black Betty, boasts a glossy black finish and a powerful 600-cc engine, albeit with a restrictor plate to cap its speed for safety. He also has a secondary car, painted in a vibrant mix of white, orange, green, and a hint of blue. Yet, it’s Black Betty that remains his preference for its superior speed and larger engine size.

Racing isn’t just a hobby for Jagger; it’s a family affair, deeply rooted in tradition and shared passion. He races locally, often in DuQuoin or Marion, but his competitions have also taken him as far as Texas and Florida. Among his family, Jagger looks up to his father and older brother the most, aspiring to mirror their racing prowess while also harboring an interest in construction work, much like his dad.

His brother, fifteen and already an accomplished racer, serves as Jagger’s primary role model. Known for his ability to balance aggression with safety on the track, his brother competes without the restrictor plate, pushing Black Betty to speeds over eighty miles per hour. Jagger dreams of emulating his brother’s success, aiming to win numerous races and experience the joy of victory speeches and celebratory photographs.

However, Jagger is candid about the sport’s inherent risks, including the harrowing experience of flipping his car at high speeds. Despite the fear, the thrill of competition and a deep-seated love for the sport drive him forward. He prides himself on his competitiveness, not bravery, excelling in language, math, with a particular fondness for Mr. Drew Pettit’s social studies classes.

Aside from racing, Jagger enjoys basketball and baseball, finding balance between his academic pursuits and athletic interests. As he looks forward to the weekends spent chasing speed with his family, his passion for racing remains undimmed, fueled by a relentless need for speed and a desire to push his limits, just as his brother does.

Through Jagger’s eyes, we see a young racer’s determination and dreams taking shape, a testament to the enduring spirit of competition and the unbreakable bonds of family. In Benton, where Jagger calls home, his story unfolds at fifty miles per hour, under the watchful eyes of those who’ve raced before him and those who cheer him on, eager to see how far his need for speed will take him.