University student Nick West hopes to one day reach the level of racing hero, Dale Earnhardt Jr. He is now taking the next step.

After racing go-karts since the age of 12, West, a freshman from Flowery Branch, will compete in the Team Ford of Marietta Pro Truck division at Lanier National Speedway in Braselton as a teammate to series veteran Clay Smith.

West will debut at Lanier Speedway April 19.

The division is part of the NASCAR weekly racing series presented by Dodge at Lanier.

“It’s always been the big goal me and my dad have wanted,” he said. “Racing here at Lanier is the next step.”

West said he hopes racing trucks at Lanier will serve as a spring board that will lead to a ride in the ARCA, Busch series and eventually Winston Cup.

West said North Georgia Heating and Cooling will be the primary sponsor on the truck. Associate sponsorship has been secured from Home Bank Mortage Corportation of Athens and Hall County Tobacco Free Coalition.

“We are not only going to try and make all the races at Lanier, but also try to go down to Pensacola and do some racing down there,” West said. “After we make our debut we expect to be here every weekend.”

West began racing go-karts at Dahlonega’s Etowah Mini Speedway, the same track at which Winston Cup champion Bill Elliott of Dawsonville started racing.

After four years on the local slate, it was time for West to move up and race in the national stage of the World Karting Association and compete throughout the southeast. The WKA has spawned Winston Cup drivers Jeremy Mayfield and Jamie McMurray.

“The nationals was a big step. A lot of big time racers have come out of nationals,” West said.