Timothy Peters, driver and co-owner of the No. 17 Premier Racing Dodge, counts himself as the “half” man charged with helping his crew chief and sole employee. (David Vaughn Photo) » More Photos

Peters and company will sit out the next two Truck Series races but will return for the Nov. 14 season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway (8 p.m. ET on SPEED; NCTS Setup with Krista Voda at 7:30 p.m. ET). Goals for the 2009 season include a fulltime NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series schedule, contingent on sponsorship.

Fulfilling his dreams hasn’t come without a hefty price tag for Peters, who, like many true dirt-under-the-nails racers, is putting his every penny into his racing effort.

“I’m not afraid to admit that when RCR and I parted ways late last year, Steve Stallings (co-owner) and I bought a Late Model stock car to run the last four races,” Peters said. “Then I bought this truck, so I’ve put myself in pretty bad financial shape in hopes people would recognize what I’m trying to do and how passionate I am. So far, it’s paid off.”

Dad would think so. Peters’ father made sure his son knew how to build and maintain a race car from the tires on up.

“I think my dad would be proud,” Peters said. “When he died, a part of me wanted to stop racing, but he and my mom didn’t go into debt for me to stop. They knew I had what it takes to get the job done. Dad and I had fun together, so I think he’s sitting up there proud. He’s a part of it even though he’s not here. A lot of people wrote me off, saying after my dad died, ‘you won’t see him around,’ but my dad went into a lot of debt to get me where I am now.”

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