THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 13, 1995 TAG: 9508130239
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close Up
LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
In his dreams, Joey Cohen stares at the hood of a race car which is attached to the ceiling over his bed. He sees the uniforms of racing greats, such as Neil Bonnett, Chad Little and Robert Yates. Then he finds himself in the stock car pit at Dover Downs in Dover, Md., talking to drivers and asking for their autographs.
It's no dream.
The hood to Robert Yates' stock car does hang from his bedroom ceiling. The uniforms are his, too. His parents purchased them at auctions.
In fact, racing memorabilia fills every nook.
Joey has been collecting things pertaining to racing for several years, including the autographs of nearly all of the Winston Cup drivers.
But he wants to go beyond collecting.
The youngster has a five-year plan.
``When I turn 16, I hope to be going to Langley Speedway to race and then move up to stock cars,'' he said.
But for now, he is focused on driving his go-cart, which is equipped with a Briggs and Stratton engine built for racing.
Several times a month, his dad and others help to load his cart into the long, black trailer with ``Joey Cohen Racer'' painted on the side.
His parents, two sisters and his crew chief rooted for him through his first 10 races at tracks in Margaretsville and Elizabeth City, N.C.
After one heat, Joey came home with a second-place trophy, but he is anxious to bring home bigger and better wins.
Maybe racing is in the genes. Joey's grandfather, who used to drag race, is one of the lad's sponsors.
``I'd like to be winning a few races and doing my best out there,'' he said. ``I give it all I've got.''
Full name: Joseph ``Joey'' Cohen
School: ``I'll be in sixth grade at Great Bridge Middle School N. when school starts.''
Parents: Sam and Patricia
Siblings: Jessica and Casey
Last book read: `` The Winston Cup Scene'' - a magazine.
Hobbies: ``I like racing a lot and going to work with my dad and hanging around with him. Sometimes, I like to play baseball in the yard and swimming at my grandmother's.''
Fond memories: ``Getting my first go-cart when I was 7 or 8 and my very first starting race. That would be hard to forget.''
Favorite food: Pizza
Favorite TV program: ``Winston Cup Racing'' on Sundays
If there were one thing you could change, what would it be? ``A few weeks ago when Tommy Brinn, my crew chief, told me how to start in a race, but I failed to do it. I wish I had listened to his advice because I fell back a few spots.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
by CNB