Becoming passionate about a sports team or activity often begins early in life, usually influenced by our parents. This is how the story begins for Jackson McLerran, the first professional racecar driver from Portland, TN.

Jackson’s father and grandfather were dedicated racing fans, frequenting the Nashville Fairgrounds to watch stock cars. When Jackson was four, they took him to the Busch Series races at Nashville Superspeedway. Expecting him to get distracted by the concessions or other activities around the venue, both his father and grandfather were surprised when he remained captivated by the cars throughout the entire race.

At that moment, they turned to each other with the same thought: “We’re in trouble.”

Jackson’s passion for racing was ignited that day and continued to grow, but his journey through the ranks of racing wasn’t always smooth. He started racing at age 8 in the regional mini cup division, competing for three years until only two young racers remained, leading to the division’s dissolution. Frustrated by this and wanting to enjoy the usual activities of a middle and high schooler, he decided to take a break from racing.

Yet, the desire to drive never left him.

Ten years later, in the fall of 2018, Jackson asked his dad if he could race again. With a resounding yes, the two purchased a race-ready car, and within weeks Jackson was back on the track competing at Highland Rim Speedway in Greenbrier. Although he drew 12th that night, his 5th-place finish reignited his confidence and determination to chase his dream.

“I knew I could race, but I didn’t know if I could compete,” Jackson reflects on that night. “Starting from 12th, at the back of the pack, I grew more confident as the race progressed, and finishing 5th reignited the fire.”

Between 2018 and 2019, Jackson regularly raced stock cars throughout the Tennessee Valley. In 2021, he advanced to superstock, competing at the Nashville Fairgrounds against NASCAR Cup Series drivers Kenny Wallace and Ken Schrader. Though the year didn’t go as planned, he faced the challenges and continued to move forward. In 2022, he switched to the pro-late model, bringing him closer to the professional circuit. As the horsepower of the cars around him increased, so did his confidence in his ability to race and win. That same year, he and his father launched a podcast that would change his professional trajectory.

“Bubba’s ‘Bout Broke” began in December 2022, sharing stories from pit road about the men and women who race for the love of it. The podcast quickly gained popularity and now boasts thousands of listeners. Jackson and his dad, Melvin, are passionate about telling the stories of those who pour their hearts into the sport for the sheer joy of it.

“It’s a special opportunity for us to share the stories of people who might otherwise go unnoticed,” says Jackson. “We love hearing about the passion they have and the dreams they are striving to achieve.”

On July 19 of this year, at 25 years old, Jackson made his ARCA Menards debut at the historic Indianapolis Raceway Park. ARCA serves as a primary feeder circuit into the main NASCAR series, including Craftsman Trucks, Xfinity, and the Cup Series. He faced significant adversity when an oil leak prevented him from qualifying, forcing him to start at the back of the field.

Despite the setback, he completed 166 laps before a wreck ended his race, finishing in the top 25 and further boosting his confidence.

“After racing with some of the best, I knew I could compete,” Jackson says confidently. “We had a great team and an all-around great time. While not everything went our way, we pushed through, stayed focused, and had the chance to race on that level. That meant everything to me. This lifelong dream is finally becoming a closer reality.”

Jackson encourages anyone chasing a dream to keep their focus. Through his podcast and time spent at the track, one question stands out: “Are you willing to keep showing up?” He emphasizes, “Not everything goes your way when you race. There are a lot of unexpected challenges, but if you keep showing up, you’ll find success.”

Looking ahead, his dream includes competing in more ARCA Menards Series races in 2025 and making his Truck Series debut within the next three years.