In a NASCAR world of big dogs, big money, and mega teams, small-time efforts like Chris Cockrum's family-owned team are easily overlooked. Cockrum, 25, has raced go-karts, Junior Late Models, Pro Cup cars, and ARCA out of the small shop behind his family's Conyers, Georgia home. He, his parents, and the few hired hands that joined them on race weekends piled up trophies and good finishes in the lower levels of racing, but had to cut back their schedule - and their level of competitiveness - once they hit the big speedways of the ARCA Series. As the economy sank (sponsorship of the team was mainly limited to the family business - Advanced Communications Group), so did Cockrum's time on the track. After over a one-year hiatus, Cockrum happened upon the opportunity of a liftime to return to the cockpit of racecar - make that a NASCAR Camping World Truck. 

In September of last year, Cockrum partnered with Turn One Racing and the No. 66 Chevy for the NCWTS race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Cockrum had never raced in the Truck Series or at AMS, but managed to finish the race 24th and did not wreck, which is a big accomplishment on the fast, but worn pavement at the Hampton, Georgia track. 

"That was a life-changing experience. That was a jump that I didn't know how steep of a jump it was going to be. The race pace is so fast," said Cockrum about making his NASCAR debut in front of a hometown crowd. 

Cockrum is hoping for another shot in NASCAR. With so many seats open in the Nationwide and Truck Series, rides can be bought for a price. Throughout the offseason, Cockrum and his family have been contacting different Truck teams - from Joe Deanette Motorsports to Kyle Busch Motorsports - trying to find the right fit and the right price. With the Daytona Truck race just a few weeks away, Cockrum tells News/Talk WSB he just may be in the NextEra Energy Resources 250 on February 24th.

"We're still working on the sponsorship part. It'll probably be a one-race deal, but we'll see."

Cockrum is in deep talks with a race team and says he is "85-90%" sure he will race in the NCWTS season-opening race. 

And just how has Cockrum been able to stay confident about his racing career, despite limited time behind the wheel the past few seasons?

"Praying. Even when I get down and things do get tough, there is only one person that I turn to and that is God."

Cockrum talks to WSB about his early racing career, his recent struggles to stay behind the wheel, his family's encourgagement, and what his outlook is for 2012. Listen and/or Download 

Read about another small-time team: RSS Racing.