Some kids ask for a bicycle, or even a football for Christmas. Even Ralphie found a Red Ryder BB gun under his tree.
Three years ago, Santa Claus packed something with a little more punch and speed into his sleigh for Senoia's Joshua Hicks, leaving behind a Bandolero Race Car when he was only 8.
It's turned into one of Hicks' best Christmas presents ever and certainly one of his most prized possessions, and with good reason.
These days, the 11-year-old is one of the rising stars on Atlanta Motor Speedway's quarter-mile at its Thursday Thunder Summer racing series.
"I got the car for Christmas and two months later we went out and practiced, and I have loved racing ever since," he said.
Last season, Hicks spent most the summer racing out front in the Bandits' Division of Thursday Thunder, winning the series by 29 points over Ashton Winger.
Hicks, who is getting ready to leave elementary school behind for the sixth grade at East Coweta Middle School, practically dominated the Bandits' class last year, winning six times and finishing in the top three on three other occasions during the 10-week season.
The only mistake he made during the season was when he spun out trying to take the lead on the last lap of one race, but even then, his performance was good enough to capture a top-10.
He's ready to defend his points title at Thursday Thunder when the green flag drops on June 7 to usher in the 16th season of Bandolero and Legends racing at AMS.
"It's awesome to race out here," he said at Thursday Thunder Media Day. "We race in front of all of these fans, and we get to make a speech after you win. You have all of that adrenaline running through your body. It just feels awesome."
It almost seems as if Hicks was born to be around machines designed for speed.
At the age of two, with the help of his father Scott, Hicks drove his first four-wheeler.
Hicks knows his racing career couldn't evolve without his Dad, who has turned into a great crew chief.
"My dad gives me a great setup, every week" he said.
Scott has enjoyed watching his son turn into a track champion through hard work.
"About a year and a half ago, something clicked," Scott said. "It was during the fall and the winter, and he just started getting better. He started figuring out what it takes to get around the track. He has been on a tear."
Hicks tuned up for defending his Thursday Thunder series by winning Bandits Division of AMS' Winter Flurry.
He is now a two-time Winter Flurry champion also winning the series in 2010.
After two full years racing at AMS, Hicks has matured as a driver.
He is starting to learn exactly what the car can and can't do.
"You have to know the lines, and when to let off the gas," Hicks said. "You need to know how to get through traffic to get up to speed."
The Thursday Thunder series has been a spring board to NASCAR for several Thursday Thunder alumni.
Hicks is aware of Thursday Thunder's rich history, and now has his own dreams of one day racing a stock car against some of his heroes.
Joey Logano, David Ragan and Reed Sorenson all cut their racing teeth competing in various divisions at Thursday Thunder, winning championships, before graduating to NASCAR'sSprint Cup and Nationwide series.
Hicks has grown up idolizing defending NASCAR champion Tony Stewart and fan favorite Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
"My Dad has always liked Tony Stewart, and I like Dale Earnhardt Jr. because of his Dad," Hicks said. "My Dad tells me about Dale Earnhardt Sr. all the time."
Right now, those NASCAR dreams can wait several more years.
Currently, he more pressing matters on his mind.
Hicks knows defending his Bandits' title won't be a assure thing.
"Everybody is getting quicker," he said. "The Bandits Division is going to be really challenging this year."
Although Hicks races every Thursday during the summer at AMS, he has also made stops in Cordelle and other NASCAR speedway venues such as Kentucky and Charlotte as his racing resume continues to grow.
Hicks will spend most of his time trying to tame the race track at AMS, this season as the family continues to look for a sponsor to help fund their racing dreams.
He also has his mind on the Bandalero Nationals in Alabama later this year.
Scott isn't putting any pressure on his son as he continues to move up the racing ladder. Still, he knows his son as great instincts when it comes to the sport.
"I think with every sport, whether it is baseball or racing, some people are just born with it. You either have it or you don't. He's my son, but right now he has it," Scott said.
Next year, Hicks can move up to the bigger and faster Legends Cars, but he is uncertain about that as he is content to improve and move up in a Bandolero car.
As for the future, Scott says the sky is the limit with his son's racing career.
"I want him to go as far as he wants to in this sport," he said."It is all up to him."
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FAST FACTS
Joshua Hicks
Age: 11
Hometown: Senoia (East Coweta Middle School)
Years Racing at AMS: Three
Division: Bandolero Bandts (2011 Champion)
Favorite Racing Memory: First AMS Win in May 2011
Racing Heroes: Tony Stewart, Dale Earnhardt Jr.
