PBS is set to premiere its film “Racing Dreams” as part of its POV series on Thursday, February 23 at 9pm, and will stream on POV’s website from February 24-March 24. The movie follows a year of three tweens who dream of becoming NASCAR drivers, and showcases their racing, young love and family struggles. Annabeth Barnes, Josh Hobson and Brandon Warren are shown racing extreme go-karts at speeds of up to 70 mph in the World Karting Association’s Pavement Series, which is considered to be the Little League of professional racing.
“Racing Dreams” was directed by Academy Award-nominated director Marshall Curry, and executive produced by Dwayne Johnson. It won Best Documentary Awards from the Tribeca, Indianapolis and Jacksonville Film Festivals. Curry will participate in a live Q&A on February 24 on POV’s Racing Dreams website. The site also features a video game where users can compete as an extreme go-kart racer and download a discussion guide.
“Racing Dreams” follows the 16-year-old Barnes, who is now in 11th grade and lives in Hiddenite, North Carolina . A third-generation racer, she started racing in the Naskart Kids class at age 7, and had won 32 races by the age of 11. Barnes, the youngest person to ever be selected for NASCAR’s drive for Diversity, is racing full sized cars against adult drivers.
Josh Hobson, a 17-year-old high school senior, who lives in Flint, Michigan, started racing when he was 5. He was won seven Grand Nationals, and is driving full-sized cars in the American Speed Association Late Model racing series.
Brandon Warren,an 18-year-old 12th grader, lives in Creedmore, North Carolina. Warren, who hasn’t driven since “Racing Dreams” finished shooting, and is considering giving up racing to join the military when he graduates from high school.