SJA Freshman Haggett To Race On National Stage

St. Johnsbury Academy freshman TJ Haggett is used to going fast.

It makes sense that his racing career has taken off at full speed.

In the matter of three years, TJ Haggett, of Waterford, has rapidly climbed the racing ranks since starting out in go-karts when he was 12 years old. Now, the 15-year-old is headed to compete at the INEX Asphalt National Championships in Dillon, South Carolina, on Nov. 12-14.

It all began with a trip down to North Carolina to visit JR Motorsports, where Haggett met NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. and got his autograph.

Fast forward a few years and Haggett — donning his iconic white cowboy hat that has become his signature look at the track — is now the one signing autographs for young fans.

Haggett began his racing journey at 12 on the go-kart track, racing a flat kart at Rocky Ridge Raceway in Graniteville, Vermont and a champ kart in Groveton, New Hampshire. The following year, he moved up to Street Stock and began competing at White Mountain Motorsports Park in North Woodstock, N.H. and at Thunder Road in Barre, Vermont.

While Haggett’s path to success has been fast-moving, it hasn’t necessarily been easy. Late nights in the shop, weekends spent at the track — it’s a time-consuming pastime for a 15-year-old who is also balancing school, friends and family, as well as other hobbies, including skiing and being involved in Scouts.

His ultimate goal is to turn his passion for racing into a career. Reaching the NASCAR Cup Series is his ultimate dream.

And now it’s time for your Moo92 sports…

Down 22 points in the first half the Boston Celtics stormed back to beat the Toronto Raptors 98-93 for their 5th straight win. Jayson Tatum with 24 points in the victory. The Celtics will have a few days off until their next game against the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday.

In hockey the Boston Bruins will host the Montreal Canadians tonight at the Garden. Boston riding a 4 game win streak while Montreal has won 7 of their last 9. Puck drops at 7pm.