A second-generation racer, and only 19, Devin Cates is one of the top amateur road racers in the United States. He has proven to be a consistent threat at courses such as Road Atlanta, Caroline Motorsport Park, Nelson Ledges, Mid Ohio and his hometown track Summit Point. Winning the Jetta TDI Cup adds yet another notch to his belt, and with his experience and age, it is expected that his move up the professional driver ranks will be swift one.

The first person I call is my mom. She has always been there for me and our relationship with each other has really grown strong over the last year. I called her on my way home and told her all about the win and how it felt, she was the happiest I have ever heard her!

I want to prove I can be the best no matter who is racing. I want to constantly improve my performance to meet my own expectations, and of course prove to my dad that I can be a successful racecar driver, he has always supported my dreams and has constantly pushed me to take it to the next level.

I find myself with a song stuck in my head every now and then when I’m racing. It’s always a different song, nothing specific and it usually comes and goes. When I’m in an intense battle there is no song, if I have a big lead a song may enter my head.

When I’m on the grid I like to close my eyes, clear my head and picture all the turns in order, one at a time. Going into the race calm, with a fresh and clear mind helps me maintain my focus; a low heartbeat helps keep my emotions intact along with staying calm throughout the whole race.

When you have 25 hungry drivers on the same track, battles are sure to ensue. You just have to make sure you’re at the right place at the right time so when opportunities open up you are there to capitalize, that’s exactly what I do. I am aggressive at the right times to get myself right in striking position, then I am patient and wait until the opportunity presented itself.

I think a driver breaks rules when he feels that there are no options left. Sometimes it is a desperate pass at the end of the race, or an overly optimistic view of getting both cars through the turn cleanly. When I bump someone it is more of a friendly gesture, kind of like shaking someone’s hand, it lets them know you’re willing to work with them to pull away from the guy or guys behind you.

I was hit from behind in the braking zone going into Canada Corner. My buddy Derek Jones made a slight miscalculation in the braking and sent me flying through the gravel at over 100mph, I felt the left front of the car dig into the gravel and at that point I knew I was going over. When I landed I opened my eyes and was on top of the tire wall. I remember letting out a huge yell when the car started to flip, but to be honest I was more pissed that my race was done than scared.

I punted a BMW e30, because…well he was in my way. I was running 3rd right behind Mat Pombo and Dean Copeland who were 1, 2 respectively. The e30 let both of them by on the outside and cut me off. I was so determined to win that race that I didn’t even think about lifting, and punted him right off the track. I ended up finishing 2nd but got dq’ed anyway because, as you can imagine the guy driving the e30 wasn’t too happy and “threw paper”, for which I don’t blame him.

The vets expect to have a big advantage. However, the rookies proved strong and won the first 2 races of the year. Out of the 6 winners this year, 3 of them have been veterans and 3 rookies. So I think it has been a pretty even battle between the rookies and veterans all season.

Timmy Megenbier, is the highest praised driver of the series. With the way he has been driving this year – rightly so.

Whenever I see the #22 car in my mirrors in a practice session I just pull over and let him by. He seems to like contact.

It’s a great experience getting to meet people from all over North and Central America. Getting to know what they’re all about, on and off the track. After a couple of race weekends I feel everyone started spreading out more and hanging out with different people, rather than just people who were from the same region. On the track everyone is just another racer, we all want to win and we all drive like it!

My home track Summit Point, is an awesome track with a bunch of fast, intimidating turns; my favorite! I live about an hour away and have countless laps there. I know about every speed secret and passing zone there, and if the series visited SP I feel I would have a huge advantage. I also would make sure to put on a great show for the home crowd too!

Eco-conscious racing is the future of motorsport. Volkswagen is lifting all preconceptions with the clean diesel Jetta models in the VW Jetta TDI Cup. With such a large manufacturer as the likes of Volkswagen taking the initiative to have a completely eco-conscious race series, other race series, such as ALMS, are sure to follow.

Watch the Jetta TDI Cup! 25 young drivers, all competing for a name, a title and 100k. This is a very potent combination that allows for an extremely exciting racing!

I’m hoping the Jetta TDI Cup will pave a way for me in future Pro Racing. Whatever it may be, road or oval, I’m open to any kind of opportunity. I want to make racing my career and make a living doing what I love!

I’d definitely buy some kind of intense dune buggy to race on my dirt track at home. That is if I win the Jetta TDI Cup, $100,000 in prize money.

I am out of the Championship hunt. I am just focusing on finishing out the year strong, which will hopefully open up opportunities for me next year and beyond.

Believe that you’re the best. In racing or in any sport, you have to or else you will not win, simple as that.

Related Links:
See all VW TDI vehicles
Clean Diesel vs. Hybrid
Are diesels fast? Take a TDI for a hot lap
Learn more about Volkswagens and TDI