DAYTONA — Kevin Gladman is living in the fast lane. Literally.

The Cadiz native is member of the Richard Childress Racing Team on the NASCAR circuit. More specifically, he is a mechanic for Austin Dillon.

Dillon reached the pinnacle of his profession when he won the Daytona 500 last month. The race kicks off the circuit’s season and is NASCAR’S Super Bowl.

Gladman, age 28, was a big part of that. He is the mechanic responsible for the fuel cell, brakes, springs, axles and much more underneath the No. 3 car.

“The Daytona 500 didn’t play out seamless but we didn’t experience any major issues. We planned on running in the back to stay out of trouble,” Gladman said. “We got one lap down late in the race. We thought we had messed up even though Austin was driving hard.

“Then the caution flag came out and we got back on the lead lap. Austin kept moving up and worked his way into fourth place,” he added. “Then we had a restart and I knew we had a chance. We got a big push from Bubba Wallace and Austin brought it home in first.”

Gladman’s race car career had its beginnings during his prep days at the Jefferson JVS. He studied automative service technology and was also class president. While in high school, he wasn’t involved in sports, but rather motocross.

After high school, Gladman matriculated to The University of Northwestern Ohio. It is a private, coeducational, open admissions, not-for-profit university in Lima. Northwestern’s Automotive Technology program is regarded as one of the best in the nation.

“I built engines and chassis and helped with driver tryouts at Northwestern,” Gladman said. “As an upperclassman there we get to go to Daytona and work with dirt cars. That is where I first met Austin.

“We hit it off. I have always liked Austin. He really cares about the people who work with him,” he added. “At the Daytona Hall of Fame banquet he introduced us all. He knew everyone’s name and knew about us. We have a great rapport.”

While winning the Daytona 500 is high profile and can be rewarding, Gladman’s normal NASCAR week is hectic but one he relishes.

“When we have a Sunday race we get Tuesdays off. Wednesdays are long days as we start getting the car ready for the next race,” Gladman said. “Thursdays we fly out to our next race venue. Saturdays we completely tear the car apart in prepration for the race. Sundays are long days with the races and everything that goes with them.

“After the race we load up everything and head home. Then we start the routine again next week,” he added. “I love what I am doing. It doesn’t feel like work.”

Gladman now calls China Grove, N.C. home. He only occasionally gets back to the Ohio Valley, reuniting with family and to go turkey hunting.

And what was the celebration like after winning the Daytona 500, which ranks with the Indy 500 as the two most prestigious road races?

“The celebrating really hasn’t stopped. It won’t go away but we know we need to focus on the next race,” Gladman said. “Winning the Daytona 500 was the most single greatest event in my life.”

GYMNASTICS STAR

AUSTYN HARTLIEB continues to impress in gymnastics circles. The young Arizona dynamo, with Ohio Valley connections, enjoyed a superb state meet last week. She won Bars with the highest score of any level 6 (all ages) and was runnerup on the Vault and the All Around – both with personal best scores.

Hartlieb was subsequently selected for the Arizona State Team which is comprised of the top 12 girls from Arizona, Southern California, Northern California, Utah and Nevada to compete in a special session at regionals. The regional event is set for April 21 in Chandler, AZ.

Hartlieb is 11-years-old and packs just 51 pounds on her 4-6 frame. She is the daughter of Mark and Angela Hartlieb. Mark is a Bellaire native and former baseball standout at St. John Central, owning several school records. He is currently the director of Information Technology at Global Tranz Co., headquartered in Scottsdale. Angela, meanwhile, is a gymnastics teacher. She has proven an integral part of her daughter’s athletic development.

BUBBA’S BITS

THE NORTH ALABAMA women’s basketball team enjoyed a record-setting season. The Lions are coached by former Bellaire High and West Liberty hoop standout Missy Tiber. Her Lions posted a sparkling 24-5 record, marking the most wins in school history. North Alabama was ousted by Lee in the NCAA Division II Tournament.

JOANNA BERNABIE-McNAMEE saw her University of Albany squad fall to Penn, 76-61, in the Women’s National Invitational Tournament last week. The former Weirton Madonna High and West Liberty star guided the Great Danes to a 24-8 mark this winter.

ERIC MUSSLEMAN, who guided Nevada to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Basketball Tournament, grew up in suburban Cleveland. He attended Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School.

DAN MONTEROSO continues to rack up the honors, and rightly so. The West Liberty University hoop star was named Division II All-American, putting the exclamation point on a remarkable two-college, two-sport career. The St. Clairsville High product is the template for the ideal student-athlete.

MUSKINGUM UNIVERSITY has named Erik Ieueter as the Muskies’ new head football coach. He comes to New Concord from the University of Florida. He tutored the Gators’ quarterbacks. Ieueter played collegiately at Albion College in Michigan.

MARSHALL UNIVERSITY captured the fancy of the college basketball world by making the NCAA Tournament and upsetting Wichita State in the opening round before falling to WVU. Wheeling Park’s Phil Bledsoe was a member of the Thundering Herd contingent. The 6-6 forward played in 19 games this winter, averaging 3.1 ppg. Bledsoe netted three points against the Mountaineers.

KRISTIN LEWICKI has enjoyed an amazing hockey career. The John Marshall grad scripted an All-American career at Adrian College (Mich.), earning NCAA Division III player-of-the-year honors as a senior. She ranks among the top scorers in D-III annals. She signed a pro contract this season with the Buffalo Beauts of the National Women’s Hockey League. Today, she will lead the Beauts in the Isobel Cup championship game against Metropolitan Riveters in Newark. The rookie forward, who was the winner in the Faster Skater event at the NWHL All-Star Game, has netted three goals and one assist against the Riveters this season, including the game-winning goal in their most recent contest.