Sleek, colorful cars roared by at obscene speeds. Raucous crowds saluted and celebrated every turn of the wheel. The action, the intensity, the drama-Mitcham knew right then he wanted every part of racing. Now all he had to do was turn that movie screen into reality. The movie was "Days of Thunder," and it changed Mitcham forever.

"Every kid has their little dream or whatever, and I guess mine kind of came after the movie 'Days of Thunder,'" Mitcham said.

The flick is about an upstart, hotshot driver named Cole Trickle (played by Tom Cruise) and his plunge into the fast-paced world of NASCAR racing. "I saw the movie and I was like, 'I want to race,'" Mitcham said. "Then you never expect that it would actually come true."

Only it did. At the tenderfoot age of 21, Mitcham drives a late model stock car at the Motor Mile Speedway with the speed and style of a lead-footed veteran. Three months into the season, he has two wins and seven top-five finishes. He is second only behind Frank Deiny Jr. in overall points.

"I remember coming up here and watching Tink Reedy and watching Chad [Harris] and Ronnie Thomas," the Blacksburg-driver said. "You're just sitting here watching thinking, 'God, I'd do anything to be out there.' Ten years ago I was thinking and now I'm winning."

Since that big screen viewing, Mitcham has craved nothing but racing. His first racer was a red Go Kart purchased at an old Roses department store. He started competing when he was 12. In five years, Mitcham won two national championships and four state titles driving the tiny gas-guzzlers. Mitcham bought his first late model stock car from fellow Motor Mile driver Tam Topham while still a sophomore at Blacksburg High School.

He would play football for the Bruins as a wide receiver/defensive back on Friday nights, and then race anywhere he could on Saturday nights.

In 2000, Mitcham made his debut at the track then known as the New River Valley Speedway. He competed in a handful of races during that season and the 2001 campaign. The limited action was large part because of the state of his driving skills then.

"We'd hit walls, we'd hit cars," Mitcham said with a chuckle. "It was rough."

In 2002, Mitcham raced in his first full late model season at the Radford oval track, finishing seventh overall in points. He decided then to drive in the United Auto Racing Association's Southern Touring Asphalt Racing Series last year to gain more experience.

"You always want to get better," said Mitcham, who volunteers as a firefighter when he is not under the hood of his 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. "If you honestly care about something, you obviously want to improve."

Improve he did. Mitcham won UARA Rookie of the Year honors and finished fourth overall in points. He also managed to squeeze in two races at the NRV Speedway, winning one. He entered this season brimming with confidence.

"He's doing exactly what he needs to do to be a champion," said Jason Merriman, who grew up racing Go Karts with Mitcham.

Merriman should know. Last year, a 19-year-old Merriman sped to the NRV late model title. He lacks the financial support to race this year. Instead, Merriman offers advice and cheers in the pits with the rest of Mitcham's crew.

"He's got top-flight equipment and he's a top-flight driver," said Merriman, who occasionally serves as Mitcham's spotter.

Confidence seems to ooze from Mitcham's pores. His swagger makes you think he'll win every time out. He is as cool as they come at the track.

"I'm probably the most relaxed driver," Mitcham said.

Before a race, Mitcham's a safe bet to be anywhere but near his car. He's usually busy chatting in the grandstands or playing video games in a trailer with Deiny. During a race, his mind often wanders away from the wheel.

Recalling a recent discussion with his spotter Kevin Conner, Mitcham said: "We'll talk about people up in the stands like hot girls like, 'Dude, check her out.' And I'll be like, 'Hold up, I got to make another lap.'"

The easygoing Mitcham says his only fear on the track is not performing up to his high standards. Not once has he ever been scared of getting hurt. Mitcham's care-free attitude is not to be mistaken with arrogance, however. Following Chad Harris' victory Saturday night, Mitcham was the first driver to run over and offer his congratulations.

"To run with the Frank Deinys, the Chad Harrises, the Tink Reedys, that's a real honor for me," he said.

Blacksburg Plumbing is one of Mitcham's sponsors. His mother and father, Bonnie and Clyde Mitcham (fitting names for parents of one known for high-speed chases), own the business.

"In all honesty, my dad is the backbone," Mitcham said. "My dad never gave up on me."

Said Clyde Mitcham: "It's very exciting to watch him do so well."

But not as exciting as where Mitcham hopes to be down the road.

"I'd like to be a star," he said. "I want to race at the top and I want to win. I want to be known. I want to race. It's become a part of my life now. I feel like that's something I have to do. Someday I'd like to start the Daytona 500."

In other words, he still dreams of being Cole Trickle.