You have heard the complaint: "There is nothing for me to do." It comes from the mouths of many teenagers, not only in El Paso, but around the country.

The complaint is, of course, not true. The high school extracurricular activities that teenagers can get involved in run the gamut from band to computers, dance, debate and speech, theater, photography or a multitude of sports.

A recent graduate of Cathedral High School is enamored with the No. 1 spectator sport in the United States, NAS CAR. Auto racing brings to mind fast cars, high-speed turns, split-second decision making and the competition closing fast in your rearview mirror. For race fans, the greatest sound in the world is that of a several-hundred-horsepower engine churning beneath the hood. For them, it's better than being on the sideline at the Superbowl.

Jonathan Barcena, 19, is a student at El Paso Community College majoring in marketing. He recently signed on with the Racing Dynamiks team based in Virginia. He will soon be competing for checkered flags in NASCAR's Whelen Series for 2009, along with rookie of the year and track championship titles at ACE Speedway in Elon, N.C. The series will run until September at the four-tenths-of-a-mile paved oval with 12-degree banked turns.

Barcena says, "The track changes from race to race in terms of distance. However, the ultimate goal each time is still to cross the finish line first."

Barcena began his love of race cars and racing at age 6 as he watched

his dad John Barcena work on his Legends Car at his home. Jonathan traveled with his dad to numerous races in the city at the El Paso Speedway Park, Tangerine and Montana, which still draws fans.

John Barcena always found time to involve his son in his hobbies and love of race cars. But he also coached his son in basketball at St. Raphael's School before Jonathan attended Cathedral.

His love and passion for race cars accelerated to another level when he raced almost every weekend in the Legend Car Series with his own car, starting at age 15.

The elder Barcena says of his son, "He can definitely succeed at the next level. Many parents may want their children to be a basketball or football player, but he is in his right element and I am very fortunate to be there with him every step of the way."

Jonathan raced against his dad for four years, winning most of the time, but each time learning a different valuable lesson from his dad, who taught him all he knew.

"My dad getting me involved in racing was the greatest gift my dad could give to me, and along with the many sacrifices he has made in his life, makes me proud that he is my dad and a very special person."

Jonathan has a younger sister, Brianna, and an emotional story about his older sister Erika, who passed away in 1997. His mom is Dana Barcena. The two Barcena race cars each have a decal that says, "Protected by my guardian angel, Erika." It's a constant reminder of her.

Auto racing can be risky, "but you try to keep it as far back in your mind as possible," says Jonathan. "And I hope to move up in ranks to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series which is the elite, the Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart class of racing."

Barcena's new Racing Dynamiks car stays in Martinsville, Va. The team's Web site shows it will be a Monte Carlos in solid black, with white lettering outlined in red -- No. 22. He will have a crew chief and five crew members to keep his car in top shape.

Barcena reached this level by being named the 2004 National Champion and a four-time state champion from 2004-2007.

Racing Dynamiks President Travis Sharpe says, "Barcena's ability to perform and his Hispanic heritage could make him one of the top up-and-coming minority drivers in the country."

Jonathan Barcena is now looking for sponsors who can help him keep his dream and love of the sport alive. Information about Jonathan Barcena's accomplishments and sponsorship opportunities can be found www.barcena racing.com.