Bickford, whose cousin is NASCAR Hall of Famer and retired four-time Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon, has fought through a layoff of more than two years to get another opportunity. He hasn’t raced on a regular basis since the conclusion of his second full-time K&N West season with Bruncati in 2015.
The 20-year-old admitted that being on the sidelines for so long has been tough, but it has also motivated him.
“I take it as life experience. Everything that happens to you in life is just part of a learning curve that hopefully will help you to build a better future,” said Bickford. “The things that I’ve had happen have made me a better person. It’s not like I ever took what I was doing for granted, but you certainly treasure the moments that you were in a race car so much more when you’re out of it like I have been.”
“I feel like I’m a more well-rounded person now than I was then. I know I have a future besides that, but I’m more motivated than ever to go out and perform. (Racing) is what I dreamed of doing as a kid. It’s my complete passion and what I want to do for the rest of my life. I’ve had to go out, hustle and become my own independent person … and when I get back in the car this summer, I know I’m going to be that much better for it.”
After earning two K&N West wins – one each in 2014 and 2015 – and finishing fifth in points during his rookie season on tour, Bickford appeared poised to be one of NASCAR’s next young guns to hit the national level before sponsorship woes and circumstances dried up his opportunities.
Knowing he has a second chance to climb back towards the top, Bickford has a vision for getting back toward the national scene and believes he can get there with the right support.
“Hopefully this opportunity will lead to some connections that will propel us into next season with some momentum and help me build some bridges to get back even higher in my career,” Bickford said. “I still have a desire and a dream to break into the national levels, in the Truck Series or even higher, and I know this is just the first step to hopefully accomplishing those goals.”
“Every time I’m at a race track I can see those possibilities and it motivates me to make them a reality. We’re just going to take this deal one race at a time and see where it leads.”
