VAY — A neighborly encounter may be opening up a promising career path for a Bonner County teen.

Paul Gladden was new to the area when Bette Irvine and her family offered to help him move into his place. Irvine’s son, Robert — who also goes by Adam — was pressed into service and came away with an offer to serve as a pitman for Gladden Racing, which competes on the National Hot Rod Association circuit.

The Priest River High School senior, whose been known get his hands dirty beneath the hood of his 1977 Chevrolet pickup, took Gladden up on his offer and has already attended the 2018 NRHA Winternationals in Pomona, Calif., a massive, high-profile event.

“I always like working on my own rigs,” the 18-year-old said.

Irvine only had a passing interest in racing before meeting Gladden.

“I watched it once in a while,” he said. “I like doing stuff more than watching stuff. I like being a part of it.”

Gladden said the racing offers quite the spectacle for fans, but it doesn’t compare to being part of the action.

“Being on the crew is an even bigger deal,” said Gladden.

Irvine served as an assistant mechanic as well as packing the parachutes drivers deploy to slow the powerful drag racers to a stop, tuning up engines between races, in addition to fueling and cleaning Gladdens’ two race cars.

Winternationals also gave Irvine his first trip outside the state and first trip on an airliner. He also was seen on Fox Sports, which provided coverage of the event.

Bette Irvine couldn’t be more pleased with the turn of events.

“By meeting the right person, he got the chance of a lifetime,” she said.

Gladden took up racing in 2003, after graduating from Frank Hawley’s Racing School.

“I’ve always loved it,” said Gladden.

Gladden, a Ford devotee, races a top sportsman 1970 Mustang Mach 1 and a 2,000-horsepower beast that holds the fastest/quickest record for naturally aspirated top dragster. The latter vehicle covered a quarter-mile in 6.3 seconds at a staggering 218.87 mph.

Both vehicles also serve as rolling tributes to the armed services. The Mustang has airbrushed images saluting U.S. Air Force and Army Air Corps, while the dragster honors all branches of the military.

Gladden’s son and father are veterans, while his wife’s father also served.

“The military has always been near and dear to our hearts,” said Gladden.

Gladden said Irvine, meanwhile, may have a future ahead of him in racing.

“There is potential for him,” Gladden said.

Irvine said he plans to obtain a post-secondary education in welding said he also envisions a future in the sport.

“I could see it,” he said.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.