Every year, hundreds of local race car drivers see their dreams of hitting the NASCAR series come up short. And many times, it has nothing to do with their talent or ability. As our Brian Dwyer reports, it's all about opportunities and he caught up with one driver who's getting his.

WATERTOWN, N.Y. -- Locally, he's done all he can. Now, Watertown teenager Brandon Sweet is getting that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Signed by Watertown businessman Robert Freeman to create Freeman Racing Enterprises. A racing team based both here in Watertown and now, North Carolina.

Freeman signed on with a NASCAR nationwide team down south, giving Sweet a chance to live and work in NASCAR country, with NASCAR experience and equipment, as he preps for his first year in the USAR Pro Cup Series that races up and down the East Coast. It's kind of a NASCAR minor league series.

"It gives me more drive and determinations to go out there and know that I have good equipment," Sweet said. "I have a good setup and I have good guys behind me. Now it's up to me. Now I've got to do it."

"Brandon is a great kid with a lot of talent," Freeman Racing Enterprises owner Robert Freeman added. "Without the support of some local entities here, I felt that it would be a waste for him to go on and move on and represent the area he comes from."

Sweet will race in the USAR this year, mixing in some ARCA races as well. That's the next level up. Then, if all goes as planned, in a few years, on to NASCAR.

"Our goal is to get as much seat time as possible and to learn as much as possible," Sweet's Crew Chief Mark Webb said of the 2010 season. "We want to sit on the pole at a few places and hopefully get some top fives, top tens and maybe even a win."

To do that, Freeman Racing Enterprises wanted one guy in particular. The former pro cup crew chief for drivers like Joey Lagano and Trevor Bayne. Freeman got his man.

"I've been very fortunate to come up with the young kids," New Director of Car Operations for Freeman Racing Enterprises Keith Hinkein said. "I really enjoy that because it's more of an accomplishment if you can take these younger drivers and bring them up."

Sweet's also got a guy in his Watertown garage who knows him better than anyone.

"It's my job as a his father and GM of the team to try and get him down the right road and make sure he's doing the right things," Brandon's Father Brian, the General Manager of Freeman Racing Enterprises, added.

"My number one thing, other than racing, is my family and the best part about this is I've got my family doing it," Brandon Sweet said about his dad. "I'm not out pursuing this by myself."

Sweet will be in Florida for Race Week at Daytona in a week or so. His car will be decked out with 10th Mountain Division stickers. A great way, Freeman says, to say thanks and bring some national attention to the soldiers of Fort Drum.

For more information about Brandon or Freeman Racing Enterprises, you can visit their website at www.brandonsweet.com or www.freemanracingenterprises.com.