About Us

The Pace Lap is a blog devoted to NASCAR and its’ related events, written and designed by two of NASCAR’s youngest reporters. The Pace Lap was started in mid March 2011 by Branden Williams after inspirations both at and away from the track. While covering the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Branden met Nathan Butler, a college student from Charlotte, North Carolina. A friendship was immediately established, leading to a business relationship as well when Nathan was brought on board to The Pace Lap.

The Pace Lap has since expanded, bringing in four additional writers. Nathan and Branden would like to welcome Brian Wiggins, Sharon Williams, Mark Schafer and Peter Fournier!

About Nathan Butler (Nathan_Butler92)

Nathan at Richmond International Raceway

Residing in Charlotte, North Carolina, Nathan has created a passion for not only writing but sharing his love of NASCAR with the rest of the NASCAR community. Nathan began to write for this own blog in 2009, before joining forces with several other websites, including: SpeedwayMedia.com and Onpitroad.com. Both of those websites are members of the NASCAR Citizen Journalist Media Corps.

In May of 2011, Nathan joined forces with Branden Williams while covering the Coca-Cola 600 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Realizing Branden was the same age, Nathan quickly inquired about the opportunity to join a site in its growing stages.

Nathan is currently a student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, pursuing his undergraduate degree in Mass Media Communication Studies, while minoring in Journalism.

Currently, Nathan is in the Senior Writer/Co-Founder role for ThePaceLap.com, but is also the assistant sports editor/primary football beat writer for the Niner Times (student run newspaper).

You can follow Nathan on Twitter (@Nathan_Butler92) or join his Facebook page (Search: Nathan Butler – Writer/Journalist).

If you have any questions, please email Nathan (NathanButler@ThePaceLap.com)

About Brian Wiggins (@Brian_Wiggins)

Brian Won the 2011 Animal 330 Championship

A fan of NASCAR ever since he can remember, Brian has a very strong passion for the sport thanks to an introduction to it from his family at the age of three years old. Always being a student of the sport and trying to grow his knowledge, Brian avidly studies statistics and facts on a regular basis. Growing up, he wanted to try his hands at making it in racing. And in 2006, he began to race go karts at Ravenna Motor Park, winning his first track championship in the Animal 330 class in 2011.

Currently, he is majoring in Broadcasting at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan with plans of moving to North Carolina when he is finished earning his degree in Michigan. Brian will look for opportunities either in television, radio and writing – as long as it’s for the great sport we all love, NASCAR.

About Mark Schafer (@Mark_Schafer)

Mark Schafer

Mark Schafer was born and raised in Wyoming. His love for NASCAR started in the late 90’s when he and his older brother would pass many Sunday afternoons watching the races on television. As he grew up Mark’s passion for the sport of NASCAR continued to grow, even though he had never been to a live race. Mark started covering NASCAR for Bleacherreport.com in 2008 and has moved on to write for other sites to continue to covering his “dream job” of being a NASCAR writer.

Mark Schafer earned an associate degree in Mass Media from Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne, Wyo. in 2011. He is currently studying Journalism and Mass communication at Iowa State University. He is also a Sports Writer for the Iowa State Daily. After graduation, Mark hopes to move to North Carolina to continue covering NASCAR.

About Peter Fournier (@P_Fournier)

Peter Fournier

Peter Fournier is a multi-skilled freelance writer who specializes in covering prep sports, local news and column writing.

Born and raised in California, Fournier covered the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway last year along with the IndyCar Grand Prix of Sonoma.

Fournier is currently the Daily Republic’s San Francisco 49ers columnist and feature writer.

In addition to the NFL and motorsports, Fournier has covered the California State high school basketball championships, PBA bowling, prep sports and the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl.