It’s not everyday you see an independent bike shop sponsor a race car at the Daytona International Speedway, but that’s what happened last August at the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Wheelhouse Bicycle of St. Louis was on the hood of Spencer Boyd’s No. 52 Chevrolet Camaro for Jimmy Means Racing. Boyd and the owner of the shop, Nathan Leventhal, are childhood friends.
“Nathan and I met in Kindergarten at Willow Brook Elementary,” said the 26-year-old professional race car driver. “We shared our dreams together as kids…but it’s pretty surreal to be here so many years later actually achieving them. We’re both pretty giddy about this race.”
Boyd and Leventhal were inseparable growing up until the former moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, in order to chase his racing dreams. They have remained friends despite the distance.
“We raced everything as kids. We were competitive, but I would beat him on the bike,” said Leventhal. “I’ve always been in the family business, started by my parents Hal and Jeanne Leventhal in the early ’80s. We’re a local shop that takes care of our community, but when Spencer told me about this race, we couldn’t turn down the opportunity to show the world what a couple of kids from St. Louis can do.”
Wheelhouse Bicycle, located at 770 North New Ballas Road, is around the corner from where the duo grew up. It carries products from top brands in the industry such as Giant, Liv, Cervélo, and Niner. Wheelhouse also has a full-service shop with certified mechanics, repair area, fit studio, and coffee bar.
“Without the backing from people that believe in my dreams, none of this would be possible,” added Boyd.
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