Richard Perez was born in the United States and spent his early years between Venezuela and South Florida before coming back to the US at 19 on his own with nothing but ambition and a wrench.

His first car was a 2000 Ford Focus, heavily modified to over 400 horsepower, with a complete engine overhaul by Focus Power. That car became the foundation of something bigger. Years of car brotherhood in South Florida, weekend drives, builds, and a community of people who lived for their machines.

Then came the Navy. 13 years of service across submarine operations, intelligence, and expeditionary support. Discipline, precision, mission focus. Skills that translate directly to the race track.

After separating, Richard founded Centerline Racing, a grassroots road racing team built entirely from scratch. The Spec Miata came in cosmetically destroyed and mechanically bare. Three months later, it was race-ready. Every repair, every modification done by hand.

The passion that started in Venezuela at an open-wheel race as a child, watching Marlboro-liveried cars, never left. It just took 40 years to find the right track.

At 43, Richard Perez, with Maud Perez, is exactly where he always knew he would end up. On the grid.