From left, Akiba is Garland Moore, Nina Mangano, Kevin McPherson and Timmer Geurin. [Photo provided by Doug Schwarz]

When Garland Moore was a little kid, everyone at his school knew he wanted to be a NASCAR driver.

The sport was a big part of his childhood and his family would frequent races in the '90s. It wasn't until much later that one racer emerged as an inspiration to Moore's Okie music outfit, Akiba. His name was Alan Kulwicki, and he's got quite an underdog story.

"That was ultimately what motivated me to take my favorite influences and compose what has become my favorite song on the record," Moore told The Oklahoman. "... Even though we had written songs prior, some of which even made it to the record. To me, 'Alan Kulwicki' kind of feels like our 'first' song. Or at least, the first song in which Akiba began to take shape and grow an identity."