Professional stockcar driver Ray Black Jr. is fueled by the need for speed — and the need for depth. When not behind the wheel of the No. 07 ScubaLife.com Chevrolet Camaro, he clocks in as a commercial diver, following in the footsteps of his father, Capt. Ray Black Sr. The family business is underwater welding; Black Sr. owns the CDA Technical Institute in Jacksonville, Florida. In between the rush of racing and working on the ocean floor, Black Jr. finds time for fun dives in the Florida Keys.

Q: You first experienced scuba at the Deep Water Training Center in Ocala, Florida. The conditions, cold and dark, could have spooked a new diver, and yet, you were hooked. Why?

Black: I hate the cold — that was my only problem. But I like darkness because it leaves room for the imagination. If I can’t see what’s under or behind me, I get that mysterious feeling. I’ve always been drawn to that. Plus, if you’re going to learn, the best way is in situations where you’re not 100 percent comfortable.

Q: Your dad is the reason you dive. Tell me about that.

RB: When I was 12, my dad took me diving in a pool. I remember that first time I hit the water with diving gear. I just wanted to keep going and my dad kept pulling me back up to the surface. Ever since then, I’ve always been ready to go.

Q: And you still are. Now you’re a commercial diver. What was your first deep dive like?

RB: The first time I dove past 200 feet, I was with my dad. We went to 220 feet. Having my dad there made me feel safe — even invincible. Nitrogen narcosis started kicking in, but I didn’t mind it. That is a moment where you’re either going to love it or hate it. I ended up loving it.

Q: Ever lose your cool at depth?

RB: I had a neck seal leak on a drysuit at 130 feet. The guy who’d worn the suit before me had a bigger neck. It wasn’t too bad though. You start venting it and turn your head up.

Q: You didn’t end the dive?

RB: Nah. It’s too much of a process to get to the surface, and we were almost done with the job.

Q: You’ve mentioned that diving has taught you a few life lessons. Such as?

RB: With racing, you know the cars are safe and you trust your crew and yourself, but just as you check your own scuba gear before every dive, I check the car myself.

Q: For you, is scuba diving similar to car racing in terms of the rush?

RB: They’re pretty different. With recreational diving, I’m calm and relaxed. The calmer I am, the more I soak in. It becomes a tranquil moment.

Q: And you’re not tranquil in the car.

RB: No. In racing, there is no calm. As soon as they strap me in, I totally change as a person. Normally, I’m very outgoing, jumping around and causing trouble. But in the car, I don’t say much. There’s so much focus.

Q: You’ve mentioned diving in the Florida Keys. Any highlights?

RB: Off Key Largo, we had a hammerhead sighting. Those are the fun moments, when you see the big stuff. You need to have something going on to get the blood rushing. It’s why I’m always swimming around, looking for at least a nurse shark.

Q: You’re racing career is sponsored by ScubaLife. Do you feel like an ambassador of sorts for scuba?

RB: I don’t know if I am or not, but I’d like to be. I like to share my passion with people. I think this year the ScubaLife team and I might take some fans out diving.

Want more interviews from the dive world? Check out our talks with shark photographer Michael Muller and sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor.