Chicora's Miller now racing in 3 divisions
BUFFALO TWP — Mike Miller knows how to pick his friends — and his friend knew to pick him.
Miller, 47, of Chicora, has been racing for 30 years at Lernerville Speedway. Butler resident Ron Thompson has a lot to do with much of that.
“I've known the Thompson family all my life,” Miller said. “I grew up in Butler and Ron's family's house was right near us.
“His dad was involved in racing. I used to ride my bicycle past there, stop in and help clean stuff off while they were working on the car. Ron and I became good friends growing up.”
Thompson wound up driving a Pure Stock for nearly 10 years. He decided to stop driving a race car and start preparing one for his daugher, Christina.
“She had won a go-kart championship and had interest in running a Pure Stock,” Thompson said. “Then she got engaged to be married and everything changed.”
The Pure Stock was prepped and ready.
Miller was available.
He's been driving for Thompson ever since.
“We've had a lot of fun out here,” Thompson said.
Miller won the Pure Stock points championship at Lernerville in 2011. He has 13 career Pro Stock feature wins at the Sarver oval.
The 13th came on the track's Opening Night this season, Miller's first checkered flag in five years.
“That one felt pretty good,” he said.
His racing has expanded over the years as well.
Thompson's wife, Patty, won a raffle for the “Racers for Tots” Late Model car a few years ago. Miller races that car for the family as well.
“We're not quite ready to win with the Late Model yet,” Miller admitted. “I'd like us to get some top-five's with it, though. Hopefully, we can stay in the top five in points. We're getting better.
The same pit crew works on both cars.
Entering racing this weekend, Miller sits in fourth place in points in the Late Model and Pro Stock divisions.
Now he's dabbling in the Sprint car division as well, driving a car owned by Don Garvin.
“He asked me if I'd want to drive for him and I was hesitant,” Miller said. “I had never run a Sprint before and that's a radically different division.
“We went out and practiced. I did a few laps with it and got to feel comfortable enough. We've done three or four races at Mercer and I imagine we'll do a few more.”
While Miller doesn't own any of the cars he races, he's careful to keep the equipment clean.
“We don't have any backup cars and, yeah, that does affect the way you race,” he said. “I pick my spots on when to pass people. I'm only going to be so aggressive. We want to keep these cars on the track.”
(top 10 through Aug. 14)<b>Sprints</b>Carl Bowser 211, A.J. Flick 202, Brandon Spithaler 170, Brandon Matus 169, Jack Sodeman Jr. 165, Dan Kuriger 162, Brent Matus 160, Dan Shetler 158, Michael Bauer 137, John Garvin Jr. 131<b>Late Models</b>Colton Flinner 159, Tyler Dietz 145, Ken Schaltenbrand 133, Mike Miller 116, Kelvin Kohan 110, Gary Lyle 108, Tommy Beck 102, Will Thomas 101, Joshua Powell 96, Jayme Beck 94<b>Modifieds</b>Garrett Krummert 210, John Mollick 199, Rex King Jr. 198, Brian Swartzlander 190, Dave Murdick 175, Rex King 166, Jeremiah Shibngledecker 155, Steve Feder 143, Rick Regalski 135, Tom Glenn 131<b>Pro Stocks</b>Tyler Dietz 253, Corey McPherson 243, Joey Zambotti 230, Mike Miller 227, Brett McDonald 156, Mike Bordt 146, Joe Kelley 142, Chase Lambert 127, Gary Churchfield 125, Douglas Eck 118
