Mike Willard

#22w

Mike Willard drives the #22w Modified Lite Class car.  He lives in Spartanburg, SC.  His home track is Riverside Speedway but he can also be found racing at Modoc Speedway, Laurens and Buffalo Speedways.

Mike's #22w car is the white, blue, red and fluorescent orange Pro Chassis, 1100cc Honda Blackbird.

He started racing in1983 in the Stock 8 Class at Cherokee Speedway because he had attended his first race at Darlington, at the age of 3, and has been hooked ever since.  His first win was in 1988 in the Stock 4 Class at Cherokee Speedway.  During his career he started working on the dirt wedge late models at the Cherokee Speedway in the late 70's.  He worked his way up to being the gas man for the Cheeze-It, Buckshot Racing Pontiac, Pearson & Jones & Spencer until the shop closed.

The thrill of racing for Mike was being able to work on the Busch Series with drivers Shawna Robinson, Randy Porter, Robert Pressley, Jimmy Spencer, Larry Pearson, Buck Shot Jones.  His most exhilarating racing moment was having a shot at a Busch Series win while working with Laughlin Racing, driver Randy Porter, Crew Chief Kenneth Campbell.  We finished 3rd behind Harry Grant and Robert Pressley.  Mike is most proud of having a reputation as a hard/clean driver.

Bobby Allison, Davey Allison, Freddy Smith and Steve Phillips are Mike's racing heroes.

Of racing, Mike says, "Racing is a great sport.  I love it tremendously.  But, for anybody just starting, make sure you have the support of your family.  Remember this...if nothing else keep family first and racing second!".