Getting to Know Modified Driver Mike Douglas Jr.
In that long line of second generation racecar drivers, Mike Douglas, Jr. has taken up where his dad left off. Don’t let that black stealthy looking modified fool you, Mike is truly one of the good guys of racing.
1. Current divisions – Tour Type Modified, VMRS, Tri-Track Series.
2. Name – Mike Douglas Jr.
3. Age/date of birth – 34 – 3/26/80
4. Hometown – Auburn, New Hampshire
5. Occupation – Automotive Technician .
6. Spouse – Wife, Heather
7. Car number and significance – number 23 – when my father started racing, my mother’s age was 23, so he took that. I’m not allowed to tell you how long dad’s been involved in racing.
8. Chassis – SPACFO by Ken Barry
9. Engine builder – Douglas Automotive/Kingsley Machine.
10. Owner – Mike Douglas Sr.
11. Crew chief – if the car is well, it’s dad. If it’s off, it was my setup, so he says.
12. Crew – Dad – Cynthia Tebbets – Corey Casagrande – Alex Grab – and we’re always looking.
13. Sponsors – Douglas Automotive – Tisdell Transmission – Total Seal Piston Rings – Kingsley Machine –Synergy Signs – Snap-On Tools by Pellerin Motorsports – Powder Keg Powder Coatings.
14. Favorite food – I don’t really have a favorite food, but my favorite restaurant has to be “The Columbia” at St. Armands in Sarasota, Florida.
15. Favorite music – Misfits – Marilyn Manson – ICP – Independent Label Hardcore.
16. Favorite movie – Senna, hands down.
17. Favorite sport, other than in racing –There are sports other than racing? NHL (go Bolts and Devils) – NFL (go Bucs)
18. Favorite track – has to be Star or Seekonk Speedway’s, can’t go wrong with fast 1/4 milers.
19. Years in racing – it’s a life sentence at this point, no parole either.
20. How did you get started – my father raced ISMA, Oswego and Star supermodifieds for many years, so as a kid that’s all I ever wanted to do. I do miss the smell of methanol.
21. How long with current series. – I have been with the MRS since the second year, took a break and ran locally at Star Speedway. Now back running a limited schedule with the MRS, as well as the Tri Track Series.
22. Best career finish – 1st.
23. What other divisions/championships- Hobby Stocks at Lee USA, then move right up to tour type. Never really cared much for winning a championship, big races and wins are what most people remember, I believe.
24. What would you like to accomplish in racing – to be known as a well respected racer on the track, as well as the paddock area. Possibly dip my feet into rally cars at some point.
25. What other driver/person has inspired you, if any. There’s a few, The Mad Dog (Mike Sr.)- Ayrton Senna-Dwight Jarvis – Jimmy Shampine – Alan Kulwicki.
26. What is the best advice you ever got – Not advice, but more of a quote that I always keep in mind on the track. “The main thing is to be yourself and not allow people to disturb you to be different because they want you to be different. You gotta be yourself. Many times you throw a mistake due to your own personality or your own character or from interference that you get along the way, then you learn from your mistakes and get better.” Ayrton Senna
Sources: Jim Snape/YankeeRacer.com