Christopher Looks to Add Nationals Hardware
Mike Christopher, Jr. wants to add to his collection this weekend. Christopher wants to bring the Legends Asphalt Nationals trophy from Las Vegas to Wolcott, CT. “It would be great to stack that up with all the rest of the trophies this year,” Christopher said.
He set the track record with 25 wins at Waterford (CT) Speedbowl this season in INEX Legend Car competition. He swept both the Wednesday and Saturday titles at the shoreline 3/8 mile oval. He also leads the Young Lions (Asphalt) national championship with 2500 (max) points. Christopher also won twice at Stafford (CT) Motor Speedway, in addition to appearances at Bethel (NY) Motor Speedway.
Christopher drove in the nationals last season at Lake Erie Speedway in Pennsylvania, when he was seventh nationally. Although he did not run well at the 3/8 mile progressively banked oval, Christopher is more confident this time.
“With all the knowledge that I have of this past year, I think we’ll do pretty good, Christopher said.
Christopher said that drivers from California and Nevada will participate, including most of the top five to 10 national drivers. The October 1 entry list has entries from 11 states and Canada for Christopher’s division. The $20,000 event will be broadcast October 17-18 on SpeedShiftTV.com for $20 per day or $35 for two days. The 50-lap feature is scheduled for 6PM local time.
“I know we have a really fast car,” Christopher said. “… If we get the set up right, the goal is obviously to win the race and hopefully win the national championship in doing so. … My dad is pretty sharp on the setup, so I think we’re going to do pretty good out there.”
According to Christopher, the Bullring at Las Vegas has longer straightaways and sharper corners than Waterford.
“I think we’re more in favor of the track that way, since all the guys down south are used to quarter mile tracks and this is bigger,” Christopher said. “So I think we’re going to do really good in Vegas and I know I have a great crew behind me, my dad and my friend Bryan (Narducci) that’s about it. But I think if we get the setup right and I get the track down, we’re going to do really good and hopefully bring back the national championship to New England.”
Christopher attributes his success to his father, Mike Christopher, a former champion in SK Modifieds at Stafford and Thompson. Christopher said his father’s dedication to improving the cars throughout the year was essential. He would work on the cars day and night, even if they already were the quickest car. His father was not satisfied with second or third place, striving to make the car faster.
“Everyone who helped us out this season has been great,” Christopher said. Christopher also wants to thank his grandfather, who helps the team at the track. His supporters include Bryan Narducci (who will join the team in Las Vegas), JJVC, Tick Free Organic Tick Control, Draco Springs, FK Rod Ends, his uncle Ted (Christopher, Stafford’s reigning SK Modified champion), VP Racing Fuels, Mike’s Auto and Body Shop. MSD Construction is buying four tires for the team.
Christopher’s 2014 season was a dominant one compared to 2013, where he went winless and only recorded top fives and podium finishes. 27 wins later, Christopher called it “crazy to think that we’ve overcome so much in that short a time period,” Christopher said. “… This year was probably one of my best years ever in racing for a long time to come down the road, so I’ll probably always reflect back on this 2014 season.”
Christopher is proud to represent New England with Abington, MA driver Nick Lascuola.
“Waterford’s a great place for Legend Car racing and it’s great for Stafford to bring back Legend Cars and race them full time, but representing New England along with Lascuola is pretty cool ’cause we’re the only two or three people. …It’s pretty cool to represent New England and the great tracks that are up there.”
Both of Christopher’s cars are for sale, as he will be driving an SK Light Modified fulltime at Stafford (CT) Motor Speedway next season. Christopher does not expect to pilot a Legend unless Waterford lands the nationals race in 2015, which track promoter Terry Eames stated he was pursuing in February at Racer’s Expo.
He has three top 10s in five SK Light Modified races at Stafford.
“I think we’ve been figuring out that car and we had it going fast,” Christopher said. “…The motor’s been giving us trouble. … It’s been idle for over two years, so I guess we get that refreshed, and it just hasn’t been going down the straightaway and doesn’t give it gas all the time it just lays on its face.
“But I think if we take our notes from this year and carry into next year we’re going to do really good with a new piece and I just gotta thank Mohawk Northeast for the great opportunity, for giving us the car to drive and Tommy Baldwin Racing along with them and I’m really blessed to do that.”
Christopher raced Go Karts before moving to Legend Cars. He said that Legend Cars are the hardest cars to drive.
“Going from a Legend Car to an SK is so much easier with the big tires that actually stick to the track and the power steering’s so much easier,” Christopher said. “It can actually get back to the gas and not spin the tires, unlike the Legends Cars.”
Christopher hopes to replicate Jeremy Sorel’s achievements at Stafford next season, where Sorel won the SK Light Modified championship this year as a rookie.
“I’ve got to go into this year and hopefully do the same and he’ll have more experience,” Christopher said. “He’ll be racing next year, so the more competition the better. It’s more fun that way, but next year I think we’re going to have a really strong hand for next season. We’re going to do really good.”
Sources: Nicholas Teto/YankeeRacer.com