Late model driver Mike Sweeney knows his way to victory lane. He’s racked up championships at a pair of Pennsylvania ovals — three at the 1/3-mile Evergreen Raceway in Drums (2008, ’09, ’20) and two at ¼-mile Mahoning Valley Speedway in Lehighton (2016 and ’17). However, 2021 marked Sweeney’s first winless season in 12 years. He broke that drought with his first victory at the ½-mile Jennerstown Speedway.
“We had good runs, so we never really doubted that [a win] would come,” said Sweeney, 42, of Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania. “The last race of the season, we were leading the King of the Green [at Evergreen Raceway]. With five laps to go … we ended up with a flat.”
Sweeney started making the four-hour trek to Jennerstown Speedway after competing in the track’s signature event, the Motor Mountain Masters. The ½-mile track offered a challenge to the veteran racer more accustomed to bullrings.
“It was hard work to transform this ¼-mile driver to run with those guys,” Sweeney said. “I had to forget what I knew and reteach myself. With the setup guy and the driver being the same guy, it got a little difficult at times.”
However, Sweeney figured it out. With a win under his belt, he can now head to Jennerstown Speedway with a bit more confidence. The distance prevents Sweeney from racing full-time at Jennerstown Speedway. Him and his wife, Sarah, have a six-year-old daughter, Harper. Sweeney works as a union millwright while his father and righthand man, Vince, is on call for the local water authority. Nevertheless, Sweeney feels the long haul to Jennerstown Speedway is worth it.
“Everybody wants racing to be a success there, from the cooks, to the general manager, to the owners,” said Sweeney of Jennerstown Speedway. “They welcome you with open arms — and it’s not just me. They really appreciate everyone.”
Sweeney’s proven himself as one of the finest late model racers of his area. He could pursue other hobbies, but he enjoys bringing the family and the camper to Jennerstown Speedway.
“What’s the difference if we don’t race and go camping?” said Sweeney. “I spend the same amount of diesel fuel for the camper. We make a weekend of it [at Jennerstown Speedway]. My daughter gets to play with other kids in the pits. It’s kind of a getaway, where we get to race at the same time.”
As Mike Sweeney enters the next stage of his career, he looks to race select shows, with most of them at Jennerstown Speedway.
“We can go out [to Jennerstown Speedway], run eight or 10 races, and have some of the greatest memories,” Sweeney said. “Even if we don’t win, you’re running against such top-notch competitors, if you finish in the top-five and you had an enjoyable weekend, that’s what it’s more about at this stage of my career.”
The Outside Groove Executive Editor has covered motorsports since 2000. His many awards include the 2019 Eastern Motorsport Press Association (EMPA) Jim Hunter Writer of the Year and the 2013 Russ Catlin Award for Excellence in Motorsports Journalism.
