Michael Mucha, Nine-Year-Old 4th Grader, Races 75 MPH+ in Half-Scale NASCAR Super Cup Cars

Originally published by the Bolingbrook Bugle November 2016 by Mark Gregory @Hear_The_Beard :

In a way, Michael Mucha is a lot like many other boys his age.

He enjoys playing baseball, skateboarding and anything else that may catch the interest of a 9-year-old in the fourth grade.

Then there are the ways Michael is far different than his classmates.

None of them have their own web page, or Twitter handle, or YouTube channel AND spend weekends driving around a track at 75 miles per hour.

Yes – driving!

Despite only being nine years old, Michael is the driver of the No. 75 Chevrolet Super Cup - or
Mini Cup – car in the Central States Region Series.

Super Cup Cars look the same as a stock car one would see in NASCAR races, only half the size.

The cars are equipped with full tube chassis, rack and pinion steering, upper and lower control arms and
fully adjustable coil over shocks both front and rear. The driver is protected with a full cage and a five point safety harness, making the cars one of the safest forms of racing available.

“It is real racing in half scale. The speeds are up there, too,” said his dad, Randy, who serves as chief
mechanic, spotter, social media coordinator to name a few roles. “He will go 75 on the main straight at Grundy and they will keep their foot in it because the way these cars are designed, they are designed to
go fast. If they go slow, it takes time to wind them back up because they are not shifting. They run whatever gear is in it for the track.”

While the cars are half scale versions of professional stock cars, they are not only driven by half scale
versions of the drivers.

At nine years old, Michael is the youngest in the series, but the oldest is age 55, with all age ranges in between.

While drivers are allowed to start at age eight, this is Michael’s first year behind the wheel after spending a
few years as a fan.

“We have been going for the last few years to watch – mostly at Grundy County because it’s close to home,”
Randy said. “Even before we went, he has loved cars since he has played with Matchbox cars. Most of the tracks open the pits to the fans after the races and that was when we first realized that they existed and what
they were.”

Being their first year as a race team, Randy and Michael have had to rely on other drivers for advice and

guidance along the way.

“Everyone is great. We have had more help this year being new and learning about the cars and tracks. They have all been so helpful,” Randy said. “We have had a couple of issues along the way that are rookie mistakes – not on his part – on my part. I am learning how these things are built and what to look out for during set
up.”

Once the team got the hang of it, Michael flourished.

“We are in it for real,” Randy said. “He has been on the lead lap for almost the entirety of
almost every race this year, which is phenomenal for a rookie. We have talked to guys that run this series or parents of drivers in the series and they have all said they are amazed at his progress.”

That progress will continue next year as the Mucha’s have already purchased a brand new car for next season, however, when they signed up for the 2016 season Michael only had to have a one year commitment to his parents.

“Our deal with him for everything – whether it was racing or baseball or gymnastics or skateboard lessons or
swimming or any of the different things we have signed him up for, the deal has always been that he would follow through for the length of whatever we committed to,” Randy said. “We don’t quit.”

So, while Michael plans to continue his racing career at least one more year, he is does not have his sights set
on a seat in a NASCAR just yet – for now he simply races because “it’s fun.”

His dad, however, sees a life impact in the sport, no matter how long Michael stays in the seat.

“For most people, it is an exciting thing to get your license and finally be able to drive a car at 16,” Randy said.
“For him, it will just be, ‘OK, I finally have the thing in my wallet but I have been driving for years." Of course we will do whatever number of hours the law says, but this will only make him a better driver on the road.”

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Michael Mucha is also entering the 2017 Search For a Champion competition #TeamChampion in an effort to gain another sponsorship. Click here to view his entry.

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Valley View School District published an article on Michael Mucha at Career Day at Wood View Elementary School in October.

Here is the brand new car that Michael Mucha will be running for the 2017 season:

For more information, please visit www.michaelmucha.com