2006 Season Racecars

Figure 8: 1988 Chevy Monte Carlo

Short Tracker: 1990 Mustang

4 cylider Enduro: 1995 Saturn Wagon

2006 Tracks

Raceway Park - Shakopee, MN

09/09/06

Kari's Bio

Since childhood, Kari Miller has been a fan of auto racing.  Miller was introduced to the sport of auto racing by her father, Dave Miller.  Kari currently races in the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series at Raceway Park in Shakopee, MN.  Ironically, Kari’s dad also competed at Raceway Park in the earlier days of the track. 

Watching NASCAR on television and attending the ASA race at the Minnesota State Fair sparked the need for speed.  In 1998 Miller got her first chance to get into a race car.  Her first race car driving experience was in a 1981 Buick Regal in the Bomber Division warmups.  When she was on the track she knew that racing is what she wanted to do. 

Miller finally got her chance to actually race a 1986 Olds Cutlass in the 1999 Bomber Division at Raceway Park in Shakopee, MN. 

1999 also proved to be an exciting year for Miller because she bought a bar and grill in Red Wing, MN.  Since Miller had to devote most of the beginning of the 1999 season to remodeling the bar and opening the business, her racing got put on hold, and she was only able to compete in 8 events.  Despite her lack of track time and driving experience, she was able to capture a heat race win. 

Owning a successful business and working everyday proved to take a slight toll on Miller's passion for racing.  Since everyone knows that the weekends are the busy time for bars and it's also when racing takes place, Miller had to put racing on the back burner each season to take care of business.  

In 2000, Miller was honored to receive the True Value Mechanic of the Year Award for the Bomber Division.  One thing that sets Miller apart from other female drivers is that she actually works on her race car.  She feels that by playing an active role on the mechanics of the car, it makes her a better driver and more in touch with her race car. 

After 2 seasons in the Bomber Division, Miller was ready for a new challenge, so she bought a 1990 Ford Mustang to move up to the Short Tracker Division.  In 2001 when Miller moved into the Short Tracker Division, she had set 2 main goals, to finish in the top 10 season points and receive the Rookie of the Year Title.  Both goals were achieved.  Miller has found that setting attainable goals helps in the weekly competition.

The 2002 & 2003 seasons proved to be challenging because Kari relocated her business in Red Wing and had to start all over again.  Putting business before racing, Miller had to miss a few races.

Despite business obligations, Miller was still able to capture 1 Feature Race win and 3 Heat Race wins in 2002.  Miller ended the 2003 season with 1 Feature Race win and 7 Heat Race wins.  In 2003 she was also nominated for the Craftsman Mechanic of the Year Award.  Miller has proven that qualified women can compete in racing as well as take care of business.

In 2004 Miller opened another new business.  Miller had to miss several weeks of racing due to business obligations that had her traveling out of state.  The 2004 season was one that Miller was happy to put behind her as it was the first season she didn't win any races. 

2005 once again proved to be another challenging year for Miller in the Short Tracker Division because she started another new business.  Miller opened and managed Coffee Cats Cafe in Chaska, MN.  Miller was able to capture several heat race wins in the Short Tracker Division.

The 2006 season has been the most challenging season yet.  Kari encountered many difficulties, as her long-term relationship with Troy came to an end in early 2006.  Kari set out to race a full season in both the Short Tracker Division and Figure 8 Division, with her focus being on the Figure 8s.  The Short Tracker gave her many problems from the beginning of the season, so she was only able to compete in a few races but was still able to win a heat race.  Miller had set 2 goals in the Figure 8 Division, to win at least one Feature race and to earn the Rookie of the Year Title.  She has already won one feature race and is currently 13 points out of the lead for Rookie of the Year.

In 2006 Miller was given the opportunity to race a Legends car in a few events.  The Legends Series is another racing venue Kari is extremely interested in being a part of. 

Miller is still seeking sponsorship so that she can move up into the Late Model Division or Legends Series.  Her goals for the 2007 season include racing in the Short Tracker Division to compete for the Championship Title and continue her success in the Figure 8 Division. 

Miller’s goals for the future include racing in the Late Model Division and competing for the Rookie of the Year Title.  She would also like to race at several different tracks to get more experience in car setups.  Miller would also love the opportunity to race in different types of racecars.   

Being a female in a predominantly male sport offers many challenges both on and off the track.  Miller is working hard to change the perception of the role women play in the sport of auto racing.

Miller has gained a lot of respect from the other drivers by spending many hours working on the car and coming back to the track after a crash.  She has been unfortunate in that she has been in the wrong place at the wrong time each year and has hit the wall on the front stretch.  Miller was also involved in a wreck in a 2000 Enduro race where she broke her wrist and suffered several other injuries to her knee and ankle.  Being hurt in a race hasn’t stopped Miller from getting behind the wheel. 

Future goals for Miller include racing in the Late Model Division, Legends Series or any nationally televised traveling circuit, and having her own line of racing merchandise. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS OF KARI MILLER

When did you start racing?

The first time I drove a race car was in July 1998.  I was working for a guy who owned a Bomber Car (a 1981 Buick Regal) and he asked me if I wanted to drive the car once to see if I liked it.  I of course jumped at the chance!  I went out to the track early on Sunday's to drive it alone on the track, then I would drive it in hot laps.  Then in August, I met up with Troy, and he was driving a Bomber car too.  He told me that he wanted to move up to the Hobby Stock Division, and I could drive his Bomber car in the 1999 season. 

How can I get started in racing?

A lot of people tell me that they want to drive a race car because they like to drive fast on the road.  I just tell them that it's a completely different experience on the track.  You have to understand how the car works in different conditions, and how to handle it if you get hit.  It's really not as easy as it sometimes looks.  I always suggest starting in the lowest class of racing so that it won't be as costly to repair your mistakes as you learn.  Once you feel comfortable in the beginner class, then you can think about moving up to other classes.  Remember that the higher you go in class, the more expensive it is, so you have to be prepared for the expenses that will be incurred. 

What is your typical race day routine?

On race day I try to get to the track early enough to get all of my warm ups.  Usually the gates open at 3PM and hot laps start at 3:30, so you really have to hurry up and get unloaded.  It's usually really hectic all the way through the Feature Race time.  There always seems to be more adjustments that need to be made before race time.  Since I race in the Short Tracker Division, I am up first for Heat races and Feature races.  I also don't eat anything before I race, but I drink a lot of water.  After the races I love going to Taco Bell! 

What would you say to people who think auto racing is not a sport?
Auto racing is definitely a sport!  It takes physical endurance and strength to be competitive.  Racing isn't just a physical sport.  We need to be able to think quick and react on the track to any situation.  We also need to think about how to set up the car depending on track conditions.  There is a lot more involved in racing than just getting in the car and driving it around the track.  Although I only get to drive 20 laps in a feature race, I still get out of the car hot and sweaty.  Once you come down from the adrenaline rush you are physically exhausted.  And after working on the car all day in the hot sun, you are definitely ready to relax when it's all over. 

How fast does the race car go?

My race car averages about 65-70 miles per hour on the 1/4 mile asphalt track.  In my class we turn a 1/4 mile in about 16.0-16.2 seconds.  It doesn't seem that fast, but when you mess up your momentum, you can really feel it and see the other's pulling away from you. 

What was your scariest moment in a race car?

I guess I've never actually been "scared".  I did have what you would consider a scary moment though, October 14th, 2000 when I was in a pretty serious wreck in an Enduro race.  I had spun out from oil in turn 4, so I went up high to get out of the path of the oncoming traffic.  I was out of the way, but one of the drivers came up and hit me in the passenger side door of my car.  The impact of the hit was so hard that the side of the car basically collapsed and pushed all the way in to the driver's side.  The impact was so hard that the pedals shifted over and my foot was on the gas pedal which was caught underneath the brake pedal.  My right arm had been hit by the door, which broke my wrist.  The door also hit my knee and bruised it so bad that I couldn't bend it.  They had to red-flag the race and an ambulance had to take me off the track.  I don't remember much of it because it was such a hard hit, but it didn't scare me.  The only thing that really scares me in racing is the possibility of a fire.

Who is your favorite NASCAR Nextel Cup Driver?

I really like all of the driver's.  I am an especially big fan of the "veteran's", like Rusty Wallace, Mark Martin, and Dale Jarrett.  The sport would not be where it's at today without them! 

What was your favorite food when you were growing up?

Macaroni & Cheese and Meatloaf.  When I was in the hospital for surgery when I was 3 & 4, my mom actually made me Mac & Cheese & Meatloaf and brought it to the hospital for me, what a nice mom! 

What is your favorite music?

My favorite music is 80's, mostly 80's rock.  But I also like hip-hop and techno.  I also like classical music to relax.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Spare time?!  Ha!  What's that? 

What is your favorite motto?

"You must first finish the race to finish first", Dick Trickle.

What drivers did you look up to as a new racer?

On the local level I really admired Steve Murgic.  I starting watching him race at Elko in about 1991.  He has been a track champion at Raceway Park and Elko Speedway.  On a national level, I have always admired Dale Earnhardt.    

What was your favorite subject in school?

I really liked spelling/grammar and music.  In elementary school I was in spelling bees and I won a City of Bloomington Spelling Bee and was presented an Award by the Mayor of the city on cable access TV.  I was in orchestra from 5th grade - 12th grade, I played the violin.  I strongly recommend getting involved in a music program.

Other than racing, did you play any sports or get involved in any other activities when you were younger?

I was in cheerleading for 2 years in high school.  I also had a lot of concerts and other events for orchestra.  After high school I played softball on various leagues. 

Do you have any formal education in the automotive field?

No I don't have "formal" training, but I can do just about anything on my race car.  I know how to build a motor and take it apart.  I also know about suspension set up and brakes.  I have learned a lot in the last 8 years and I am looking forward to learning more.  I have Troy to thank for just about everything I know, because he has taught me a lot about racing.  Every week at the track is a new learning experience too.  The best education in my book is the actual experience of doing it.     

If you have any questions you would like to ask Kari, e-mail her at info@karimiller.com.