Mike Kekich

When you ask Mike Kekich why he loves to race, he simply says, "I have been around it my whole life, it is in my blood". Mike says he is living out his life long dream to race 410 sprint cars.  In his 13 years of racing these adrenaline pumping machines, friends, family and fans have cheered him on as he checked off one milestone after another.  The most noteworthy include the 2002 Sharon Speedway Championship, which was the first year he raced his way into his first World Of Outlaw A Main feature event.

Born on December 15th, 1962 to Mr. & Mrs. Paul Kekich, Mike has fully embraced the Kekich family tradition of dirt track racing. His father, Paul "Putzy" Kekich raced modifieds and sprints from 1962 until 1981. Paul is a well know racer in the region, battling such greats as Lou Blaney, Ralph Quarterson, Buddy Cochran, and Bill Banick.  Paul is retired from racing, and his career as an Operating Engineer, but he still stays very busy helping Mike with the race team. Mike's brother Doug raced Micro Sprints for 5 years, and also made the jump to the 410 ranks.

Mike resides in Hermitage PA with his wife and two children. Shelly is Mike's bride of over 20 years. Not only does she support Mike in his racing career, but she is also actively involved with the race team. As if that weren't enough, after working her regular job with the Hermitage School District, she hustles off to the track every Saturday to work the pit gate. Mike's daughter Lindsey is in college now, and she picked Mike's number when he moved up to sprints. At only 16 years old, Mike's son Adam has numerous feature wins and a track championship in box kart racing under his belt, and earned Rookie of the Year honors his first year in a Limited Sprint Car. As you can see, racing is indeed a tradition in the Kekich family.

Mike is employed by the Operating Engineers Local #66, where he has been for over 20 years. Mike enjoys spending time with his family and friends, but you won't find much evidence of other hobbies. Ask Mike what he does every day, and he will tell you "I work, I sleep, and I race. I tried fishing once, but the boat just wasn't fast enough".
 

Racing Career Highlights

5 years Modified Go Cart Racing

4 years Micro Sprint Racing

• 1995 Hickory Speedway points championship with 5 feature wins and 20 top 10 finishes.
• 1995 Pittsburgh Circle Track Club Championship

13 years 410 Sprint Car Racing

• 1997 – 11^th in points at Sharon Speedway
• 1998 – 5^th in points at Sharon Speedway
• 1999 – 2^nd in Points at Sharon Speedway, 3^rd in points at Mercer Raceway Park and an Outstanding Achievement Award for 15 top 10 finishes out of 16 races and no DNF’s.
• 2000 – 7^th in Points at Sharon Speedway, 10^th in points at Mercer Raceway Park
• 2001 – 4^th in points at Sharon Speedway with first career win at Sharon on July 20^th, 6^th in points at Mercer Raceway Park.
• 2002 – The New Sharon Speedway Sprint Car Points/Track Champion with 2 feature wins and all top 5 finishes with the exception of one 6^th place finish.
• 2003 – 3^rd in points at The New Sharon Speedway, with 2 feature wins and 8 top 5 finishes.
• 2004 – 2^nd in points at The New Sharon Speedway with no DNF’s, All top 10 finishes and 6 top 5 finishes.  Two WOO A Main’s, one ASCOC A Main.
• 2005 – 2^nd in points at The New Sharon Speedway with 6 heat race wins, 8 top 5 finishes and 12 top 10 finishes. 
• 2006 – 3^rd in points at The New Sharon Speedway with 1 Feature Win, 9 top 5 finishes and 11 top 10 finishes.
• 2007 – 3^rd in points at The New Sharon Speedway with 2 heat race wins, 4 top 5 finishes, and 13 top 10 finishes.
• 2008 – 3^rd in points at The New Sharon Speedway with  2 heat race wins, 5 top 5 finishes, and 9 top 10 finishes.
• 2009 -- 5^th in points at Sharon Speedway with 2 heat race wins, 3 top 5 finishes and 9 top 10 finishes.

Mike is featured in the February edition of Flat Out Magazine!

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