Mike Stefanik facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mike Stefanik |
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Stefanik at Nazareth Speedway in 2000
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| Born | Michael Paul Stefanik May 20, 1958 Springfield, Massachusetts, U.S. |
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| Died | September 15, 2019 (aged 61) Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. |
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| Achievements | 1989, 1991, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2006 Whelen Modified Tour Champion 1997, 1998 Busch North Series Champion |
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| Awards | 1999 Craftsman Truck Series Rookie of the Year 1997, 1998, 2001 Featherlite Modified Series Most Popular Driver 1995, 1997, 1998, 2004 Busch North Series Most Popular Driver Named one of the "NASCAR Modified All-Time Top 10 Drivers" (2003) NASCAR Hall of Fame (2022) |
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| NASCAR Xfinity Series career | |||||||
| 26 races run over 9 years | |||||||
| Best finish | 56th (2000) | ||||||
| First race | 1992 Budweiser 300 (Loudon) | ||||||
| Last race | 2000 Miami 300 (Homestead) | ||||||
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| NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series career | |||||||
| 26 races run over 2 years | |||||||
| Best finish | 13th (1999) | ||||||
| First race | 1998 Sam's Town 250 (Las Vegas) | ||||||
| Last race | 1999 NAPA Auto Parts 200 (Fontana) | ||||||
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| Statistics current as of September 15, 2019. | |||||||
Michael Paul Stefanik (born May 20, 1958 – died September 15, 2019) was an amazing American stock car racing driver. He was known for racing in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. He also raced in the Busch Grand National series and the Craftsman Truck Series. Mike was a seven-time champion in the Modified series. In 2003, he was called the second greatest NASCAR Modified driver ever. He won nine championships in total, including two in the Busch North Series. This ties him with Richie Evans for the most championships in NASCAR history. Mike Stefanik was also inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2022.
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Mike's Racing Journey
Modified Series Success
Mike Stefanik started his first full Whelen Modified Tour season in 1987. He won his first championship in 1989, winning seven of his 26 races. He was a top racer in the 1990s, winning the 1991 series championship. He finished in the top ten almost every time that season.
After a few years of not racing a full schedule, Mike finished fifth in 1995. He then won the 1997 and 1998 titles. He did this while also racing full-time and winning championships in the Busch North Series those same years.
Mike took the year 2000 off to race full-time in the Camping World Truck Series. When he returned to the Modified Tour, he won the championship in his first two years back (2001 and 2002). He didn't win many races but was always in the top ten.
He didn't race much in 2003, 2004, or 2005. But in 2006, he won the first race of the season. He completed every lap that year and was only out of first place for one week, winning the championship. His performance slowly went down after that. His first full season without a win was in 2010. He won his last race at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2013. He started his very last race in 2014.
In 2013, Mike raced in the first-ever UNOH Battle at the Beach at Daytona. On the final lap, he was leading. But contact with another driver, Steve Park, caused him to spin. He finished 13th in that race.
K&N Pro Series East
Mike Stefanik won in only his third race in this series, back in 1991. He raced his first full season in 1993 while also racing Modifieds. He won the 1997 and 1998 championships in this series. He earned over $100,000 each season!
By doing this, he became the first driver to win two NASCAR championships in a row. Lee Petty is the only other person to have won two championships in one year. Mike raced full seasons in 2003, 2004, and 2005. During these years, he stepped away from Modifieds. However, he didn't have as much success in those later years.
Craftsman Truck Series
Mike Stefanik moved up to the Craftsman Truck Series. He raced for Phelon Motorsports. He finished in the top ten nine times during the 1999 season. He also earned the NASCAR Rookie of the Year award that year.
Halls of Fame Honors
Mike Stefanik was chosen for the New England Auto Racers Hall of Fame in his first year of being eligible. He was officially inducted on November 11, 2018. In 2013, Mike accepted the induction for his late brother, Bob. Bob and Michael are the fifth pair of brothers to be honored in the NEAR Hall.
Mike Stefanik was first nominated for the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2015. He was finally elected to the Hall in 2022, a great honor for his career.
Mike's Passing
On September 15, 2019, Mike Stefanik was flying a friend's Aero-Works Aerolite 103 aircraft. According to Connecticut State Police, the aircraft had mechanical problems. This caused it to lose power and crash in a wooded area in Sterling, Connecticut. He was taken to Rhode Island Hospital, where he sadly passed away from his injuries.
