BLoG
March 2022
In search of sponsors to be able to hit the track again. Working on letters to potential sponsor in hopes of driving in a few Xfinity Series Road Course races this season. Any leads are appreciated.
13 March 2022
Pumped to see Chase Briscoe win at Phoenix. Proud to be part of the SHR team.
December 2021
Michael transitioned from the Design Department at SHR to the Quality Assurance department where he is now engaged in the precision measuring of all parts that go into the SHR and affiliated team cars. Michale says the challenge of making sure all the parts meet NASCAR's exacting standards is personally fulfilling since he knows that when he sees a SHR car on track he knows he was part of the team that put it there.
October 2021
Michael Munley Hired by Stewart Haas Racing as an Engineering Intern
Michael was recently contacted by Stewart Haas Racing (SHR) and offered an intern position in the SHR Design Department. Michael is excited to work at SHR and learn more about the design and building cars at NASCAR's top series.
August 7, 2021
A Tough Weekend and Debut For Michael at Watkins Glen
First of all, Michael is disappointed but okay. We really appreciate all the love and support shown him/us as we approached his Xfinity debut, during the race, and after. Needless to say Michael’s debut did not go as we had hoped, and prayed, it would.
Even if you watched the race, you might not have realized that Michael did not take the green flag with the rest of the field. Unfortunately, immediately after engine start the team realized they had radio problems, so Michael went directly to his pit. After resolving the radio issue Michael’s window net would not lock into place. It took a long time to get the net secured forcing Michael to start the race from the pits almost one lap down. Nevertheless, after such a troubled start Michael, determined as he always is, put his head down and pressed on with the race plan. He felt out the track and car for the next two laps and then tried to catch up to stay ahead of the pack until the competition caution occurred. In trying to do so Michael, admittedly, made a rookie mistake of trying to push too hard. As Dale Earnhardt Jr said on TV, he overcooked the entry of the bus stop, got the car out of shape causing the car to become unloaded and into the tire barrier. After getting the car out of the barrier and back to pit lane Michael refused to quit. After some major bodywork temporary repairs Michael was in the race again, albeit 4 laps down. He worked his way back to only one lap down even though the crash took its toll on both the car’s handling and the braking system. About halfway through the race Michael felt the car’s rear suspension starting to fail and headed to the pits for a quick check, repair, and adjustment. A temporary fix and adjustment allowed him to get back on the track. Sadly, with 4 laps to go in the race and 2 laps down the rear suspension finally broke for good as Michael was going through the S’s ending his day on the track.
Although Michael finished 6 laps down in 35th place (out of 40) he and his team learned a lot this weekend. What everyone should take from this unfortunate experience is that Michael DOES NOT quit even under the extreme adversity. He drove his severely ill handling racecar to the best of his ability until it couldn’t be driven anymore. We are extremely proud of him and his tenacity and we hope you are too. The Munleys are firm believers that those who bounce back from adversity are stronger for it. Michael, although he is disappointed in himself right now, is resilient and he WILL bounce back.
So many of you have asked, “what’s next?”. As you know raising the funds for this debut race was extremely challenging. So, in order to move forward Michael needs to find sponsors so he can concentrate on racing the 7 Xfinity road course races in 2022. If you know of anyone looking for an opportunity to promote their product/service at the national level please have them contact Michael. Needless to say we are going to be searching for sponsors too. Thank you again for your thoughts, prayers, and friendship as Michael enters his senior year at UNCC later this month. Please help us keep his dream alive. In the meantime, stay safe, healthy, and happy.
August 3, 2021
Michael Munley Watkins Glen Bound
Well it looks like the word is out, Michael will be racing the #6 Chevrolet Camaro for JD Mortorsports with Gary Keller on Saturday 7 Aug. The race will be televised on CNBC starting at 3:30. We would like to thank everyone who has supported Michael through the last 14 years to get him to this point in his career.
July 15, 2021
CONFIRMED: Michael Munley to Debut in Xfinity Series at Watkins Glen
Michael will debut in the Xfinity Series on the famed road course at Watkins Glen International on 7 Aug. Details to follow. Thank you for your support.
May 30,2021
NASCAR Xfinity Team Interning-Lovin Every Minute of It!
Week 1 : 7 days seems like seven months given what I’ve learned so far as an engineering intern with JD Motorsports with Gary Keller in Gaffney, SC. From set-up to dyno to graphics to tires to loading and unloading to spotting and more I’m having the time of my life working with this 4-car NASCAR Xfinity team. When someone speaks about family this race team is just that. They have embraced me with open arms and keep piling on the experiences. Traveled to Mid-Ohio last weekend and heading to Texas this weekend. I can’t thank Johnny Davis enough for giving me this opportunity and amazing experiences. Looking forward to an outstanding summer working and traveling with these great people.
April 2021
MICHAEL MUNLEY APPROVED FOR TO RUN IN XFINITY AND CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES
Michael was recently approved by NASCAR to run road course races for now in the Xfinity and Camping World Truck Series. Michael is working with an Xfinity team to run at Watkins Glen in August. We have established a Go Fund Me account to try and get him there. You all have supported him so much over the years please share this with your friends. Thanks.
February 14, 2021
WINNER – Michael Munley Opens the 2021 Season Strong at Sebring International Raceway
Michael started the defense of his V8RRS 2020 GTA Championship this weekend at Sebring International Raceway, Florida with a win in GTA class and an overall second in a strong 29 car field. On Saturday Michael qualified the #29 Gutterman Services/Overbagh Motor Racing P1 in GTA and P4 overall putting him on the second row for the start of Sunday’s first of two races. Tough side-by-side, very clean professional racing was the highlight of the first race. Michael battled head-to-head with cars in his class and in higher level classes with outstanding results. Michael showed not only can he handle the bumps of America’s oldest racetrack that the pros call the most difficult track in the world, but he can bring home the win.
Sunday’s second race was not as kind; racing can be a cruel, fickle mistress. With Michael in the lead in GTA and battling for third overall his car lost power six laps into the race and he was forced to retire. Although disappointed with the result of the second race, Michael was happy with his strong performance and looks forward to new opportunities.
Thanks to car owner Hoyt Overbagh, Crew Chief Steve Little, Car Chief Donnie Brannon for a fast hot rod. Special thanks to Chris Pauly and Gutterman Service for his ever-present support. Thanks to all of you who follow Michael and support him with prayers and well wishes, you’ll never know how much that means. Keep following Michael Munley Motorsports for Michael’s race schedule as the season and opportunities develop.
