A Message From 2018 Myrtle Beach NASCAR Late Model Champion Justin Milliken

by November 29, 2018 0 comments

With the annual NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Awards coming up on Friday, December 7 in Uptown Charlotte, 2018 Myrtle Beach Speedway Late Model champion, Justin Milliken wanted to say a few words to the racing community and to everyone who supported he and his team throughout the season. Below is Milliken’s note:

Wow, what can I say!

Twelve months ago, I didn’t know if I would be back in a race car or if I would even want to race again. Here we are with two titles this year.

To put things into perspective, my little team and I came into July with a 28-point deficit. Our team of all volunteers who work regular jobs and sacrifice time from their families managed to reel off five wins in a row to not only win the track championship, but the state championship against some of the strongest teams that have ever competed at the speedway.

It was the equivalent of a heavy weight title fight. We were down on the score card early but we kept punching, found our rhythm and closed out the regular season with a KO and our arm raised high in victory!

I was humbled last year at the amount of support Terry Evans and myself were shown by the Late Model Stock community, it was simply unbelievable. I have often told people that I know of nowhere else in world that I will ever be closer to Terry than at Myrtle Beach Speedway fighting tooth and nail for every tenth of a second. This season foundation was laid by he and myself last year. This season is dedicated to him.

There are several people I need to thank, but none above my wife Carmen Milliken and my dad Jamie Milliken. The two of them have been my biggest cheerleaders no matter what! If its at SES, at the race track, or in the hospital I know I can count on them. My wife Carmen has never once not supported me in chasing my dreams. She has given me two beautiful children, Shelby and Asbury as well as a beautiful life.

I have been promising Carmen since 2011, the last time we won the track championship “this will be the year we go back to Charlotte”. Here we are seven years later, and I am now able to make good on all my promises. Thank you, baby, for standing by my side and never letting me give up!

My dad Jamie, who drug me to my first Go Kart Race in October 1996, and we have been going at it ever since. The relationship that he and I share is worth more money than anyone could ever give me. He is my best friend, my boss, my mentor, spotter and car owner all rolled into one. Thank you Dad, for everything that you do for me.

Racing and friendship go hand-in-hand, and the people that know me know that once I become their friend, I am there through thick and thin, wins and losses. Racing has given me some great friends that have become family along the way.

This season would not have been possible without my crew, Kevin “Tiny” Guyton, CC David Gooding, John Shipman, Zach Scharf, Andy Clemmons, David West, Freddie Hickman, Richard Mellentine, Wesley Able, Tom Buzze Sr. and Jr. Thank you guys for believing in me and all of your hard work this year helping to reach our goals. Love you guys!

I also need to thank three people who have never failed to answer the phone when I was in a panic because we have a problem with a motor or we were too tight to run across the middle, these three people have had my back for a long time and never asked for anything in return other than friendship: Matt McCall, Marcus Richmond and David West. Thanks for helping the 37-year-old Toilet Salesman keep up with the pros of our sport!

I want to thank Hedgecock race cars, John West Auto, Pigwire, Buzze racing, Allen Rice, G-force South, and Ben Ebling for providing me with some fast equipment. We have won a lot of races together and I look forward too many more.

Last but not least, I want to say how proud I am to represent Mr. WC Bell with Bell and Bell Buick, GMC and Mr. C.W. Hamilton with Anglers marine. Thank you and your entire families for your continued support.

Most importantly, I want to thank God for giving me the opportunity to do what I love!

God Bless!

 

Sincerely,

Justin Milliken

 

Photo Credit: Hunter Thomas/TheFourthTurn.com

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