LAKEVILLE, MN -- He may only be a teen, but its already been awhile since Joey Miller competed for points in a racing series. Then again, like most racers his age, this aggressive and talented young lad isnt much into points racing; instead, he has his eye on poles and wins. Thats exactly what this Minnesotan plans to do during his rookie campaign in ASA this season.
I haven't raced for points since I raced at my local track back here at home (Elko Speedway), said Miller, referring to the last time he raced for a points title in 2001. I really want to win the Rookie of the Year title as well, but I'm not going to points race. I really believe this team is capable of winning poles and winning races this year. If I play my cards right, we should do pretty good and the rookie honors will follow.
To say Miller is excited about the upcoming season would be an understatement. The past few years have been spent running selected shows in a number of different series all around the country, including events with the NASCAR Touring Elite Division and ASA. Now Miller is ready for a full-time shot at ASA and its $50,000 rookie prize.
We've really worked hard on this team and on things around here (the shop) all off season, so I'm really excited to see what the outcome of all of this is going to be. I'm trying to prepare myself in every way I can. I am in the gym three times a week with my personal trainer trying to get into better shape for these longer races.
We went down to Speedweeks (at New Smyrna Speedway, where he won a Limited Late Model race) and got the bugs out of our system and got back into the racing mood so when we go to Lakeland, we'll be ready.
Between 2002 and 2003, Joey accumulated 15 starts with ASA; it resulted in two top-10 finishes and a best result of seventh at LaCrosse (WI) Fairgrounds Speedway. He has also picked up several top-five and top-10 finishes in the NASCAR Touring Elite divisions during those two years, including two pole positions. Despite the fact that he will focus on ASA this year, Miller will also continue running selected events elsewhere in 2004 as time allows.
When a NASCAR Touring race is teamed up with an ASA event, we'll be there with our Touring car, said Miller. If we have a weekend off and the NASCAR Touring cars are on a big track somewhere, we'll go to them too. Its all about experience and I want to get as much as possible, but my main focus is going to be ASA and I am not going to let anything get in the way of that.
Joey also has a great tutor to help with his learning curve. His Country Joe Racing teammate is two-time defending ASA National Champion Kevin Cywinski.
Kevin helps me out quite a bit around the shop and I'm sure that will continue on at the track all during the year. He is always asking if I have any questions or concerns. He is the person I go to if there is something I need to know about racing. He's been around and has done a lot of great things in his career.
Country Joe Racing, with Kevin Cywinski and Joey Miller, will compete full-time with the American Speed Association in 2004. For more information on the team, please visit .
