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Michael Faulk brings home emotional victory at Tri-County Motor Speedway

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Hudson, N.C. (Oct. 31, 2022) – Michael Faulk experienced a blast from the past during Saturday’s 100-lap Late Model Stock feature at Tri-County Motor Speedway.

Normally acting as a co-owner for his dad’s team in Lee Faulk Racing, Michael had a rare opportunity to climb back behind the wheel of a Late Model Stock. He made the most of that chance by outdueling veteran Thomas Beane and fellow Lee Faulk Racing driver Isabella Robusto for the victory.

Michael admitted that Saturday’s win was one of the most special accomplishments of his career, especially since he got to celebrate with his entire family in victory lane.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to win a Late Model Stock race,” Michael said. “[Saturday] was the first time I got to celebrate one with my daughter Harper, and I got to have my dad spot for me as well. It felt like the old days again, so Saturday was such a great night.”

Michael’s racing exploits during the early 2000s saw him make a handful of starts in the ARCA Menards Series and USAR Pro Cup Series, but he elected to scale back his driving obligations so he could help Lee run his Late Model Stock operation.

Despite being semi-retired, Michael still does everything possible to make occasional Late Model Stock appearances. Michael’s schedule in 2022 saw him attempt the prestigious ValleyStar Credit Union 300 at Martinsville Speedway for the first time.

With Tri-County being a short distance from Michael’s home, he decided to venture out to the 0.4-mile facility on Saturday evening with the goal of either having him or Robusto bring home another checkered flag for Lee Faulk Racing.

Michael and Robusto swept both practice and qualifying at Tri-County, but Robusto set the pace early. Contact between Michael and veteran racer B.J. Mackey sent Michael to the rear of the field, all while Robusto continued to lead.

Another spin only hindered Michael’s progress further, but adjustments were made to his car during the halfway break to get him dialed in for the second half. No one could match the pace of Michael’s car after the intermission, and he proceeded to hold on for the win.

Saturday’s celebration was a moment Michael had been waiting for years to experience, but he credits his success at Tri-County to the relentless amount of preparation he has undergone to stay in shape physically and mentally.

“I have to train and work out when I want to race,” Michael said. “I’ve been working out for months now because of all the big races I’ve run. When I’m on the treadmill, all I can think about is being in victory lane with my daughter and it was so cool that I got to do that on Saturday.”

While Michael never doubts the ability of the Lee Faulk Racing cars to perform on the track, he knows that even having a chance at winning comes down to what a driver can do behind the wheel.

Finding his way to victory lane at Tri-County only served to validate Michael’s belief in his own ability behind the wheel, adding that scoring a win against a talented field is only going to give him more confidence for when he does eventually make another start.

“I’ve told myself I could still do this at 41 years old, but in the back of your head, you just don’t know,” Michael said. “It felt great to get back out there and race up front with those guys, which included one of my heroes in Shane Huffman. It kind of felt like we were back in 2005 again.”

No more races are currently on Michael’s schedule for the rest of 2022. He will transition back into an ownership role as Lee Faulk Racing prepares for the CARS Tour finale at Caraway Speedway as well as upcoming short track events like the Fall Brawl and South Carolina 400.

Michael would like to thank his family, Lee Faulk Racing, MPM Marketing, and all his sponsors in Coltman Farms Racing, Leap Frog Landscaping, Upchurch Performance, PRW Chassis and Renegade Race Fuel.

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