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“Smokey” Mike Robinson No. 67 Street Stock has been a popular name around New Paris for several years now.  Most of the driver’s and fans that I spoke to about Smokey want to see him do well because he is considered an underdog.  He is a low dollar racer who relies mostly on his vast knowledge of cars and pure driving talent. 

“I have been around racing all my life.  My stepfather raced dirt at Montpelier until 1994 when we moved up here.  When I was 18 my stepfather built me a Street Stock for New Paris and I have raced here every since.”  I asked Smokey why he always comes back to New Paris.  “New Paris is like one big family.  We all talk and help one another and then sometimes we get mad at each other but by the next week, we get along again.” 

In the 10 years Mike Robinson has been racing, he has not yet won that coveted A Feature.  The best finish he has had was a 2nd place last year.  “My motto is I race what I can pay for.  I just take small steps forward and most of all have fun.  I am ok with not winning an A feature, I guess I have to be.  My drive to keep driving is to do equal or better than the week before.  As long as I can say I gave it my best effort then I am good with that.” 

“Racing is not just a hobby, its an addiction.  It gets in your blood.  Just because I own a set of golf clubs doesn’t mean I know how to play.  Racing is all I have ever been around.  I figure as long as I have a car, a trailer and something to pull it with then I will keep racing for as long as I am still having fun.” 

I asked Smokey if there was a move up to a Late Model in his future.  “With the Street Stocks becoming more like a Sportsman and getting more expensive, it just seems silly to not move up to a Late Model.  I would really like to win an A Feature in the Street Stocks first though.”  “I really enjoy watching the Late Models race.  My favorite driver is Ty Hayes.  Mainly because we are pretty much the same age.  I watched him go from driving street stocks to doing so well in Late Model’s.  I don’t care what it is, put him in it and he can drive the wheels off it.” 

Smokey would like to send out a special thanks to his wife Jennifer.  “She is the force behind my racing.  If it were not for her, I don’t think I would be coming here every week.”  He would also like to thank his sponsors; Animal House Daycare, JR Chupp, Michael Corvin and Durbin Engines.  Good luck to Mike Robinson this year and in his racing future.  I would love to see this guy in the Winner’s Circle before this 2009 season ends!  Happy and Safe Racing.