Mike Mahaney Set To Take On All-Stars In 2017 410 Sprint Debut

Story By: RYAN HILL / RPW – KING FERRY NY – Mike Mahaney will be making his first 410 sprint car start of the 2017 Saturday when the Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions take on the hard clay at Orange County Fair Speedway Saturday. I look forward to running smooth/slick tracks. Doug Emery’s expertise and equipment both seem to give me a slight advantage in those conditions.

Mike looks forward to running smooth/slick tracks, and feels that Doug Emery’s expertise and equipment combined seem to give me a slight advantage in those conditions. Mike has raced at the Fairgrounds in modifieds running The Hard Clay Open and Eastern States over the last few years, but acknowledges that while the experience helps, the sprint car is much different.

“The sprint cars are much more aero dependent than the Modifieds, it helps to get out in clean air to be fast. They are capable of a lot more traction than Modifieds, which is another reason why I like running Sprints on Slick tracks. Our biggest obstacle will be qualifying. It will be my first run this year in the 410 and we haven’t had a chance to shake it down with all the rainouts. So our goal is to make the show. With any luck if we end up qualifying halfway decent, I expect we could have as good a shot as anyone in the feature.”

In Mike’s previous experiences at OCFS he has generally improved as those nights progressed, and was charging forward at the end of those events, which boosts his confidence about his chances in the 410 feature. Mike’s confidence for the event is further bolstered by his car owner and the efforts of his team.

“Doug Emery owns the car and has given me the opportunity to run some 410 sprint car races, I couldn’t ask for a better mentor. Doug’s expertise and equipment both seem to give me a slight advantage in Saturday’s OCFS conditions. Barb Patterson gets me pushed around on the quad, and keeps me up to date with the schedule and lineups.

Timmy Canastra really gets the job done in the pit area on the car and even helps Doug in the shop when he can.”

Mike will be in action Saturday July 29th at Orange County Fairgrounds Speedway in Middletown, NY, where he will challenge Tony Stewart and The Arctic Cat All-Star Circuit of Champions. The $10,000 to win event begins at 6:30pm.