Get To Know The Driver: Slingshot Racer Andrew Millard

Column By: DYLAN FRIEBEL / RPW – FONDA, NY – When you think of drivers who have gone from small cars to big cars in dirt racing, two names come to mind for me…Demetrios Drellos and Marty Kelly III, These are two people who frequent Lebanon Valley Speedway. However there are many other Slingshot drivers who hope to do what those two did.

One that I know very well, and you should as well, is Andrew Millard.

I had the chance to sit down with the former Kentucky resident who now calls Fonda, NY home. When getting started in racing as a kid, there’s always something that peaks your interest in the sport.

“Well, I grew up going every Saturday since my mom worked on Steve Akers’ car,” he said. “She never missed a Saturday. Being named after AJ Romano, it’s kind of a given who my idol was growing up. Every time I was there, he was one, if not the only one, I’d pay attention to. When he wasn’t out, I was usually playing under the turn 4 bleachers.”

When asked why he wanted to race, he was very candid.

“I wanted to try something new,” Millard said. “I always grew up watching, Matty D, AJ, and Bobby Varin along with a list of others. I wanted to feel the rush that they did. It started out as a dream and in the span of 10 months became a reality. The slingshot basically was my best option, I wanted to get out and race as well as learn.”

Everyone knows there are ups and downs to every race season. No matter how good you are, it’s a given and Andrew has learned that all too well.

“I’ve figured out that there are way more downs than ups,” he said. “Starting the first night out, hot laps were quite the adrenaline rush. Then I missed both heats due to electrical issues. The feature was by far the highlight of the night and it justified buying the car, I didn’t want to stop after that.”

Through all the adversity, you need a good support system in place to help you and he learned the importance of that as well.

“It means alot to have my family behind me and not only my girlfriend but her family too,” the youngster said. “Without them, I would’ve given up on this. They put in so much help that I couldn’t repay them for their support. They push me no matter how bad I do some nights or what happens. For example, I made two laps of the feature at one of my biggest races and got towed off with a bent up front end. The first thing they said was ‘let’s try again next week.’ It’s simple motivation like that which really keeps you going.”

While Andrew had an up and down year this season, he’s looking forward to 2018.

“Next year, we can’t wait to run Dodge City and Glen Ridge,” he said. “We want to stay at Dodge because the owners did so much for me this past year and we just like it there. All of us at Millard Racing can’t wait to see what the new year has in store.”