3/19/2014
Sunset Speedway Park
Getting Up To Speed With…Mike Mastrangelo
Getting Up To Speed With…Mike Mastrangelo
By Ben Deatherage
(Photo Courtesy of Ken O’Neil)
Mike Mastrangelo has been a regular fixture on the track at Sunset Speedway Park for nearly twenty years. Last season Mastrangelo won three main events and captured his second career SSP 4-Bee championship. It was also his second title in three seasons.
This year Mike Mastrangelo plans on running an outlaw schedule racing in the 4-Bee’s on some nights while other events competing in the Pure Stock division. When he’s not racing he’ll still be out at the track lending a helping hand in the pit area and working on cars. We got the chance to chat with Mike about his racing career and some of his favorite racing memories. Now let’s get up to speed with Mike Mastrangelo.
Driver: Mike Mastrangelo
Home Track: Sunset Speedway Park
Hometown: Banks, Oregon
Occupation: Machine Operator at Leupold & Stevens Inc.
Age: 34
Years Racing: 18
Classification: Pure Stocks/4-Bee
Team: Mastrangelo Racing
Car: 00
Chassis: 1976 Chevy Monte Carlo/1992 Toyota Celica
Special Thanks: Economy Auto, Ramlight Truck Salvage
BD: 2013 went rather well for you in the 4-Bee class. You seemed to really have things figured out.
MM: Yeah, I had a lot of good luck. I didn’t have any real problems with the car so that really helped out. It’s a really competitive class and I finished every race and leading the points at the end of the year was pretty cool.
BD: How did you get your start in racing?
MM: Well I had been going to races at Banks since 1987 as a fan when I was a kid. My dad Rodney ran in the early 1990’s and I started racing in one of his old cars once he stopped. I’ve been racing ever since.
BD: What are your plans for 2014?
MM: Really to kind of take it easy this year. I plan on still racing but I also plan to help out other people and run a few different classes. I’d like to get something together for the Jim’s 100 I’ve never qualified for that race.
BD: Is there a story with you racing the #00?
MM: Not really. The first couple years I raced I ran my dad’s number which was #95. After that I decide to change it up and always thought that #00 always looked really cool so that’s what it has been for a while now.
BD: Do you have a favorite moment in your career?
MM: Winning my first championship in 2011 was probably the biggest. I’d come so close so many years but never won one I finished second in the Bomber (now Pure Stocks) class in 2000 after a really good year. Most seasons I’d have a good start but would have a poor ending or vice versa. 2011 was the first time I had good luck all season. That and all the close to the wire finishes in the 4-Bees are memorable.
Sunset Speedway Park enters the 2014 season with an action packed schedule that you do not want to miss out on. The first event of the season is a test and tune play day scheduled to take place on Saturday April 5th while the first race of the year will be held on the 19th. To get the latest information and read the most recent stories regarding SSP log on to www.sunsetspeedwaypark.com.
Submitted By: Ben Deatherage
