Mike Christopher Jr.
At the end of the 2014 racing season the big question for Mike Christopher Jr. was where he would end up competing when the green flag fell for 2015.
Would he make the step from a Legends car to an SK Light Modified full-time, or just leap to the SK Modified division?
Time to jump.
After making five starts in the SK Light Modified division at Stafford Motor Speedway in 2014, Christopher will make the jump to the track’s premier NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified division for 2015.
“I’m pumped,” Mike Christopher Jr. said. “I can’t wait for the Spring Sizzler. I’m ready. I think from what we did last year, I learned the basics, the car length, the car width, how close the wall is, where the front bumper is and learned the competition, how to stay away from guys. I think we should be pretty good.”
Christopher, who will turn 16 on April 6, will hit the track to compete directly against his uncle, reigning Stafford SK Modified track champion Ted Christopher.
Ted Christopher, the track’s all-time winningest SK Modified driver, and winningest driver overall, won his ninth track championship in 2014.
“It’s great to get the chance to race against him,” Mike Christopher Jr. said. “I can’t wait for it. I’ve been watching him for 15 years. To finally get on the track and hopefully dice it out with him, whether I’m on the lead lap, or getting lapped by him, at least I’m battling with him and it will be fun.”
Mike Christopher Jr.’s father won three track championships back when he was competing against his twin brother Ted Christopher. Mike Christopher Sr. sits fourth on the track’s all-time SK Modified win list with 28 victories.
Mike Christopher Jr. will compete in an Al Heinke owned Troyer Chassis with a Mike Christopher Sr. built motor.
“He’s got a learning curve with the SK Modified because there’s a lot more power, but I would rather see him struggle in the back in the SK than run the SK Light,” Mike Christopher Sr. said. “We did it with the Legend car. He started in the back for a long time. I told him, ‘If you can finish every race, at the end of the year you’ll be in the top-10 in points. It will be a little tough.”
Christopher went from kart racing to Legends car racing in 2013. Last year he set a track single season record with 25 victories in Legends competition at the Waterford Speedbowl, where he won championships for Wednesday night and Saturday night competition. He also had two victories in Legends competition at Stafford Speedway in 2014. He finished tied for the national lead in Legends car racing overall for the season and finished third in the Legends Nationals in Las Vegas.
Very talented driver shouldnt run an sk or sk lite. should run with his uncle ted christopher in the tour.
What?!! He’s not yet in the K&N series yet?
Geez he almost has his braces off. LOL
No really….good luck to the youngster going forward.
I will bet he will b crying about the lack of horsepower and bad mouthing the engine builder by week 3
Good Luck…you will do a greatjob
Just kidding, wish both Mike’s best of luck.
Lauren I hope that you are joking, common sense says if his dad is building the motor I doubt that will happen. Also the kid is a Christopher he has racing in his blood and can probably make a go kart win a sk race!!
Don’t kid yourself , Every championship Mike Sr ever won was with a motor he built with his own two hands !
It is true everything he has run was his own motor and he is keeping it that way!!!!
Mike never had the backing that TC had and always built his own steam !
True story and he still beat him a lot of times!!
Needs more experience in the lights first, maybe a least a Win or two.
Lights are no good, no power, no pitting and the engine builders are a rip off because there is only 2 allowed to touch them. If u get a flat tire then ur out and lose what little money you would have made, if u blow up then it cost you a ton of money when if it were an dk u could almost do it yourself. If u see a future in racing then driving an sk is more logical especially with radios and the competition is more fierce and the caliber is so much higher. Also if you are gonna pay to fix a modified if u crash well they both cost the same chassis wise why not just go out in style and go big or go home. He will definately need to make a huge adjustment but he is a quick learner and I guarantee that he will do great.
Remember the kid is only 16… The cost of a new engine and radios will be more expensive than a season in the light division so I would like to see JR win a bunch of lite features b4 he jumps to sk. Maybe even earn a ride where all the bills are paid. Just saying
Well u would be right except that the cost to refreshen a dk lite is like 3 k and I mean for the average racer that would be correct but then u have to remember thAt he is a Christopher and that 1- the sk motor was there because His dad and uncle do race then and as for radios again remember that his dad raced had pit equipment and radios on top of also having someone provide assistance with new radios and they had crew help
Totally agree with this move. Put him to the wolves, to be the best you have to beat the best. Remember people the sk mod was and entry level division for a modified. Only the last few years has there been an sk light. After some time he will be just fine. Good luck and give Ted a few shots.
Agree with mike here it was entry level but the driving is entry level as well there are a few that should move up can’t afford a sk or then there is others that should just not even be allowed to drive the pace car. To throw him in I feel that he has a tough learning and a lot cut out for him but he will do it
Sk was never an entry level division, it was intended to be an inexpensive alternative before modifieds and New England speedways became extinct. I believe Charlie Savage was the first track champion and he was a 25 yr veteran and don’t forget the first king of sk mods Bob Potter who has over 100 wins. How can u forget that Reggie, John Anderson Pearl and the rest of the veterans that raced sk’s. No it never was an entry level division
I mean that would be true but really it was kinda like entry level and as for the racers that ran sk I believe that you are correct Lauren but the regg didn’t except for maybe a couple times he ran the tour and tour type mods and Stafford riverside and Thompson. When the sks came he was gone