Michael Clancy Jr. of Ortonville has a lifetime of racing experience, victories enough to earn dozens of trophies, and he’s only 11 years old.
“Once I did a practice run, it got into my blood. I like to go fast, the adrenaline rush,” said the young racer.
He travelled all over the country this year with his father, Mike Clancy, Sr., to race in USAC .25 Midget “Gen Next” events. The junior speedster finished in the top three in 18 races this year ? each good enough to earn him a trip to the awards? podium ? and he also won eight of 10 national races.
That achievement earned him Gen Next Western and Eastern championship trophies, to be added to the hardware already lining the walls at AC Tire on Dixie Highway, which his father owns, as well as at home.
“It was a huge accomplishment ? I’m impressed,” the senior Clancy said. “He drove really well.”
Clancy Jr. has been racing at Waterford Hills Road Racing track for seven years. His vehicle of choice, the .25 midget car, is a quarter the size of midget racers driven by adults. They lap the 1/20 mile track on the grounds of the Oakland County Sportsmen’s Club in Independence Township in under five seconds.
“It’s insanely fast,” Clancy Sr. said.
The junior Clancy’s work as a racer also includes meeting other racers, owners, organizers, builders, and others influencial in the racing world, which he also excels at, his father said.
“They were impressed with him,” he said.
Now the 11-year-old is preparing for full-size cars, racing in the JEGS All Star Tour for ages 12-13 at Owosso Speedway. He’ll race a car custom fitted for him around a 3/8 mile track.
“This is the first step, getting used to the size, speed, and how it is on corners,” Clancy Jr. said. “My goal is to race in NASCAR, maybe Formula 1.”
Entry level at NASCAR short tracks starts at age 14. He also needs to get more sponsors and hire a crew.
“That would be amazing if I can do that,” he said.
Recovering from a quad ATV accident, he’s eager to get back on the track.
“I’m looking forward to racing it, absolutely,” he said.
Growing up with three sisters, he earns straight A’s and serves as president of the student council at Brandon Intermediate School.
“He’s always very humble. He doesn’t brag. I’ve always been very impressed with how he carries himself,” his dad said.
“I’m not that person. I don’t think I should do that. It’s not nice,” the racer said. “It’s not the way my mom and dad taught me.”
“That’s the way my dad raised me,” Clancy Sr. said. “Always look people in the eye. Always shake their hand. Always show respect.”
The younger Clancy has always been comfortable on wheels. He could drive a quad all terrain vehicle by the time he was 2 years old, a dirt bike by age 4, and quarter midgets at 5 years of age.
‘On his first day at track, he didn’t know anything about the cars there,? Clancy Sr. said. “He went around the track, 5 years old, 37 pounds, not yet in kindergarten.”
He picked the number 5 for his racer, which he’s stuck with ever since. It’s worked out well so far. He earned his first national trophy at age 5, finishing in fifth place.
“That’s the one that means the most to me ? it’s my favorite,” Clancy Jr. said.
He got his first sponsor at age 6, because “I drove so well and didn’t crash a lot,” he said.
“He’s quick on his hands,” his father said.
His sponsor, Eagle Race Cars, provided racers for their cross-country tour.
Cannon Konzer, a University of Michigan student and champion racer, has come along for the past five years to help, and also serve as a mentor.
“How to outthink the competition, to get ahead of them,” Clancy Jr. said.
‘This is a great family sport ? it’s all about the kids,? Clancy Sr. said. ‘It truly takes everyone. We work all week on the car, then he has to do his job behind the wheel.?