Michael Faulk’s racing family is covered in the accompanying story-- from dad Lee to Grandpa Roy and mom Amby -- but what about that other all-important part of any race team family? That most important item on any race driver’s list...sponsors? Faulk and the team would love to have a major backer, a name to spread across that huge red hood, on the sides and rear of the Monte Carlo. At present, his associate supporters include Spradley Concrete, Eatmon Racing Engines, Ray Skillman, Automotive Recyclers of Gainesville, Ken’s Fiberglass, Gator Textbooks and Sweet Parts of Florida, which help out greatly. Oh, yeah, Sweet Parts of Florida is not a lingerie shop, but one of race car parts, which Randy Sweet owns. Merle Caswell runs the South Florida division and is one of the No. 25’s sponsors. Even with their help, perhaps with an FPS championship and/or Rookie of the Year, which Faulk hopes he realizes and gives them thanks, he still needs support for that next step, the next level. Oh, yeah, he or his dad can be reached at (386)454- 4835.

Michael Faulk
By NORM FROSCHER

 It’s the same in football, auto racing and other sports.
 Known as the “Big M”, it’s momentum.
 You know, the Tampa Bay Bucs can tell you about that big kickoff return for a touchdown or smothering an opponent right down to fourth and ten or longer.
 That’s momentum.
 Or on the oval, maybe getting edged out in a race and then having the winner thrown out as illegal.
 And right now, in Bert Ashleman’s touring Florida Pro Series, that momentum is in the hands of a rookie. A win? Yeah, but how about two in a row?
 After dominating at Citrus County, he was nudged out of the way and finished only second, but was given the win when the offender was found illegal.
 And much the same at Columbia Motorsports. In the right place at the right time.
 Yep, a rookie, but a second-generation driver who’s not only leading the points but also comfortably leads the rookie points in goals he set earlier
this year.
 Without keeping you in suspense any longer, that young driver is 21-year-old Michael Faulk, son of former Busch and Winston Cup chauffeur and current race car builder Lee Faulk.
 Michael Faulk, who definitely has goals for this year and beyond:
“My short term goal is to win both the rookie title and the Florida Pro Championship,” says 21-year-old Faulk, of Gainesville.
 Before going any further, to explain that momentum, he has won the last two FPS races at Citrus County and Columbia Motorsports park, is leading both the series by five points and tops the rookie class by 379 points.
 But figure for a minute, that lofty goal he has set for his No. 25 Monte Carlo team, was accomplished only in the first year of the Florida Pro Series,
back in 1993 by Shane Russ of Mykka City, and was first done in the Sunshine State-- by a driver whose name you will recognize -- Joe Nemechek of Lakeland in the USA Series back in 1988.
 Faulk has three races in which to reach that goal, two downstate and then the third back at Columbia Motorsports Park for the finale in November.
 He’s burst on the FPS series as an outstanding rookie this year, while attending the University of Florida and also attempting to enlarge his own lawn
care business.
 Long term, he says he’d like to move up.
 “My goal in racing is to move to Charlotte when I graduate from UF and start working for a team and pursue a driving career up there,” he says.
 What’s the background of this young phenom, who stands out in a sport where young phenoms are the probably more the rule than the exception?
 We told you his dad, Lee Faulk, was a former Busch and Cup driver and longtime racing fans will probably recognize him when we tell he drove both the Busch and Winston Cup cars under the Slender U banner.
 Upon leaving active driving in those venues, Falk and wife Amby decided to locate at a central spot in Florida and establish a car building enterprise.
 Now you’ll see Lee Faulk Race Cars emblazoned on everything from Late Models to Modifieds on down to the entry level classes at ovals around the state.
 And today he’s not above taking some laps, or even a race in one of his creations to see how it performs. So it’s only natural that young Michael, or “Mike Faulk” as it says over the driver compartment, would grow up around the sport.
 Let him tell it:
 “I remember when I was around 8 years old going to watch my dad race in a series that was then called the “All-America Challenge Series. I grew up going to Orlando Speedworld and New Smyrna Beach on Friday and Saturday nights.”
 It followed then, that he’d climb into a race car himself.
 “My first experience in a race car was actually at Bronson Speedway in a Pure Stock, in 1995,” Faulk recalls. “I raced one season for Billy Beltz and I actually give him credit for giving me my first chance in a car.
 “The first season went well as we won nine races and that’s when we decided to get a Late Model. We kept competing at Bronson, winning a few races in 1996 and ‘97.
 “From there, Kip Pierce picked me up as driver of his Street Stock at Columbia Motorsports Park. We ran that about half the season, then we decided to step up and run the SARA Late Model Series full-time in 2000.
 “I was Rookie of the Year and was third in the points that season and it’s sort of snowballed from there and I have been racing Late Models full-time now for three years.  It’s been a snowball effect from there.”
 It was sort of pick and choose until deciding to run FPS in 2003.
 Naturally, there was also school all during that time, going back to the Pure Stocks.
 “Grades have always been an important thing, especially to my dad. The deal was I that I was allowed to race as long as I made the honor roll throughout middle school and high school. I think that is what kept me with above a 3.0 grade point average all the way to the present.”
 Did father Lee ever try to discourage him from this sometimes grueling profession?
 “No, my dad never tried to discourage me from anything I’ve done, especially not talk me out of racing. He told me if I decided not to race, he would not be mad, but that thought has never crossed my mind. We have had bad times as well as great times and through it all and my dad and I have stuck together and worked through them all.
 “The best advice he’s given me as far as the track goes is is that as long as you take care of people’s cars and don’t tear them up, you’ll always be able to get a ride. So far, that advice has gotten me pretty far.
 “The experience that my dad has makes it a lot easier for my learning curve. He has made me work for everything I get I don’t think that’s typical anymore with many younger drivers. A lot of kids are born with a silver spoon in their mouths, so to speak, and I’m very grateful everything was not handed to me.
 “Another person who has played a huge success in my career and my life and who goes unnoticed is my grandpa Roy. He’s been to nearly every single race of my career and is my biggest fan, no doubt in my mind,” Faulk says.
 And of course, mom Amby.
 “My mom has put up with a lot from my dad and me both. I am sure it’s been hard for her for the two guys in her life to be gone almost every weekend and to be participating in something as dangerous as racing. She has dealt with it very well and supported both of us the whole way. She goes to the races that are within a reasonable distance from where we live.”
 So you say, OK, that’s family, what about the crew and all the duties?
 You know, crew chief, spotter, consultant, tire and set up expert and fuel mileage expert?
 “My team pretty much consists of my dad and me. He’s crew chief, spotter and about everything else except the driver,” Faulk laughs. “I definitely consult him before making any final decisions. Bob Brennan is a long-time friend and helps us on race day.”