off to the RACES

It was February 7, 1999. Mary Louise Miller and her daughter, Stephany Mullen, were nervous. The ML Motorsports team was starting its first race at Daytona International Speedway, the grandfather of all NASCAR tracks. The two women sat in anticipation, wondering if the team would hold its own in this racing adventure.

An 11th place finish later, the two women's fate was seated. They were on their way.

That winter day seven years ago - when ML Motorsports raced its first ARCA. RE/MAX Series event - was a far cry from what started out as a "fun idea to own a show car," as Mullen describes it.

Dubbed "Your Hometown NASCAR Team," ML Motorsports has been about family from the beginning. Mullen's husband, Ed, who was already working in public relations for a NASCAR Busch Series team, spearheaded research in 1998 and got Miller and Mullen to discuss the idea of owning a race car for show.

"I remember him saying 'We can do this,' " Mullen says. "Of course, at that time we were only talking about having a car to show off at fairs and special events."

According to Miller, it didn't take long to make up her mind.

"It was really a quick decision," she says. "I asked my parents and husband about it and they said 'go for it!' That was all I needed to hear!"

Miller's husband, Biomet founder Dane Miller, has been supportive, and the company has been a part of the team from the start. The #70 car also enjoys the sponsorship support of Foretravel Motorcoach.

"Other sponsors are being sought and we would particularly like to partner with an Indiana company in this area to promote both our team and their company," commented Christie Smith, public relations manager for the team since 2004.

Smith joined a team that is unique in many ways, including being recognized as the only female-owned NASCAR Busch Series racing team. They have the added distinction of being Indiana's only NASCAR team as they start their rookie season in the Busch Series.

"It was within a year of getting the show car that we all talked again and thought it was time to go racing," Mullen says. "Our natural place was the ARCA RE/MAX Series and so the decision was made to get ready to qualify and race at the ARCA 200 that February of 1999.

"We were so new at everything but it was a really exciting time. Mom and I even put the decals on the car ourselves!"

It's been pedal to the metal ever since.

Located within a 40,000 square foot office/garage facility just west of Warsaw, ML Motorsports buzzes with activity. Around a dozen cars are being worked on and prepared for racing according to Crew Chief Tom Sokoloski - who joined ML in 2003 with 45 career wins as well as ARCA Series championships in 1993, '96 and '97 while serving as crew chief for Tim Steele. The results of his experience showed quickly, and in 2004 Sokoloski helped lead the ML racing team to a top ten finish in championship points in ARCA RE/MAX Series events. Two years later, the team is ready to take the next step - the Busch Series.

That started on May 5th when the team headed to Richmond International Speedway in Richmond, Virginia for the Circuit City 250. They qualified 28th in the field of 43, but an accident ended their day after 48 laps. Even so, driver Justin Diercks was able to get some valuable seat time. The 26-year old is the new kid on the track for ML, but a seasoned veteran of racing. From 1999 to 2002, he had ample NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division success, with two back-to-back Championships, four wins, two Bud Pole awards and the title of Most Improved Driver.

Diercks joined ML Motorsports earlier this year through an affiliation with well-known and highly respected Robert Yates Racing. He's brimming with confidence and plans on big things on the track this year.

"I think a realistic goal is consistently finishing top 10 or 15," he says. "The ML team is running strong. Our motors are good. Our setups are good. The pit crew is doing its job. We are capable of running the full season and doing well."

Born and raised in Iowa, the former go-kart speedster also appreciates the Midwestern feel of his new racing home. "Dane and Mary Louise are phenomenal. They know what it takes to do this and I can tell they really enjoy racing. That makes a huge difference when you come in as the new guy on the team."

He's enthused that ML Motorsports is a true family operation and Miller and Mullen totally agree.

"Being able to spend time with my family on the weekends at the tracks is wonderful," Miller says.

"Racing is a very family oriented sport," Mullen adds. "I'm with my best friend - my mom - and my own kids are now involved. My dad loves to be a spotter, so he's in this too!"

The ML family has now grown to 20 employees involved in the daily operations, from reception to mechanics. On race day, the breakdown in the pit area includes crew chief, rear tire carrier, jackman, rear tire changer, front tire carrier, front tire changer, catch can man, gas man a support crew and a sign holder. Frequently, Dane Miller is up in the tower, spotting the team's #70 while communicating back and forth with his driver and the pit.

Out on the track, Diercks has a lot of car and horsepower to work with. According to Sokoloski, #70 features a 358 cubic inch motor that pushes out 800 HP. Top speed can reach 200 miles per hour, which translates to getting around a 2.5 mile track in about 60 seconds.

Critical to any racecar is how well it is set up during qualifying and on race day. Sokoloski describes it this way:

"It's center lining the car and lining up all the contact paths on the tires, after that you set the caster, camber, tread width, wheel base which is the width of the car, and length of the car. Then you set the spring and shocks depending upon what track and what you're trying to accomplish. It really is an involved process that takes a lot of time."

It will be worth it all if ML Motorsports can get into the winner's circle at some of the 13 NASCAR Busch events and six ARCA races they are aiming for in 2006.

With a new driver and the start of the Busch Series in their sights, the ML team looks at this season with great anticipation. For Miller, one thing remains constant.

"The start of the race is always the part that gives me goose bumps," she says. "When they say 'start your engines,' I have this mix of excitement and nervousness, but after the first couple of laps the nervousness goes away. Then, it just gets really exciting to see the team work so hard and do well on the track," she says.

This family affair at the racetrack is complemented by Miller's interest in helping other women succeed in the sport. As a board member of the Lyn St. James Foundation, she points out that the organization's motto is "A driven force for diversity."

Both she and Mullen believe that even greater opportunities for women are in the future.

For now, they are setting the precedent by being the only women at this level to form, compete and - with a little luck and a lot of faith - bring accolades and their share of wins to the city of Warsaw and the state of Indiana.

With these goals it's easy to see why ML Motorsports gets a green light as "Your Hometown NASCAR Team."

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

ML Motorsports

Address:

2208 North 500 West

Warsaw, IN 46580

Telephone:

(574) 858-2596

President:

Ed Mullen

Co-owners: Mary Louise Miller & Stephany Mullen

Number of employees:

20

Driver:

Justin Diercks

Website:

www.mlracing.com