ARCA: Mikey Kile Talks Venturini, BKR, First Win, Championship and More

Mikey Kile got started in racing by racing go-karts at a young age. Since then, he has moved up the ranks, having success at various levels. Career highlights include four carting championships, eight IMCA modified wins and 2008 USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series Rookie of the Year.

In 2009, Kile ran some ARCA and Camping World Truck Series races for Brad Keselowski Racing. In the truck series, he qualified career-high 10th at Las Vegas and finished a career-high 11th at both Milwaukee and Gateway in the Truck Series. In the ARCA Series, he qualified a career-high 10th at Kentucky and finished a career-high fourth at Talladega.

When he got the opportunity to drive for Venturini Motorsports at the end of the year, though, it was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.

With Venturini Motorsports this year, Kile has experienced success winning his first pole at Pocono, his first race at Michigan last Friday. He sits third in points, 75 points behind points leader Patrick Sheltra, with three top fives and six top 10s.

Kile took some time to answer some questions for Bleacher Report readers.

Ashley McCubbin : How’d you get started in racing?

Mikey Kile : When I was eight years old, I started racing go-karts. I’m from Louisiana so I raced go-kart there for a few years.

AM : So how’d the deal come together with Venturini Motorsports?

MK : I ran ARCA last year for Brad Keselowski and they always ran good last year and then I had the opportunity at the end of the year. He (Bill Venturini) called me at the end of the year and asked if I wanted to drive for him and I’d seen the success that they’d had through the years and they always ran up front and had good equipment, kind of a no brainer.

AM : You touched upon racing for Brad Keselowski. What was it like running some Camping World Truck Series races last year?

MK : It was good. Our first outing we ran at Martinsville and finished 11th. I think we ran six races and finished top-12 in three or four of the six. We were sixth quickest at Vegas and running top-10 there and top-10 at Texas and a pit stop issue there caught us outside of the top 10. It was a learning curve, but definitely running there and running good, I felt like I belonged there. 

AM : What did it feel like to get your first win last week at Michigan?

MK : We had the equipment, we knew we had the pieces of the puzzle were there; it was just a matter of time of putting it together. You know they say the first one is the hardest one to get, to get that win, get that release, and to get the pressure off of us, it meant a lot to the whole team. Now we can just go racing and try to get more of them.

AM : How would you rate this year so far?

MK : I’d give us an A; we’re not an A+, which is perfect. We’ve been running good lately, we had some bad luck at the beginning of the year, and we’ve had some pit stop issues that has cost us some spots in some races. But, all in all, an A.

AM : What is your goal for this year?

MK : The goal for this year would be obviously to win the championship. I’d like to win more races and try to lead as many laps as possible.

AM : Where do you see yourself in five years?

MK : Hopefully full-time Sprint Cup and if not Sprint Cup, then Nationwide.

AM : Who’s your racing idol?

MK : Jeff Gordon because he’s taken a lot of heat from a lot of people and stays level headed, presents himself well and on top of that, he has a family and he does a good job of balancing racing and his family. He’s also one heck of a driver, he’s always running up front and when times are bad, he’s always looking at the positives.

AM : What is some of your advice for drivers coming up through the ranks?

MK : It’s hard work, nothing comes easy. Keep training everyday, trying to make yourself better, and you’re never at the top. You can always be better at something so never settle for just being good. Keep pushing yourself even if you’re winning races ‘cause you can always be better so keep trying to make yourself better each day.

AM : What are some of your hobbies away from the race track?

MK : I like boating, spending time with my family and playing golf.