[Michael Beard]

Drag racing is my life, yes, and that's by choice. I've worked my whole life toward doing what I love. I worked at Mickey D's as a kid, then a sign shop for the same money, before going to work for Bill Bader's IHRA, 2000-2002, as webmaster, journalist and jack of all trades. Missed racing Stock, so I left to work for Quaker City Raceway. Won the Stock World Championship in 2003, then decided that in order to race how and when I wanted, I needed to run my own business. Started a sign shop in NE Ohio, and began my solo career of being "independently poor". Met Jill while I was there, and a couple years later we moved to North Carolina. Refocused my business on strictly graphic design and printing for drag racers and dragstrips, running it out of my home. Living in NC allowed me to run 56 races a year (but still home every week... Don't think I've ever stayed out on the road from week to week). Still towing with a 4.7L Dodge Ram (14mpg this weekend!), and an open trailer that I won in a Shootout race when I was a kid. Because I play it close to the vest and have been blessed with success on the track, I make money racing. Because of what I do, racing IS the advertising for my business -- I HAVE to race. (Good excuse, right?).

I told Jill she could have a ring when I got out of debt. Ran myself in the finals of the 2008 World Footbrake Challenge $10K (Win and R/U), and proposed to her over the phone right then and there. We were married that November. She's ultimately supportive, and goes when she can, a few times a year. Even got her to race the Turismo a couple times last year!

I'm never going to be rich, but I'm happy! You have to do what you love, and love what you do.