JACKSONVILLE, NC – When New River All American Speedway reopened in 2021, retired Army sergeant and former USMC corporal Michael Withrow was in the stands watching with his family. Months later, he would be on the other side of the catch fence.
Withrow, 42, had a love for racing at an early age growing up just a few miles away from the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indiana. In high school, he was working on engines for cars that would compete on the open-wheel racing circuit before his life’s adventures brought him to North Carolina.
“Being from the Speed City, I lived five minutes from the speedway,” Withrow asaid. “I helped build IndyCar racing engines when I was in high school, and then I went into the Marines. For infantry school and engineering, I got stationed at Camp Lejeune. Otherwise, I spent three years in Japan.”
During that time, Withrow would attend NASCAR Cup Series races at nearby venues. He made his first visit to New River All American Speedway on July 31, 2021 when Anthony Goodyear reopened the track under a new name. From there, Withrow dreamed a dream.
During the first months of operation, Withrow volunteered with his wife, Tiffany, and four kids on race nights. Eventually, he would contact a competitor in the Bomber division and begin his own racing journey.
“We didn’t get into short track racing until New River opened back up,” Withrow explained. “We attended the races and wanted to get into it. I started looking around trying to find a race car and everything and the track put me in touch with a former driver. It’s been a journey since, from not knowing anything when it comes to racing a car to getting where I’m able to hold my own and finish on the lead lap. It’s definitely been a journey, and a lot of learning.”
Withrow scored his first career podium finish in the Bomber portion of the Gary Rochelle Memorial in October 2023. During podium celebrations and photo ops, every driver in the Bomber division celebrated with Withrow on the frontstretch.
“I’ve never felt so much joy and happiness getting that podium” Withrow commented. “It may have been third place but it felt to me like I won the race. Everybody’s support, everybody out there to celebrate with me, it felt amazing.”
During the awards banquet for the 2023 season, Withrow was honored with the Benett Jewett “Never Give Up” Award for his perseverance and determination. He has been referred to as “The Little Engine That Could.”
Now, Withrow is hoping he can finish the deal and pull off a victory.
“That would be the highlight of my racing career,” Withrow stated. “Being able to get that first place finish after three years of trying, learning, and honing my skill, to finally be able to accomplish it. I’ve got some bugs to work out with the new car and got to work on tire conservation because I keep tearing right fronts every race.”
While race days can sometimes be challenging, Withrow has enjoyed the journey. Whether it’s on track, or spending the day with his family and the racing family in the pits at New River All American Speedway, Withrow is usually all smiles.
“It’s a blast,” Withrow commented. “I love race days. Getting up, coming out there, seeing everybody. It’s like a giant family. I love coming out every weekend and racing. On top of the racing family, I wouldn’t be able to do it without the support of Tiffany (wife) and the kids (Jayleen, Courtney, Dakota, and Miley). It’s a family effort, a team effort, and we’re all in this together.”
The Withrow family has volunteered at the track for several projects throughout the years. His youngest daughter, Miley, has performed the National Anthem several times and his oldest daughter, Jayleen, has assisted with some of the track’s media obligations.
The Bomber division, which is New River All American Speedway’s Division III in the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series, will be in action on Saturday night in the Summer Freedom 150 along with Chargers, Mini Stocks, Legend Cars and Bandoleros.
New River All-American Speedway is Jacksonville’s Action Attraction featuring racing and other events. For more information about New River All-American Speedway, check out the speedway’s website, like/follow “New River Speedway” on Facebook and/or follow @newriverswy on X (formerly known as Twitter).
