GR native follows his auto-racing dream to Canada
Marc Miller opens his office door with the only key on his ring -- a car key.
The Holland resident's work day is spent behind the wheel, hugging corners at speeds beyond 100 mph in his Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
Miller, 28, a native of Grand Rapids, is the only American who competes in the Canadian Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. Miller will race Saturday in the Molson Indy road race beginning in downtown Toronto.
In his first race last month, Miller placed ninth out of 26 cars on the Mosport Road Course in Bowmanville, Ontario.
He will take part in three additional road races this summer. Financial constraints keep him from running a full 12-race schedule.
"I'm really excited to start the races," said Miller, who expects to be more competitive this year. "I've cut off a few seconds when I tested in Toronto and it was raining. If it wasn't for the rain I could have shaved a few more seconds off."
Miller began his CASCAR career in 2002 when he crossed paths with Dave Connelly, a former rival driver.
Connelly owns Miller's Carhartt-sponsored car, and Miller is using Connelly's old pit crew.
"He's one of the most amazing guys I've met. I thank God every day that I impressed him enough to let me drive his cars," Miller said.
Connelly has helped Miller make connections and gain financial backing.
"We've grown as a team," Connelly said. "My job is basically to work with sponsors. We're tied into a number of national sponsors throughout Canada."
Miller has a degree in communications from Western Michigan University, and he said that's helped him work with his pit crew.
"I've been able to have my own input, but really I've gotten along with the guys so well," Miller said.
Connelly agreed.
"The difference with Mark is that he has the ability to work with people and the crew," he said. "His ability to communicate is the difference between him and the other 100 guys racing."
Shortly after Miller was born, his family moved to Virginia -- "stock car country," Miller said. The first time he ever saw a go-kart, he knew racing was for him.
"There wasn't anything (else) that I ever did that I just went 'I need to do this forever,' " Miller said.
Miller began go-kart racing at 11. When he was 14, he took part in a 50-lap stock car race in Virginia. Miller and his father built the car in their home garage.
"We ended up placing six of 15 cars," Miller said. "The only person that knew I was 14 was the track owner. He wasn't allowed to tell anybody for legal purposes. I raced against guys that were 30 and 40 years old."
Besides racing, Miller designs logos for race cars with a graphic design business he started in college. He has been married for 3 1/2 years to his wife, Jackie, a pharmacy technician. They are expecting their first child in August.
"I going to treat him like my father treated me," Miller said. "I'm going to let him do whatever makes him happy. But you know he'll have a go-kart."