MYRTLE BEACH, SC :: Justin Milliken, who will soon welcome a daughter into his family, is hoping his fourth win of the 2014 season comes in Sunday’s Myrtle Beach 400 and, after finishing second in Myrtle Beach Speedway’s track championship standings, he feels optimistic about his chances.
Milliken often outperformed the competition at Myrtle Beach Speedway during the regular season – finishing second in points with three wins in spite of missing a race. Now, he’s got his sights set on Sunday’s race where he’s hoping to overcome some bad luck in last year’s race and get back to competitive form in the Myrlte Beach 400.
“I feel like we’ve got a good chance,” Milliken said. “That warm up race, we put a motor back in the car and finished second to Josh Berry which, for an underfunded like me to finish second to him, it shows where we’re at with my program to outrun Deac and those guys and I think we’re in pretty good shape going into the 400. It was pretty cool to have a warm up race. That’s something that they’ve never had before.”
Milliken did express concerns about the rules package for the race relating to the crate engines and those cars being equal in weight to the cars running built motors.
“I’m a little bit nervous or whatever kind of how the rules are going to be with the same weight as the Ford Crate. It’s a little bit ridiculous. It’s a huge advantage. We’re talking 40-50 horsepower more and the same weight. If Martinsville is putting more weight on the Fords and Myrtle Beach does not, there’s got to be a problem.”
Milliken also extended his congratulations to his friend and longtime Late Model racer Matt McCall, recently tapped by Chip Ganassi Racing to be the crew chief for Jamie McMurray.
“I’m happy for Matt. He and his wife are coming Saturday to hang out with us. I don’t know if I can talk him in to Crew Chiefing him for the race but it’s cool to have him down there with the announcement that was just made. Matt has helped me tremendously the last few years. In fact, he was planning on running this race until this deal came through. I’m disappointed we won’t have a chance to race together with him.”
This will also be the final time Milliken comes to the racetrack without a child. He and his wife, Carmen, are expecting their first child shortly after the start of the new year. Milliken would certainly love the $15,000 that goes to the winner for baby supplies if he is to win. Regardless, he’s excited about the next chapter of his life. And racing will be a part of that chapter as well.
“I’ve got a big next year. I’m going to be a daddy. I’m going to have a little girl on January 6th. I’m looking forward to that part of my life. My dad’s going to be a grandfather and I can’t wait take her to the races. One thing that I’ve learned from my dad is that families that race together stay together and that’s what I want to carry on with my family. Me and my dad are as thick as thieves and I just want to carry that on.”
Milliken, who is supported by Bell & Bell Buick GMC, Terry Evans Performance Racing Engines and Shallotte Electric, has an exciting winter ahead and beginning his winter with a victory in the Myrtle Beach 400 would not just be popular with him but also with the Myrtle Beach Speedway faithful.
