Mike Weeks has a new job and a new outlook on life.
The 40 year-old appeared to be out of racing a few short years ago. His father, Lester, shut down the family-owned race team because of health issues and lack of funding. After a few driving stints and other jobs in racing, Weeks started a new chapter in his professional and person life.
Weeks spent a few months working for his good friend Randy Weaver in 2014 when Weaver started out running for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Rookie of the Year. After a few months on the road, Weeks decided that was not the life he wanted.
Recently married at the time, Weeks said being on the road with a new family at home was not appealing and he left Weaver’s team to pursue other opportunities.
Mike Weeks
It was a few months later when Weeks began talking with one of his friends Randle Chupp. Chupp had started his Wolfpack Racing business where he builds cars, works on shocks and setups for clients. Chupp was ready to move his business from the Charlotte area to east Tennessee to be near his children. Chupp needed employees and talked to Weeks about working for him at his new shop in Cleveland.
Weeks took the position and has a new perspective on how today’s racing operates.
“I’ve really learned a lot since working for Randle,” Weeks said. “Racing is changing so much right now. When I was racing for my dad, we didn’t have the money to try stuff. We just run with what we had and had to maintain where we was at. I didn’t see some of the things other people were starting to do because I was focused on just getting by with what we had. I see those things now and am amazed we were able to run with them with what we had.”
Earlier this year, Drew Kennedy and his father, Billy Glen, were looking to improve a Longhorn car they had bought and raced a few times. The younger Kennedy called Weeks about taking their car to the Wolfpack shop in Cleveland. It was there a new relationship started for Weeks.
“I talked to Drew on the phone,” Weeks recalled. “They brought their car to Wolfpack so we could work on it a bit. We kept the car for a couple of weeks. We really got to know each other.”
“Billy Glenn called and asked if I wanted to race one of their cars at Tazewell. It was the Charles Trammell Memorial race. Drew was going to be out of town and they had already planned on running at Tazewell. We went there and had a pretty good night. I run fourth and they were pleased.”
Weeks started going with the Kennedy team to help out and a bond began.
“I see a lot of me in him,” Weeks said of Drew. “Especially the way he and his dad are, they remind me of how it was with me and my dad early on in my racing.”
Drew Kennedy in victory lane at Wartburg Speedway (photo from Drew Kennedy’s Facebook page)
Weeks got the opportunity to race a few more times for the Kennedys in the spring. Weeks won a sportsman race at Wartburg. It was a few days later when tragedy would strike the Kennedys.
Drew’s younger brother, Dylan, was found dead. It devastated the family and even shook Weeks.
“Dylan and Drew are like little brothers to me,” Weeks said. “When they called to tell me Dylan had died, it just floored me. I couldn’t believe it. We were there at the track a few nights before and then he was gone.”
Weeks said Dylan’s death was especially hard on the family because of their family-owned business.
“They own their own funeral home,” Weeks pointed out. “That’s a tough business to be in because you’re always dealing with grief. It’s tough for any family to lose someone. But to lose one of your children and it’s your funeral home on top of that, I can’t imagine going through something like that.”
With a new job and a new racing opportunity, Weeks made changes in his personal life after getting married.
“I didn’t race much for a year,” Weeks said. “I drove a few times for a few different people, but it was nothing regular. But I figured before I could start racing again, I needed to get my family life straightened out and my own life straightened out.”
“Dad had a heart attack and there was a lot going on with him. I got right with the Lord. I’m much more at peace with my life than I ever have been. All of that has shown me there is more to life than racing. I still love racing, I still have a job in it. But you got to put your family first.”
Mike Weeks driving a Kennedy car at 411 Motor Speedway.
Weeks is especially appreciative of the bond he has made with the Kennedy family over the past year.
“They’re just good, humble people and they love to race,” Weeks added. “I believe things happen for a reason. I feel like me getting my life straightened out led me to the Kennedys. I can’t think of another group of people I’d rather be around. They’re just like family.”
