Michael Self

Self started racing at age eleven in go-karts. Self was a Rotax Max driver and won a regional championship and finished well enough in the national championship to represent America in the world championships. He switched to open-wheel cars five years later and came to stock cars at age eighteen, debuting in late models.{{Cite web|url=http://hometracks.nascar.com/driver/michael-self|title=Michael Self|website=hometracks.nascar.com|access-date=2018-01-09}} The stock car opportunity came around the time of the CART-IndyCar split; Self had scholarship money from Mazda waiting but passed on the opportunity. Throughout his early developmental career, Self's family funded his efforts; the family ran out of money around 2013.{{cite web |title=Episode 77: Michael Self |url=https://soundcloud.com/user-588512689/episode-77-michael-self |website=SoundCloud |publisher=Davey Segal |access-date=October 15, 2020 |date=October 14, 2020}}

In 2009, Self ran two races with Motorway Motorsports, starting and parking. After going full-time with Motorway in 2010, Self was signed by the Golden Gate Racing Team, a team owned by Jim Offenbach which was an affiliate of Richard Childress Racing, for the final two races of the season.{{Cite web|url=http://hometracks.nascar.com/team_release/GGRT_Returns_To_Action_With_Michael_Self|title=GGRT Returns To Action With Michael Self {{!}} NASCAR Home Tracks|website=hometracks.nascar.com|access-date=2017-03-24}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.motorsport.com/nascar/news/ws-ggrt-rcr-sign-michael-self/|title=WS: GGRT/RCR sign Michael Self|work=Motorsport.com|access-date=2017-03-24|language=en}}

The partnership with GGRT extended into 2011, with Self driving top-tier equipment. However, there were missteps, like a crash in Sonoma qualifying that relegated him to the back of the field. With a car that his crew chief described as "winning", Self worked his way through the field using his car and crashed again, finishing 25th.{{Cite web|url=http://hometracks.nascar.com/michael-self_tackles_learning_curve_in_NASCAR_feature|title=Self Tackles Learning Curve In NASCAR {{!}} NASCAR Home Tracks|website=hometracks.nascar.com|access-date=2017-03-24}} He finished seventh in points with three top fives. The following year, Self broke out, winning three races and only finishing out of the top ten six times in a fifteen race season. He improved to sixth in points. In 2013, Self won three races in a row{{Cite web|url=http://www.knfilters.com/news/news.aspx?id=4543|title=Michael Self Wins Third NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Race in a Row at Lebanon I-44 Speedway|last=Inc|first=K&N Engineering|website=K&N Filters Product and Racing News|access-date=2017-03-24}} and never fell out of the top six in points to finish fourth. Despite the six wins, Self did not return to the RCR driver development lineup in 2014.

In 2017, Self returned to the West Series for a part-time schedule of races with Sunrise Ford Racing. He was contacted by team owner Bob Bruncati about running the car, and initially refused on a basis of a lack of sponsorship. Once Bruncati made it known that no sponsorship was needed, Self agreed to drive it for the rest of the season.{{cite web |title=Michael Self Makes Most of Opportunity for Sunrise Ford Team in NASCAR K&N Pro Series West |url=https://www.knfilters.com/blog/michael-self-makes-most-of-opportunity-for-sunrise-ford-team-in-nascar-kn-pro-series-west/ |website=K&N Filters |access-date=September 8, 2020 |date=August 22, 2017}} He won the race at Meridian Speedway after Chris Eggleston was disqualified for jumping the final restart.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/KN-Pro-Series/News/Articles/2017/09/Michael-Self-Awarded-Meridian-Victory.aspx|title=Michael Self Awarded Meridian Victory - NASCAR K&N Pro Series News - MRN.com|website=www.mrn.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-01-09}} He finished in the top ten in all of his starts and won another race, at All American Speedway.

With no ride in the K&N Pro Series West, Self joined Venturini Motorsports for two ARCA Racing Series events in 2014, the first at Mobile International Speedway.{{Cite news|url=https://www.racechaseronline.com/featured/arca-ready-venturini-arca-debut/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170325024814/https://www.racechaseronline.com/featured/arca-ready-venturini-arca-debut/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=March 25, 2017|title=ARCA: Self ready for Venturini, ARCA debut|date=2014-03-20|work=Race Chaser Online|access-date=2017-03-24|language=en-US}} He failed to finish either of his starts due to mechanical issues. Again without a ride in any national series, Self partnered with Ranier Racing with MDM for a race at Kansas Speedway in 2016,{{Cite news|url=http://workingonmyredneck.com/index.php/2016/10/13/michael-self-debuts-with-ranier-racing-at-the-kansas-speedway-arca-race/|title=Michael Self Debuts With Ranier Racing At The Kansas Speedway ARCA Race|date=2016-10-13|work=Working On My Redneck ™|access-date=2017-03-24|language=en-US}} in which he finished third. He spotted for Justin Haley in 2015 and 2016 at various races.{{Cite news|url=https://www.arcaracing.com/articles/2006940-multi-tasker-michael-self-tests-with-mdm-at-lor-iowa-next|title=Multi-tasker Michael Self tests with MDM at LOR; Iowa next|work=ARCA Racing|access-date=2018-01-09|language=en}}

In January 2017, Self announced that he would return to the No. 28 for the renamed MDM Motorsports (due to Ranier leaving the team as a co-owner) for the season-opening race at Daytona.{{Cite web|url=https://racingnews.co/2017/01/28/michael-self-racing-sinclair-racecar-arca/|title=Michael Self Racing Sinclair Racecar - Daytona Debut - ARCA Racing Series|date=2017-01-28|website=Racing News|access-date=2017-03-24}} After running inside the top ten at Daytona, Sinclair Oil Corporation added more races with Self in both the ARCA series and K&N Series with MDM and Mason Mitchell Motorsports on the ARCA side and Sunrise Ford Racing on the NASCAR side.{{Cite news|url=https://www.sinclairoil.com/news/corporate-news/self-and-sinclair-partner-eight-additional-races-nascar-debut-2017|title=SELF AND SINCLAIR PARTNER FOR EIGHT ADDITIONAL RACES, NASCAR DEBUT IN 2017|date=2017-06-05|work=Sinclair Oil Corporation|access-date=2018-01-09|language=en}} Self finished inside the top five in three of his next four races before he won the season finale at Kansas Speedway, beating out Ty Majeski in a five-wide race after the final restart. Self gave the credit to his spotter Derek Kneeland, who also was the spotter for NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Larson at the time.{{Cite news|url=http://autoweek.com/article/other-motorsports/michael-self-wins-career-first-arca-race-kansas-austin-theriault-clinches|title=Michael Self wins career-first ARCA race at Kansas; Austin Theriault clinches championship|work=Autoweek|access-date=2018-01-09}}

On January 8, 2018, it was announced that Self and Sinclair partnered with Venturini Motorsports for half of the 2018 ARCA Racing Series schedule.{{Cite news|url=https://www.sinclairoil.com/news/michael-self-sinclair-oil-partner-venturini-motorsports-2018-arca-season|title=Michael Self, Sinclair Oil Partner with Venturini Motorsports for 2018 ARCA Season|date=2018-01-08|work=Sinclair Oil Corporation|access-date=2018-01-09|language=en}} The schedule includes races at Daytona, Nashville, Talladega, Charlotte, Michigan, Chicagoland, Lucas Oil Raceway, Salem and Kansas.{{Cite news|url=https://www.arcaracing.com/articles/2008891-michael-self-sinclair-oil-partner-with-venturini-motorsport-for-2018|title=Michael Self, Sinclair Oil partner with Venturini Motorsports for 2018|work=ARCA Racing|access-date=2018-01-09|language=en}} Both driver and sponsor had previous experience with Venturini, as Self had raced with the team in ARCA and the Venturini family had operated Sinclair gas stations.{{Cite news|url=https://www.speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/racing-news/41665-michael-self-sinclair-oil-partner-with-venturini-motorsports-for-2018-arca-season|title=Michael Self, Sinclair Oil Partner with Venturini Motorsports for 2018 ARCA Season|last=Wilson|first=Steven B.|access-date=2018-01-09|language=en-gb}}

Self began the 2018 ARCA season by winning the season-opening Lucas Oil 200 at Daytona.{{cite web|url=https://www.motorsport.com/arca/news/michael-self-wins-arca-daytona-1003984/|title=Michael Self escapes carnage, wins ARCA season-opener at Daytona|last=Utter|first=Jim|work=Motorsport.com|publisher=Motorsport Network|date=February 10, 2018|access-date=February 11, 2018}} He followed up with a win at Chicagoland in late June, avenging a near-loss in the 2017 edition of the event. Self beat Riley Herbst and Sheldon Creed on the final restart to secure the victory.{{cite web |title=Michael Self wins big in ARCA at Chicagoland |url=https://autoweek.com/article/nascar/michael-self-wins-big-arca-chicagoland |website=Autoweek |date=June 28, 2018 |access-date=20 January 2019}} At Salem Speedway in fall, Self and Zane Smith got in a racing incident early in the race, leading Smith to retaliate by intentionally destroying Self's car later in the race. Smith was later penalized by ARCA for the incident.{{cite web |last1=Niehaus |first1=Matt |title=ARCA Hands Zane Smith A Light Penalty For Intentionally Wrecking Michael Self At Salem |url=http://www.apexoff.com/2018/09/19/arca-hand-zane-smith-light-penalty-intentionally-wrecking-michael-self-salem/ |website=Apex Off |access-date=20 January 2019}}

On January 11, 2019, Self and Venturini announced a full schedule for the 2019 ARCA Menards Series season in the team's No. 25 entry.{{cite web |title=Self & Sinclair Team Up For ARCA Championship Run |url=https://speedsport.com/stock-cars/arca-stock-cars/self-sinclair-team-arca-title-run/ |website=Speed Sport |access-date=20 January 2019}} He won the series' first trip to Five Flags Speedway since 1996 in March, outlasting Kaden Honeycutt and Ty Gibbs during the final green-flag run.{{cite web |last1=Keith |first1=Bryan |title=ARCA Breakdown: 2019 Pensacola 200 |url=https://www.frontstretch.com/2019/03/10/arca-breakdown-2019-pensacola-200/ |website=Frontstretch |date=March 10, 2019 |access-date=10 March 2019}} He followed that up with a win in the season's third race at Salem Speedway after rain arrived after 101 of 200 laps, ultimately handing him the win. At Charlotte Motor Speedway in May, Self won the pole, led the most laps and at one point had over a 10-second advantage over the field, but slapped the wall in the closing portion of the race and faded to fifth.{{cite web |last1=Allaway |first1=Phil |title=Michael Self Embarrassed With Himself After Unforced Error |url=https://www.frontstretch.com/2019/05/23/michael-self-embarrassed-with-himself-after-unforced-error/ |website=Frontstretch |date=May 23, 2019 |access-date=24 May 2019}} He continued his tear in the front half of the season by leading 85 or 100 laps and winning at Michigan International Speedway in June,{{cite web |last1=Kristl |first1=Mark |title=Michael Self Wins VizCom 200 in Fuel-Mileage Race |url=https://www.frontstretch.com/2019/06/07/michael-self-wins-vizcom-200-in-fuel-mileage-race/ |website=Frontstretch |date=June 7, 2019 |access-date=10 June 2019}} but was penalized after the race, keeping his points lead small.{{cite web |last1=Weaver |first1=Matt |title=ARCA penalizes points leader after Michigan win |url=https://autoweek.com/article/nascar/arca-penalizes-points-leader-after-michigan-win |website=Autoweek |date=June 12, 2019 |access-date=14 June 2019}} At the Allen Crowe 100, Self claimed his first dirt triumph, beating Venturini teammate Christian Eckes on a late restart.{{cite web |last1=Tomlinson |first1=Joy |title=Michael Self Wins 4th Race of 2019 in Overtime at Illinois State Fair |url=https://www.frontstretch.com/2019/08/18/michael-self-wins-4th-race-of-2019-in-overtime-at-illinois-state-fair/ |website=Frontstretch |date=August 18, 2019 |access-date=19 August 2019}} Late-season mechanical failures and a lack of restart speed in the season finale at Kansas Speedway, dropping Self to second in the season-long points tally behind Eckes.{{cite web |last1=Bearden |first1=Aaron |title=Michael Self cherishing second chance after a narrow ARCA title loss |url=https://motorsportsbeat.com/michael-self-cherishing-second-chance-after-a-narrow-arca-title-loss/ |website=Motorsports Beat |access-date=February 28, 2020 |date=February 8, 2020}}

After originally only securing enough funding for a partial season, Self returned full-time to Venturini Motorsports in 2020. He began the season by winning the Lucas Oil 200 at Daytona.{{cite web|url=https://nascar.nbcsports.com/2020/02/08/michael-self-hailie-deegan-finish-1-2-in-arca-season-opener/|title=Michael Self, Hailie Deegan finish 1-2 in ARCA season opener|last=Bonkowski|first=Jerry|publisher=NBC Sports|date=February 8, 2020|access-date=February 8, 2020}} Self won his second race of the season at the General Tire 100, the series' inaugural race on the road course layout at Daytona.{{Cite web|last=Winningham|first=Brett|title=ARCA: Michael Self Claims Victory on Road Course at Daytona|url=https://speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/racing-news/57918-arca-michael-self-claims-victory-at-daytona-road-course|access-date=2021-02-03|website=speedwaydigest.com|date=August 15, 2020 |language=en-gb}} He finished second in the championship to Bret Holmes.{{cite web |last1=Gillispie |first1=Zach |title=Corey Heim Wins Kansas, Bret Holmes Completes Dream Season to Claim 2020 ARCA Championship |url=https://www.frontstretch.com/2020/10/16/corey-heim-wins-kansas-bret-holmes-completes-dream-season-to-claim-2020-arca-championship/ |website=Frontstretch |access-date=October 16, 2020 |date=October 16, 2020}}

Self made his first Xfinity Series start in 2015, replacing Landon Cassill at Iowa Speedway in JD Motorsports' No. 01 entry. In doing so, Self became the first driver from Utah to compete in a NASCAR national series.{{Cite web|url=http://teamjdmotorsports.com/michael-self-joins-jd-motorsports/|title=MICHAEL SELF JOINS JD MOTORSPORTS|website=teamjdmotorsports.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-03-24}} After crashing in his first start, Self ran six other races for JD, culminating in an eleventh-place finish at Road America driving the No. 4.

Self attended the University of Utah.{{Cite web|url=http://www.spiresportsinc.com/michael-self|title=Michael Self|website=www.spiresportsinc.com|access-date=2017-03-24}} He later attended Central Piedmont Community College, UNC Charlotte and UNC Greensboro.{{cite web |last1=Krall |first1=Charles |title=Self Reflection: ARCA Menards Points Leaders Focusing On Normal Routine |url=https://www.arcaracing.com/2020/03/28/self-reflection-arca-menards-points-leaders-focusing-on-normal-routine/ |website=ARCA Menards Series |publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC |access-date=May 10, 2020 |date=March 28, 2020}} When he is not racing, he is a road racing coach and has worked with Chip Ganassi Racing. Self moved from Utah to California at the genesis of his K&N career and then later to North Carolina around 2014. Self and his wife Dana married in 2017.{{cite web |url=http://www.venturinimotorsports.com/news/index.cfm?cid=68649 |title=Wedding Vows for Today's Modern Racer; Until Death Do We Part, Unless of Course I'm Racing |website=Venturini Motorsports |publisher=Digital Momentum |date=October 1, 2018 |access-date=September 9, 2020}}

File:Michael Self Sonoma 2011.jpg|Self in the West Series race at Sonoma in 2011

File:Michael Self Sonoma 2017.jpg|Self in the No. 9 for Sunrise Ford at Sonoma in 2017

File:Michael Self Michigan 2018.jpg|Self in the Venturini No. 15 in 2018 at Michigan

File:25MichaelSelfBesideCar2019ShoreLunch200.jpg|Self standing beside his Venturini No. 25 before the race at Madison in 2019

File:Michael Self Mid-Ohio Xfinity 2015.jpg|Self drove the No. 0 for JD Motorsports at Mid-Ohio

File:4 Michael Self 2015 Road America.jpg|Self drove the No. 4 for JD Motorsports at Road America

File:Michael self (33876868418).jpg|Self and his wife Dana at Talladega in 2019

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

{{sup|*}} Season still in progress

{{sup|1}} Ineligible for series points

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Michael Self}}

• {{Racing-Reference driver|Michael_Self}}

{{Venturini Motorsports}}

{{JD Motorsports}}

{{Sunrise Ford Racing}}

{{Ranier Racing with MDM}}

{{Richard Childress Racing}}

{{Mason Mitchell Motorsports}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Self, Michael}}

Category:1990 births

Category:ARCA Menards Series drivers

Category:NASCAR drivers

Category:Living people

Category:Racing drivers from Utah

Category:Sportspeople from Park City, Utah

Category:University of Utah alumni

Category:University of North Carolina at Charlotte alumni

Category:University of North Carolina at Greensboro alumni

Category:Trans-Am Series drivers