Throughout the course of history, certain iconic people have left their mark with us by leaving us with phrases that we apply to situations that happen in our lives or to individuals that we can apply them to. For instance, President Rosevelt said for us to “Speak softly and carry a big stick.” This phrase is used quite commonly to describe people with a quiet demeaner to them but they shine their strenghs in other ways. We as race fans can adhere to this by using the addage to describe such drivers as Junior Johnson or the “Silver Fox”, David Pearson. Moving closer to our cicle, one may say “Farmer John” Matthews or even the late Ed Gibbons held true to this saying, and more recently our 2008 Late Model Champion, Shaun Harrell seems to qualify as well.

Along with a career in racing that started in 1996, Shaun Harrell brought a unique quality to the dirt scene, timidness. As one passes through the pits on a given Saturday evening, you can’t help but notice the laid back almost carefree swagger that surrounds the 29 year old youngster from Raeford. While most drivers are tense and eager, Harrell almost portrays a man sitting on a beach somewhere on our beautiful coastline. His carrer began with a short stint through the rough and tumble Super Street class,and eventually a title came his way in 2003. Though the experience was rather tough, Harrell admits it was worth it..”Those guys in the SS are a tough bunch of cats, there is no give and take, its every man for himself every night!” “ I learned alot from that class, not only about the cars but also how to take care of your equipment during a race and that is what i attributed my early sucess in the Late Models to.” So it was time to move on, time to graduate to the 550 horsepower ground pounding late models, or was it?

As Dale Jr. does each week, let's take a trip " Back in the Day." Back when most racers left the friendly comfines of home and headed..east. That's right, east. Back when the hard nose dirt track stars of their era raced at Wilson County or Wake County then turned thier attention to the rugged little track on the coast, Leland Speedway. Once a hot bed, the little town of Leland has grown silent in recent years, that was until 1998.

Leland needed a face to put itself back on the racing map, so Willie Milliken decided that he was best suited for the job. Starting with a Charger Championship right out of the box, Milliken found a home at Lakeview Speedway in 98. Things would only improve from there, as he dashed to a Super Street title in 2002. Suddenly, everyone was saying, who's this kid, and what town is he from again? In 2003, Willie won a Super Street title at FMS and little did he know, it was just the beginning.

You've progressed quickly over the course of three years in the Open Wheel Modified division.  What specific improvements have you made as a driver during this time?

This is actually only my second full season.  I raced a full season in the Open Wheel Modified class in 2007 and finished 3rd for the season in the points.  I began racing the Open Wheel Mods in July of the 2006 season. As far as improvements are concerned, the decisions made about the racecar this season were focused on achieving championship status. Decisions made by race teams and drivers in the pits and on the track are equally important when trying to attain a common goal, especially a championship.

Friends and family reminded me often to look at the big picture and focus on the greatest victory instead of compromising the chance at becoming a champion for a single victory. I have enjoyed every minute that I have spent behind the wheel of an open wheel modified. To win the 2008 championship is only an added bonus to a prominent season.