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ONE-ON-ONE WITH TYLER TRAINOR
By: Rich Murray
Though Tyler Trainor is just 22 years old, he is the elder statesman by STARS National Midget standards. The Illinois driver stands atop the list of all-time career feature starts in STARS history. Tyler comes from the same hometown as two-time UARA Midget champion, one-time USAC National Midget champion and National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame inductee Bob Tattersall.
Trainor drives the #25 Hawk chassis owned by his father, Tom. The two man crew of Tom and Tyler does all the work on the cars. In his fourth year behind the wheel of a national midget, Trainor is still seeking his first win. Tyler would like to thank his sponsors Real Wheels, American Racer Tires, Bell Racing Helmets, TNT Lawn Care, Trainor Flooring, B&R Grocery, Plymouth Tube, Parkway Club in Streator, Bodus Electric, S.J. Welding Supply and MJ Trackworks.
CAREER STATS:
FEATURE STARTS: 40 (1st all-time)
TOP-FIVE FEATURE FINISHES: 16 (5th all-time)
TOP-TEN FEATURE FINISHES: 35 (1st all-time)
FAST QUALIFYING TIMES: 3 (5th all-time)
HEAT RACE WINS: 3 (11th all-time)
2014 STATS:
POINT STANDINGS: 2nd
FEATURE STARTS: 11 As of September 20th)
TOP-FIVES: 5
TOP-TENS: 11
FAST QUALIFYING TIMES: 1
HEAT RACE WINS: 2
1. What is your birth date?
April 13, 1992
2. What is your family's background in racing?
My family has always been a fan of racing. Growing up, my dad sponsored drivers and we would go to the track to see them race. I am the first person in my family to race competitively.
3. Can you tell me how you got into midget/open wheel racing?
We were racing karts nationally and some friends of ours, Jim and Alex Coonan, raced midgets and sprint cars. That influenced us to start racing open wheeled midgets and I couldn't thank them enough.
4. Can you talk about your first years in racing?
I started out racing go-karts on road courses at the age of 10 in 2004. It really gave me a lot of experience traveling and going to different tracks. From 2004 to 2007, I won nine championships between local and regional ranks with two national wins. My first years in a midget were rough. My first night ended with me hitting the wall. From that point until the next season, we struggled with engine and fuel problems.
5. How many years of racing experience do you have? Years of midget experience?
I've been racing for 10 years with 2014 being my 7th year in a midget and 4 years in a national midget.
6. Take me through a week in the life of your racing team. What it does it take to be not only prepared, but also successful at the track on the weekend?
I believe that in order to be successful, it takes time in the race shop. We’re working on our car usually six days a week. We tear our car apart every Monday and have a check-off list that we go through each week.
7. Can you talk about why you race and what kind of thrill you get out of it? When you tell your friends that you race, what do they say?
I love to race! Ever since I was a kid, I bugged my dad to race. Going around the track gets my adrenaline going. My adrenaline is what really gets me. There's not a better feeling than that. Most of the time, when I tell my friends that I race, most of them take it as a joke; I have to explain what kind of car a midget is.
8. What is your favorite track?
Rockford Speedway
9. Who owns your midget and who is on your crew?
We own two cars. For the crew, it’s just my father and I that who care of everything.
10. What is your occupation?
Currently, I am a welder for Vactor Manufacturing and I weld parts for hydro excavators.
11. What is your educational background?
I am currently going to college part time. My major is Computer-Aided Design Engineer. I graduated in 2010 from high school.
12. What does your daily schedule look like? How do you balance racing, school, work and your social life?
I am always on the go. I wake up around 8:30, eat breakfast, and then I take off to our race shop. I usually work there until 12 to 12:30 when I am not in school. When I am in school, I usually work at our shop until 11 o’clock, and then go home and work on my homework. I try taking online classes because the school is about 30 minutes away from where I live. Once I have all that done, I work from 2 to 11pm, and then I repeat the same thing the next day. I have a lot of energy at the beginning of the week, but around Wednesday or Thursday, I am worn out. Come Saturday, after a long week, I think it’s all worth it.
13. Do you have any days off? If so, what do you do on your days off?
Sunday is my day off. Usually, I go to the gym and workout and, after that, I try to relax and prepare for the next week.
14. What are your future aspirations in racing?
I want to be a professional racer! I would like to race anything as long as the opportunity is there.
15. Who are your racing idols?
I am a fan of Jimmie Johnson. What he’s been able to do in NASCAR, I could only dream of. By far, Bob Tattersall is my midget racing idol. Everything you hear of him just makes you wish you were there to see him race.
16. Can you talk about some of your racing highlights/accomplishments so far?
I have won the national karting most improved driver award in two divisions. I have also won the hard charger award for the Illini Racing Series and also the Bob Tattersall Hard Charger Award with the Short Track Auto Racing Series (STARS). My first win in a kart was in South Bend, Indiana and my first win in a midget was at Rockford Speedway. I never kept track of how many wins I had in karts because we were racing four times in two days. I have three wins with the Illini Racing Series. I have won nine championships in karting between local and regional series. My biggest racing thrill and most memorable race was my first midget win at Rockford Speedway. We just about ran out of fuel and fought for the lead for the last three laps.
17. What is the most difficult part about racing to you?
Trying to pick up my first national midget feature win
18. Tell me what you think about racing with STARS and what the competition is like?
I like that there is a series trying to keep pavement midget racing alive. Everyone at Grundy is very competitive everyone's times are close which makes for better racing
19. What has been the biggest factor in your success as a midget racer?
It’s working in the shop and learning how to adjust and maintain the car.
20. Who is the best racer you've competed against?
Darren Hagen
21. What are your parents’ names? Do you have any siblings?
Father: Tom Trainor. Mother: Chris Trainor. I am the only child
22. Do you have any interesting hobbies away from the track?
I love physical fitness/ weight lifting
23. What is the last book you’ve read?
“Tattersall: The Legend” by Ed Watson and Dennis Newlyn
24. What is the last movie you've seen?
“Bad Words”
25. What is your favorite food?
Steak or Grilled Chicken
26. What is your favorite midnight snack?
Cottage cheese with peanut butter
27. What is your favorite TV Show?
Sports Center
28. What are your favorite sports teams?
Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Bulls and Chicago Fire
29. Do you have any pets?
I have three cats: Dutchess, Burrito and Zoe. I have one dog: Bella.
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