Denny Hamlin's Team Engineer

[DriveitinDeep]

I want to point out that the team engineer who helped them get to victory lane is our own Mike Wheeler. Why to go Wheels!

[hollywoodmic]

I was thinking about that yesterday. Great for Mike to stay with it, who wouldn't have left that team??????,the way Jason Leffler was driving that thing. It just shows what chemistry will do. They were saying yesterday that the entire team has really jelled since Denny Hamlin jumped in the ride. So again, big conrats to Mike, I'm sure his family is real proud as well. Great things happen to great families, congrats.

[DriveitinDeep]

You couldn't have said that any better Steve!

[LongIslandJam]

Congrats Mike!

And I still remember when you were just turning wrenches on some guy's Late Model (LOL)... Good to see one of our own in Victory Lane!

[Jeff T]

Way to go Mike! Great to see all that hard work paid off. Let's hope for a repeat this coming Sunday!

[W. J.]

Congrats, Mike, on joining the ever growing list of L.I. racing people to do well in NASCAR land. You, like the rest, make us happy and proud. :) :) :)

[DAN D.]

is that the same Wheeler that drove the black #42 in Thompsons World Series last year (2004)

[bulldozer]

Thats billy wheeler?

[DAN D.]

Any relation to Mike Wheeler?

[LongIslandJam]

Different Wheeler I believe. Mike's father I believe still lends a hand to the #39 Late Model (correct me if I'm wrong)...

[Tracy87BB]

You are correct about Mike's father, J.A. Last I knew, his father still owned Wheeler's Garage out in Southold. I used to deliver auto parts out there years ago, when Mike was still just a kid. I've seen his father around Riverhead the few times that I've been out there. I don't know if there's some other type of relation, though.

Anyway, congrats to Mike and the whole team...that's one way to earn some respect. Good luck for a similar showing on Sunday!

[DriveitinDeep]

Mike Wheeler is no relation to Billy Wheeler.
Mike's father Dick, is one of the chassis guru's on the 39 late model.

[gzenduro12]

I went to high school with Mike Wheeler. Even back then he knew he wanted to be involved with Nascar racing. Dick Wheeler is his father and he still operates Wheeler's Garage in Southold and works on the #39 LM.
My father drove the #36 LM that was owned by Dick Wheeler in the late 80's. It was great to see a small town familiar face in the winners circle of Daytona.
Now I just need to get in touch with Mike to see if he'll set up my grand car!

[LongIslandJam]

Hey gz,

Maybe, if you're lucky, Mike can hook you up with some air tunnel time for your Grand Enduro... LOL... Never know, might just help... LOL

[DAN D.]

Thanks for clearing that up for me. Billy Wheeler seems to have guts. Whenever I saw him race, either at Riverhead or Thompson... actually he did not have any "luck" though, came off the track on a hook the few times I did watch him.
Yes, it is great to hear on national TV another Nascar big boy from/ LAWN GUYLAND..lol

[bulldozer]

you are correct