Hermanator
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"The Hermanator"

"When I strap into a race car, I try to take the mentality of a gladiator. I'll race you the way you race me. If you hit me, I'm going to hit you back."

One word will tell you everything you need to know about Mike Herman Jr. -- heart. He has had more setbacks than any one person deserves. When the family asphalt company that provided his main support nearly went belly up and was forced to pull funding, his father cashed in his retirement fund to keep Herman’s dream afloat. When a new full-time USAR ProCup Series sponsor came on board, it seemed too good to be true -- and it was. They changed their minds and notified him via fax. No one would blame Herman for questioning his career in racing, but he never does. He loves racing more than anything in the world and will do whatever it takes to stay in the game, even if that means working at a pawnshop in his hometown of Kannapolis, N.C. His life’s wish is to make it to NASCAR and make his parents proud.

Hometown: Kannapolis, NC

Birthdate: 8/14/1974

Marital Status : Single

Kids: None

Did you know?

Mike is a two-time NASCAR track Champion at Concord (NC) Motorsports Park.

He holds the USAR ProCup Series qualifying track record for the Chemung (NY) Speedrome, set in 2001.

Mike was awarded the "Smart Move of the Year" award for the USAR ProCup Series in 2000.

That's Mike in the lower left corner and his dad behind him on the far left. As you can see, the winning attitude was instilled in him at a young age by another famous guy from Kannapolis, NC - "The Intimidator" Dale Earnhardt, Sr.

Mike Herman Jr. Fun Facts:

Favorite music, group: I like a variety of music, from country to rap and everything in between.

Favorite TV channels: SPEED, ESPN

Favorite TV show: Las Vegas on NBC and The Sopranos

Favorite food: Burger, fries and a milk shake

Favorite movies: National Lampoon’s Vacation movies

Favorite cities on the race schedule: Myrtle Beach and Orlando (Lakeland)

Favorite restaurant on the race schedule: Hooters

What I admire most in others: Courage

First job: Roller man for Herman Grading and Paving

First street car: ’86 Plain Jane S-10

What made you fall in love with racing: 1979 -- my Dad and Mom took me to Bristol to watch Earnhardt; 1983 -- my first victory in karting; and 1985 -- when I tasted a NASCAR victory lane for the first time with my dad and Earnhardt at Rockingham

Nickname: The Hermanator

How did you get into racing: Through my dad’s involvement in racing

Siblings: One sister, Alisa

Favorite car: My racecar

Favorite things to do when not working: Hit the town with my friends

Favorite charity: Special Olympics

Favorite song: “Jet Airliner” by The Steve Miller Band

Racecar driver you’d love to meet: Steve "The King" Kinser

What I would like to do after I retire: Open a pawn and jewelry store

Pets: One cat, Sable

Childhood dream: To make a living driving stock cars

Favorite superhero: My dad

Favorite non-racing sport: College basketball (Go Heels!)

Speeding tickets in the last year: Zero

Last concert attended: Montgomery Gentry

Favorite quote: John 3:16