2/8/2023
Owosso Speedway
Driver Profile: Scott Clifford
Scott Clifford
02/02/23
Destiney Biston
Moving on with #86, Modified driver from New Lothrop, Scott Clifford! He is a local racer from New Lothrop, Michigan who has been involved in motorsports since 1986. Throughout those 37 years, he has raced Pro Stocks for two years and Super Late Models for seven, spending the rest of the time in a modified, with a few years in a dirt Late Model. Over the course of his racing career, his accomplishments include Rookie of the Year in 1986, Owosso Speedway Pro Stock champion in 1987, Modified championships in 1998 and 1999, and Owosso Speedway Nationals wins in 1998 and 1999. He estimates that he has won at least 60 features to date.
Scott grew up at Birch Run Speedway and Auto City Speedway, watching his cousins race dirt. His dad, Mickey, was also a drag racer, so racing has been a big part of Scott's life. He had the opportunity to race on the half-mile at Auto City the weekend before it was paved, and after a few hot laps, he bought his cousin's race car and started his own racing career. Since then, he has fallen in love with the speed and excitement of racing, as well as the work that goes into the cars.
Even though Scott is a talented driver, he has his off nights like everyone else. On those nights, he takes time to regroup, figure out the problem, and fix it to do better next time. Scott has been to many different race tracks over the years, and two of his favorites are Owosso Speedway and Eldora Speedway. He likes Eldora because it is the fastest dirt track he has ever been to, and he likes Owosso Speedway because of the 2- and 3-wide racing that can occur due to the banking of the track.
This year will look a bit different for Scott, with the help of his sponsors: Wheeler Trucking, Burkett Nester Race Cars, and Matusik Floor Coverings, he will focus on Owosso Speedway as much as possible. He will have the support of his race crew, including his dad, Mickey, his wife Shelly, his sister Jenn, his son and crew chief Mickey, Mickey's girlfriend Erica, his daughter Cyleigh, Cyleigh's fiancé Collin, his son Tyler, Tyler's fiancé Kate, his nephew Logan, and his granddaughters Everleigh and Teagan. He will be racing in a brand new-looking Modified for the 2023 season, sporting a blue and pink #86 race car. Until then, Scott will be working on his Camaro and race car, testing the limits with his side-by-side, and patiently waiting for opening night.
Submitted By: Destiney Biston
Article Media
