Paige Polyak: Evolution in racing
Paige Polyak knows something about Sprint Car racing. Paige has been behind the wheel since 2001, and started driving with Mike Woodring Racing in 2014. A year later, they partnered with Hydraulic Cylinders Inc. on a sponsorship that has been a win for the team, sponsor, and fans alike.
Mike’s racing began in 1976, racing Snowmobiles in New York. His career migrated to ATV’s and he found himself on Team Yamaha where he earned Yamaha’s first national points title. In 1990 however, Mike moved into the world Sprint Cars. Mike not only raced, racked up win after win, and claimed several titles, he’s worked as a crew chief, and helped other drivers develop along the way. Paige Polyak is one of those drivers.
Paige Polyak, from Tiffin OH, has only been with Mike Woodring Racing since 2014, but that doesn’t mean she lacks experience behind the wheel. Having started in Go-Karts in 2001 at the age of seven, Paige had 35 wins and three track championships before switching to sprint cars in 2004. After fire destroyed her car and equipment in 2013, Mike and Paige saw an opportunity to work together to continue racing, and Paige moved into the larger 410 Sprint Cars. “410” in Sprint Cars, refers to the size of the engine, (V8 engine, 410 cubic inches). These lightweight cars can put out more horsepower than a Formula One race car.
“We like to hit the hardest races at the highest levels”, says Mike, “Paige is getting more experience faster, she’s a contender on the track!” It’s true, Paige’s success is in her results and she’s been making steady progress against the best in the world. “We’ve gone from hoping to make the field to competing in the top ten”, says Mike. It’s no wonder Paige has a large fan following with autograph lines extending until the end of the night.
Financial support is the biggest challenge for these teams. A 50 race schedule from May thru September, and the World of Outlaws in November, racing is easily a full time job, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. It’s been a great opportunity for Hydraulic Cylinders Inc. to partner with Mike Woodring racing and driver Paige Polyak. Mike sums up the Hydraulic Cylinders Inc. philosophy best, “It’s been a huge help from great people, they understand what it takes to evolve, we couldn’t do it without them.”
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