Heat Win Highlights King’s Latest Plumerville Stop
PLUMERVILLE, Ark. – A heat-race win was the lone bright spot for Michael King Jr. Saturday night as he returned to the seat of his steel-block dirt late model at Two Dollar Pistol Motor Speedway.
King, the 23-year-old from Paducah, Ky., now living in El Dorado, Ark., started off the night at the quarter-mile clay oval in dominant fashion, despite an outside front-row pill draw that hampered his ability to gain passing points.
He topped the heat race going away, winning by two-and-a-half seconds, but lined up on the outside of row two for the 20-lap feature with how the final passing points broke down.
King moved up to third on the opening lap, and found himself racing for the lead on lap four when he and Chandler Petty tangled, causing damage to both race cars in the process.
Though King fought on for several more laps, he ultimately retired from the race one lap prior to halfway due to broken suspension pieces aboard his familiar, orange-and-white No. 14jr entry.
It marked a frustrating third straight DNF for King, though the young dirt racer continues to show speed week-in and week-out with his family-owned operation.
“I’m really disappointed because this race marked another week of having the fastest car at the racetrack, and leaving with nothing to show for it,” said King. “It’s frustrating to get raced the way we did Saturday night, but that’s part of this sport sometimes, as much as you wish it wouldn’t be as a driver.
“Our team will go to work, use these coming off weeks to get the car fixed, and come back even faster.”
King would like to thank APE Engines, PPG Paint, Thurmon’s Heat & Air, M&A Wrecker Service, Advanced Specialized Services LLC, J&J Motorsports, ML Performance, Next Level Designs, SUPE, Team 5 Enterprise, Team Forty-Eight Motorsports, Thrifty Liquor, Race Face Brand Development, and the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation for their partnership and support.
Due to the necessary repairs to his race car, King’s next scheduled race is still being determined. Details on where and when he’ll compete next will be shared as soon as possible.
About Michael King Jr.
Michael King Jr. is a 23-year-old dirt late model and dirt modified racer from Paducah, Ky., who now calls El Dorado, Ark., home. He’s in the midst of his sixth season of racing with his family-owned and operated team, spearheaded by his parents – Michael Sr. and Leslie.
King started in the front-wheel drive class in 2018, collecting 14 wins in his rookie season, including highlight victories during the Louisiana State Championship Race at Boothill Speedway and the Spooky 50 weekend at Super Bee Speedway.
He advanced into Limited Modifieds in 2019, and has racked up eight victories in the class, as well as the 2020 Super Bee Speedway track championship.
His late model tenure took off in 2022, and he debuted with the Titan Legends Late Model Series the next year, where he contended for rookie-of-the-year honors and narrowly missed out to Preston Farmer. King has also made two appearances at the prestigious Gateway Dirt Nationals in St. Louis, Mo.
King’s family is no stranger to racing, either, as his mother Leslie is a longtime shock builder under the ShocKing Shocks banner.
He counts dirt late model legend Don O’Neal and seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson among his racing inspirations, and away from the racetrack, King is a supporter of the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation’s efforts in the fight against pediatric cancer.
