Mike Stefanik

Michael Paul Stefanik (May 20, 1958 – September 15, 2019) was an American professional

In 2013, Stefanik competed in the inaugural UNOH Battle at the Beach at Daytona International Speedway. On the final lap, he was leading until contact with Steve Park sent him spinning; he finished 13th in the race.^[16] Afterwards, when Speed reporter Ray Dunlap arrived to interview him, Stefanik angrily stated he is "that freaking pissed. This is just bullshit."^[17] The interview was subsequently aired on The Jay Leno Show.^[18]

Stefanik won in only his third start, which came in 1991.^[19] He ran his first full season in 1993^[20] while racing Modifieds and won the 1997 and 1998 championships, pocketing over $100,000 for each season.^[21][22] In doing so, he became the first driver to win two NASCAR championships in consecutive years; Lee Petty is the only other person to have won two championships in one year.^{[citation needed]} Stefanik raced full seasons in 2003, 2004 and 2005 while stepping away from Modifieds, but did not have the same amount of success.^[23]

Stefanik moved up to the

Stefanik was elected to the New England Auto Racers Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. He was inducted Nov. 11, 2018 by writer Mark "Bones" Bourcier. In 2013, Michael accepted his late brother Bob's induction. Bob and Michael are the fifth pair of brothers enshrined in the NEAR Hall.[26]

Stefanik was first nominated to the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2015, and was elected to the Hall in 2022.^[27]

According to Connecticut State Police, on the afternoon of September 15, 2019, Stefanik took off in a friend's Aero-Works Aerolite 103 from Riconn Airport (Greene, Rhode Island), and was headed back when it experienced mechanical problems causing it to lose power and crash in a wooded area in Sterling, Connecticut. He was airlifted to Rhode Island Hospital, where he died from his injuries.^{[28][29][30][31]}

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led. ** – All laps led.)

² Competed only in companion events with

• Mike Stefanik driver statistics at Racing-Reference