I'll never forget my first thought when I first saw Mike Head: "He looks more like a professional wrestler than a race car driver."

But the Ellenwood, Ga., driver was indeed 100 percent racer, one of the Southeast's best Dirt Late Model competitors for nearly two decades. | Slideshow

He was a mountain of a man. When I shook his hand, it felt like his wrapped around mine twice. He looked intimidating, but he was one of the kindest, gentlest people I've known.

Early in his racing career, which MORE

If you’re experiencing the winter doldrums, I promise you’re not alone. For the first time in five years, I didn’t go to any Georgia-Florida Speedweeks events. As short as our offseason is nowadays — and as welcome as the month-long recess can be following those mid-November races — I can’t help but look forward to Speedweeks with a bit of giddiness.

The chance to escape the wacky Tennessee weather for a week or so while getting the racing season started is always a welcome respite MORE

BARBERVILLE, Fla. — Recapping the 50th annual DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park with a list of superlatives from the three World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series programs and two DIRTcar-sanctioned events contested at the half-mile oval near Daytona Beach (complete Speedweeks coverage):

Best driver: Devin Moran of Dresden, Ohio, who enjoyed arguably the best week of his racing career. The 26-year-old driver of fellow Ohioan Tye Twarog’s No. 9 not only won for the first time at MORE

If I had a dollar for every time a race car driver mentioned that racing was a humbling sport ... well, I’d have a lot of dollars.

Nearly each and every driver, from the top level down to the local ranks, would probably agree that Dirt Late Model racing can be among the most gratifying, yet frustrating of endeavors.

I’ve heard Brian Shirley say it. And Jonathan Davenport. And Chris Madden, too. If you’re a driver and don’t think this sport can humble you, then you haven’t been at it long MORE