Jeffrey “Micheal” Needham - born in Dallas, Texas December 3, 1992.
School:
Micheal attends Kennedy Middle School in Grand Prairie. He is in all Pre-Advanced Placement classes. In order for Micheal to race his go-kart, he has to make ALL A’s and B’s. He has done very well in succeeding in his grades. With Pre-AP classes, you get an additional 10 points added on to your final GPA, this would make his grades all A’s. Micheal is in the 8th grade, and has been on the honor roll/deans honor roll every year that he has attended school. Micheal is also a member of the National Junior Honor Society, and was chosen to take the DUKE Tips SAT when he was in the 7th grade. To be chosen you have to score a 98 or above on TAKS test.
Earnings:
Micheal has to pay for about 95% of his racing. Whether he attends go-karts or racing, he pays his own way into the pits. In order to make money, he has mowed lawns, and helps out at his Uncle Bryan’s and Papa’s Shop. In the years, he has been able to learn how to operate many machines that most 8th graders could not even tell you what they were. His Uncle is an engineer so he uses the racing as a “teaching” tool. Nothing comes easy, you have to explain how and why things work the way they do.
Racing:
Micheal has raced three years prior to this one. His first year, he never won a feature, but always got out “grinning“. He flipped his cart two different times, but wanted to finish the night. He did place in the “Top Ten” in 10th that season. The second year, he had the opportunity to build a kart that was more his size. Again, this was a learning expenditure. So he had to put many hours into building his kart. He won for the first time that year. He finished in the “Top Ten” again, placing 4th. Last year, he had a better season. He won many races and placed 1st in the “Top Ten“ standings. He has made quite a few close friends just being out at the track. He has put a lot of effort into helping out some of the younger racers. Micheal is normally the first to tell the other racers “Good Job” or pointing out the positives rather than the negatives. Micheal’s go-kart will be completed by the first weekend in May 2007, he will be racing in the “Modified Class” at Cowtown Speedway located in Kennedale, Texas.
Life Goals:
Like most 8th graders, Micheal would like to be a World of Outlaw Dirt Track Late Model driver. He would like to drive for “Team Bloomquist”. He knows school comes first, that includes a college degree. He would like to attend Texas A & M at College Station. His degree plan for now is to be an engineer, but has not decided on the chosen specialty.