Overheating Issue Derails King With Titan Legends Series

Michael King Jr. in action at Two Dollar Pistol Motor Speedway Saturday night. (Forrest Harrison photo)

PLUMERVILLE, Ark. – Bad luck during Saturday’s Titan Legends Late Model Series event at Two Dollar Pistol Motor Speedway left Michael King Jr. with disappointment instead of a victory.

King came from fifth to first in his heat race at the quarter-mile dirt oval, earning the pole position for the 20-lap main event that followed.

The 23-year-old led the first two circuits before settling in behind Chandler Petty in second place. He held that position through lap 12, when a sudden spike in engine temperature forced King to take his familiar No. 14jr late model to the infield to prevent any terminal damage.

A DNF left King with a 12th-place finish in the final rundown, a frustrating result on paper considering the 23-year-old believed he had a shot to win.

“I really wish our luck was as good as our car this season, because we’ve got a very strong APE-powered Rocket XR1 late model,” noted King. “The track was in much better shape this week, and it looked like we were in position for another good finish. Mechanical issues are always tough, but it’s better to protect our car for the long run because we know that we have speed every week.

“It’s unfortunate for this past weekend, but we will regroup and come back even faster next time.”

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.

King will take a weekend off before returning to the racetrack on Saturday, June 22. Details on the track he’ll race at will be shared at a later time.

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.

Visit King’s new website at https://michaelkingracing.com/ for more information.