Modified Star Mike Leaty Making Debut in 350 SMAC Supermodified at Spencer

This weekend marks an exciting new chapter in the storied career of Williamson, NY’s Mike Leaty, one of the most successful drivers in Spencer Speedway history.

Leaty, known for his remarkable accomplishments in the Modified division, is set to make his debut in a 350 SMAC Supermodified on Friday night, driving the Muldoon Motorsports No. 50.

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Leaty's resume at Spencer Speedway is nothing short of impressive. With around 50 feature wins and five track championships to his name, Leaty has cemented his legacy as a dominant force in Modified racing.

The transition to the Supermodified division is a significant shift for Leaty. Despite his extensive experience in Modifieds, Supermodified racing presents a new set of challenges and over the winter, a key connection was made between Leaty and the Muldoon team by James ‘Hollywood’ Rusaw to put things into motion.

Initially, Leaty had planned to race at Lancaster on Saturday while his daughter, Alyssa, was set to compete in the car at Spencer. However, a schedule change that moved the Chemung Race of Champions event to the same date as the Lancaster SMAC race altered those plans, setting the stage for Leaty’s Supermodified debut to take place at Spencer Speedway.

For Leaty, racing a Supermodified has been a lifelong ambition. "It's really exciting, something I've always wanted to do," he said. Growing up, Leaty spent countless hours at Oswego Speedway, watching the Supermodified races while his Dad, Jan, competed in a Modified.

Although the Supermodifieds at Oswego typically don't have wings, the allure of the Supermodified class has always been strong for Leaty and his transition to the Supermodified division is bolstered by the quality of his equipment and team.

The championship winning equipment, combined with the Muldoon team's extensive knowledge and experience, should certainly make Leaty competitive in his new endeavor.

"Mike (Muldoon’s) equipment really seems to be top-notch and I will be competing in the car that won the series championship last year, so it’s a great opportunity and I hope we can go have a good strong run in the top five," Leaty said.

Leaty’s attempt at Supermodified racing also comes at a time when Spencer Speedway is looking to inject new excitement into its events. After two or three years of limited special events, the introduction of a star driver like Leaty to the SMAC 350 Supermodified roster is expected to reignite interest among fans.

“I think fans will like it,” Leaty mentioned. “Spencer just needed to do something a little different and new to get everyone’s interest again and this should do it. Having the SMAC series there is a great move.”

Mike Leaty is actually not the first in his family to race a Supermodified at Spencer. Jan Leaty competed in a winged Supermodified at Spencer in the early 1990’s, although the car’s motor blew during practice in the event. The Leaty family's history in racing at Spencer Speedway will absolutely add a layer of sentimental value to this weekend's debut.

Detailed schedules for both the Spencer and Lancaster events, as well as race tickets, are available online and through SMAC social media. For detailed event information, visit 350smac.com, lancastermotorplexny.com, or rocmodifiedseries.com.

-350 SMAC Press Release
-Photo credit: MoJo Photos, Race of Champions