Mike Oliver

Michael Ray Oliver was born to Morris Ray and Margie Morrow Oliver in Guntersville, Alabama, on November 28, 1961. He and his younger sister grew up in the Pleasant Grove Community where neighborhood friends provided the sports excitement. His racing career started on a make-shift go-cart track in the cow pasture behind the house. Although Mike's sister, Marsha, usually won the races because she only weighed about 90 pounds, Mike still had the moves to leave everyone else in the dust. After beating and banging and flipping go carts, Mike was ready to hit the speedways.

Mike attended Pleasant Grove Elementary School until it closed at the end of his sixth grade year. He then attended Douglas High School from grades seven through twelve, graduating in 1980. While at DHS, Mike played basketball, football and ran track. Mike was No. 50 on the football team playing center and kicker. As the team's place-kicker, under the direction of Marshall County Hall of Fame Inductee Coach John Allen, Mike led the Eagles to their first ever victory over the Boaz Pirates when he kicked a field goal in overtime, for a 9-6 win. Mike started his racing career at Huntsville Speedway at the age of 14 under the strict guidance and encouragement of his dad, who was also a longtime driver and mechanic. Mike would "sneak" into the car and pose as his dad, but was better and faster than his dad, so he quickly became the full-time driver. Mike got his first win at the age of 16 at Huntsville Speedway. While playing sports at Douglas was fun and spirited, he had a hard time juggling practice and games and working on the race car during the week and racing on weekends. After graduating from Douglas High School in 1980, Mike quickly became a full-time race car driver while also working as owner of Oliver Tire in Guntersville. He married his high school sweetheart, Lisa Wade. While racing every Friday night at the Huntsville Speedway, Mike won several races in 1980, 1981 and 1982. Also in 1982, Mike was voted the most popular driver. He was also one of the most controversial drivers at the short track. Because he was winning so many of the races, the other drivers automatically thought he was cheating so the track officials had to inspect the engine, weight and tires of the race car almost every week.

Mike eventually moved to the Southern All Stars Touring Series that traveled to many asphalt short tracks in the Southeast. The list of tracks where Mike captured wins include Mobile, Montgomery, Pensacola, Nashville, Sayre, Senoia, Jackson, Birmingham and Huntsville. Mike not only was the Southern All Star National Champion in 1992, but also became the first two-time winner of the Southern All Star National Championship in 1993. He broke track qualifying records at Tri-County Speedway in Hudson, NC, Tri-County Speedway in Birmingham, Huntsville Speedway, Montgomery Speedway, Sayre Speedway and Nashville Speedway. He is also the winningest driver ever at the Huntsville Speedway. After his second National Championship in 1993 Southern All Stars, Mike was approached by Deep South Racing from Huntsville about driving a NASCAR Dash car. Mike drove the car for the first time at Tri-County Speedway in North Carolina to a victory and the following week at South Boston, Virginia, to his second victory. The team quickly decided to give the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series a chance. Starting out at Martinsville, Virginia, Hickory and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina proved to be a successful start for the No. 28 Prototype Pontiac. Oliver and the Deep South Racing Team decided to take the Pontiac into the Rookie of the Year competition for the Busch Grand National Series. While in a qualifying race at Daytona International Speedway, Oliver lost control and backed into the wall, destroying the race car. Escaping unhurt, Mike began thinking that he should quit while still in one piece. He eventually decided that he wanted to spend more time with his family, wife, Lisa, and son, Michael. According to Mike, "Racing takes a great deal of time away from home and family and I wanted to be home. It is almost impossible to STOP racing. It gets in your blood like a drug. While I was racing, Alan Kulwicki, a good friend Davey Allison and Clifford Allison lost their lives either in the race car or flying to a race track. Tony Walls barely recovered from burns he received during a race. My life and family were more important." Mike Oliver left a legacy of over 150 wins and at least 5 broken track records behind when he retired in 1994. Life now is all about church and family and Oliver Tire. His latest return to Huntsville Speedway was in 2008 as the official starter. Gentlemen, start your engines!