Steven Miller locked up the Florida Winter Tour Junior ROK championship with a victory at the finale in Orlando (Photo: ROK Cup USA)

In a continued effort to highlight the many outstanding performances by drivers around the country, eKartingNews.com is proud to introduce the ‘Driver of the Month’ program. Each month, the staff at EKN will determine the one driver who stood out above the rest and give the viewers a chance to know exactly what they accomplished and who they are.

The winter season is completed with the first three months of 2022 in the books. It was a busy 13 weeks with racers enjoying the ‘warmer’ states in the USA, including Florida, California, and Arizona. For many, Florida was the winter home over the last three months, however, for Chad Dokken Racing’s Steven Miller the Sunshine State is home. Miller had a breakout performance at the opening event of the SKUSA Winter Series at the AMR Motorplex with a victory in both KA100 Junior and X30 Junior. He carried that momentum into the ROK Cup USA Florida Winter Tour, earning two top-five finishes in Junior ROK, including a podium at the Isle Casino in January.

Miller opened up the month of March with his first USPKS victory in KA100 Junior at Orlando (Photo: EKN)

The first event of March was the United States Pro Kart Series 2022 opener at the Orlando Kart Center. Miller continued the double duty performance, racing in both KA100 Junior and X30 Junior. Miller qualified seventh overall in KA and finished second in the Prefinal ODD to start from Row Two in the Final. He was in position for a top-five finish, maybe even a podium result before his chain broke with two laps remaining. A slight error in weight in qualifying put Miller at the tail of the 44-driver field in X30 for Saturday’s racing. He fought forward up to the 13th position in 12 laps with fast lap of the Prefinal and finished 11th in the Final. On Sunday in the class, Miller would go on to record a DNF in the X30 Final.

Miller started the Sunday action at the Southern Grand Prix in KA sitting third after qualifying. He was able to hold the second spot in the Prefinal ODD race, starting once again from the inside of Row Two for the Final. He joined Helio Meza and Caleb Gafrarar up front fighting for the victory. Gafrarar ran defensive line into the hairpin leading onto the long straight on the final circuit. Miller got a better run and was able to run past for the lead. He held off challenges in the final few corners to reach the checkered flag first for his first USPKS victory.

A week later it was back to the OKC facility for the final round of the Florida Winter Tour. Miller qualified fifth and then recorded finishes of sixth, third and fifth in the heat races under changing weather conditions. He started fourth in the Prefinal and gained two spots to end up second, posting the fast lap of the race. Miller jumped out to the lead to begin the 20-lap Final. He established a solid lead, but late in the race was run down by Ayden Ingratta. A couple of exchanges for the top spot took place in the final few laps, however, Miller remained the leader each time across the scoring loop, including the last lap. At the checkered, Miller held on by 49 thousandths to record his first Florida Winter Tour victory.

With the championship format rewarding more points at the series finale, Miller was able to jump up to the top spot in the standings to claim the title in Junior ROK, his first series title. Earning the title also gives him a ticket to the 2022 ROK Cup Superfinal to represent Team USA at the international event at the South Garda Karting facility in Lonato, Italy. He also ended up third in the VLR Junior championship chase to leave Orlando with double the hardware.

Miller is scheduled to follow the entire United States Pro Kart Series program, along with the Superkarts! USA Pro Tour. He is also set to compete at the IAME USA Grand National Championship, ROK Vegas event and the SKUSA SuperNationals 25 later this year in addition to local races at his home track of Andersen Race Park.

March 2022 EKN Driver of the Month – Steven Miller

(Photo: Studio52.us)

Bio

Born: August 27, 2009
Hometown: Tierra Verde, Florida
Parents: Steve Miller and Tiffany Miller, Ph.D.
Siblings: Steffany and Shelly
Height/Weight: 5’5” / 117lbs.
Education: 7th Grade
Job: Driver

Racing Resume

Chassis: 2022 OTK Kosmic
Engine/Engine Builder: Allison Racing Engines
Sponsors: Sunprint Racing
Series You Compete In: SKUSA Winter Series, SKUSA Pro Tour, ROK Cup USA Florida Winter Tour, ROK Cup Florida, United States Pro Kart Series
Years Karting: 4 Years
How did you get started in karting? I went to the Daytona 500 when I was 7 years old and I loved it so much that I started driving karts a year later. My home track is Andersen Race Park in Palmetto, FL.
What has been the high point in your racing career? I won the Florida Winter Tour Championship in Junior ROK and won the ticket to represent the USA at the 2022 ROK Cup Superfinal in Lonato, Italy.
What are your goals in racing? I want to be a professional driver for either F1, IndyCar, or NASCAR and win a world championship.
In a few words, how would you describe your driving style? Aggressive, Clean
Funniest moment at the race track? On the day of my double SKUSA Winter Series wins, during the KA100 Jr. race, I had to “really, really” go to the bathroom. After the race, I ran to the bathroom and I said, “please sir, I need to go to the bathroom badly” and the guy in front of me said to, “Buzz-off”. Me and Noah Rosser started to bust out laughing.

Likes

Favorite Track: GoPro Motorplex – Mooresville, North Carolina
Favorite form of professional motorsports: F1
Favorite karting driver: Jeremy Fletcher
Favorite professional driver: Max Verstappen
Favorite website: www.ekartingnews.com (and coming soon: www.StevenMmiller.com)
Favorite movie: Coming to America
Favorite actor/actress: The Rock
Favorite music/group: House Music
Favorite vacation/activity spot: The Race Track
Favorite food: Cheeseburger

The Real Deal

What do you do when not at the track? Practice on the simulator and work out. I have about 40 hours of flight training in a Diamond DA40 G1000 Aircraft with a certified flight instructor. I ride my jet ski, dirt bike, eFoil electric surfboard, and jet boat. I’m also into RC boats, cars, and drones. I also like swimming and fishing.
What are your goals outside of karting? To transition into driving cars at Lucas Oil School of Racing through Road to Indy.
What app or game do you play right now? Kart Racing Pro
What type of street car would you like to drive? GMC Sierra with a lift kit.
What are your pet peeves or things that irritate you? When you have to go pee mid-way through a race.
What do you think could be done to improve the sport of karting? I would get rid of pushback bumpers because many drivers will break-check you even after the race is over to give their competitors a penalty to lower your series points.
What are your favorite aspects about the sport of karting? I love the competition of racing against other skilled drivers.

March 2022 Driver of the Month – Honorable Mention:

* Danny Formal: Florida Winter Tour – 1 Win (ROK Shifter championship)

* Caleb Gafrarar: USPKS Southern Grand Prix – 1 Win (KA100 Junior) / Florida Winter Tour – 1 Win (VLR Junior)

* Gage Korn: Challenge of the Americas – 2 Wins (Mini ROK championship)

* Ryan Norberg: USPKS Southern Grand Prix – 2 Wins (X30 Pro)

* Hunter Pickett: Challenge of the Americas – 2 Wins (ROK Shifter championship)

* Danillo Ramalho: USPKS Southern Grand Prix – 2 Wins (X30 Masters) / Florida Winter Tour – 1 Win (Masters ROK)

* Derek Wang: Challenge of the Americas – 2 Wins (Masters ROK championship)

* Kevin Woods: Challenge of the Americas – 2 Wins (ROK Shifter Masters championship)

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