Maintaining a balance between his personal life and racing, the seasoned veteran of Legend Car racing, Mike Alcaro is still showing the younger generation what it takes to be a Legend Car driver.

 

Hometown: Newton, New Jersey

Division: Pro

Number: 8

Team: 860 Motorsports

1. How did you get into racing?

A family friend of my father. His son was racing in a different division and they had an extra car and my father extended the opportunity to me and I ran that car for a couple of races and then we got into the Legend Cars.

2. What has changed over time for you as a Legend Car driver since 2007?

Everything changes. The motor changes, the tires change. The biggest difference for me was trying to do it on my own. Originally, I was with Clay Haire then I hooked up with CJ with 860 Motorsports around 2006-2010. When I made that leap from Clay Haire to CJ it really evaluated my program and made racing a lot easier to get wins.

3. What is your favorite racing memory?

2021 [Asphalt Nationals at Dominion Raceway] when I was finally able to get the win at the Pro Nationals.

4. Do you have any hobbies outside or racing?

Not really. I use racing as my hobby to escape. The Legend Car community is kinda like a family to me. CJ and all the guys at 860 Motorsports, they’ve become family to me over the years and I consider them brothers. When we have free time, we vacation together or do whatever.

5. How has being a part of 860 Motorsports impacted you as a racer?

It’s great! I race normally in New Jersey but it's also nice to know someone like CJ when I head down south and race in the Carolinas, Las Vegas, or Virginia or wherever we’ll be going. I know he’ll have a good car for me so it makes me as a driver put my best foot forward because I know I have a car capable of winning. It helps me step my game up as a racer.

6. Any advice that you can provide to people who want to become a Legend Car driver?

The more you can get yourself into a racecar the better you are going to do. The more tracks you race at, the better off you are going to be. Anyone can be a Saturday night warrior or a one-track wonder but with more experience you have, the better you are going to be especially in a Legend Car.

7. Why did you choose the number 8?

Like everyone else from that era, I was a Dale Earnhardt fan. Originally, I had bought a used car and it had the number 8 on it and then for whatever reason I stuck with it. When I first started out, the first two years I didn't have a new car or a new body to where I could paint the car how I wanted or wrap it however I wanted.

8. How do you stay motivated and improve as a driver in such a competitive environment?

It’s tough. I’m 38 years old still in the Pro Division and a lot of the guys like London McKenzie, Landen Lewis, etc., are 13 through 18 years old. Those young guys make me want to be a better driver still instead of settling into a rhythm like, “Okay I’m the old guy I don’t really have to be competitive anymore.” But those younger guys make me want to be competitive still and force myself to push the edge. It still gives me the drive to go out there and still win championships. It can be frustrating because these young guys don’t have fear.

9. What do you focus on during the early laps of a race?

If it's a national event I try to set myself up so if there is a restart or something I'm in position to be on the inside or the preferred lane. If you have a good car, you are gonna wanna go fast forward as you can and not settle into a rhythm.

10. Who is your biggest inspiration?

Myself to a degree but in a way, CJ is my inspiration to go out there and win races, get trophies and help build his business and his brand. I know how much time and effort that he puts into building cars and setting them up.

11. What is your favorite season?

I would say probably Fall because the craziness of the summer winds down a bit and the fall cools down and you get your big races more at the end of the year. It gives you something to look forward to. Plus, I don’t like being very hot.

12. How do you balance racing and your own personal life outside of it?

Five years ago, it was a lot easier before I bought a house and did all that stuff. I got more involved with my job as well. It’s trying to find that happy medium where you get your work done and stuff around the house done as well and you have to have time to go racing and enjoy yourself. I would love to race 50 to 60 times a year like I used to.