Driver Spotlight #4

March 2025 Driver SPOTLIGHT

This month's Driver Spotlight shines on Michael Underwood, a mechanical engineer and project manager from Louisville, Ohio. Michael's journey into racing began at 16 behind the wheel of his father's 1972 Buick Skylark. His passion for the sport runs deep, as it was passed down through his family—his father, uncles, and grandfather have all been involved in racing since the 1980s. Today, Michael calls Quaker City Motorsports Park and Dragway of Magnolia his home tracks, as they are the closest to him.

Currently, Michael competes in the Pro/No Box class with his LS-powered 1984 Buick Regal Limited. Looking to the future, he dreams of racing in Super Stock or Super Street. Since 2019, Michael has racked up an impressive 42 deep-round appearances and 21 race wins. He put on a clinic at the 2023 Lil' Bucks Hootenanny, claiming victories on Friday and Sunday while reaching the semifinals on Saturday. Along the way, he's had his fair share of memorable, not-so-spectacular moments, like when the WFCs' 10-year-old announcer called his .088 reaction time "smashing," all while giggling.

Michael credits much of his success to his father, who he looks up to greatly. He also extends his thanks to key supporters, including Wired Designs, Abruzzi Converters, Horsepower Innovations LLC, BU Transmissions, and many others whose parts have been crucial to his success on the track. When asked whether he hates losing or loves winning, Michael admitted that he absolutely hates losing, but he firmly believes in his ability to beat the best and win races. As Marshawn Lynch once said, “I know I'm gon' get got, but I'm gon' get mine more than I get got.”

Outside of racing, Michael enjoys watching sports, playing video games, spending quality time with family, and camping. He and his wife are also hoping to get a dog in the future so their son, William, can have the experience of a companion and best friend while growing up.

Michael chose Wired for its high-quality, personalized, and cost-effective products that align with his needs. We're grateful for his continued support!

Stay tuned for next month’s Driver Spotlight, and be sure to check out our newly updated website, featuring new products and services!

April 2, 2025

Driver Spotlight #3

February 2025 Driver SPOTLIGHT

Our February driver spotlight features Travis Buth from Trafalgar, Indiana. Travis began racing in 2000 when he was 8 years old driving a junior dragster, he was instantly hooked on the sport. His father and uncle have been racing since the 70’s and he was able to grow up hearing their stories from the racetrack, as well as watching his brother and sister race junior dragsters. He grew up racing at Coles County Dragway but now calls Indy home.

Currently, Travis races both Pro and Sportsman at local bracket races, but in his last 3-4 seasons he’s been racing Stock Eliminator. His bracket ride is a 1986 Mustang with a 302 and C4, it runs 7.90s in the ⅛. In Stock Eliminator he pilots a 1988 Mustang LX with a 302 and C4. Travis found success starting in juniors winning ET finals and a Division 3 Championship. In 2019, he won the ET Finals and was a D3 Champion in Sportsman. In 2022, he qualified as a D3 representative in Stock for the Jegs All Stars. And in 2024, he won the D3 Championship for Stock Eliminator and finished 5th in the national points chase.

Travis looks up to his brother as a role model, as well as his dad, sister, and uncle Marty. He credits his brother for the biggest impact on his success as he dials Travis’ car, calms him down, and helps him create a game plan. He says he is greatly motivated by the addictive competition racing brings. I’d say it has worked tremendously. The Buth brothers are not only the nicest people you can find at a racetrack, but some of the HARDEST working competitors. Everyone in stock knows you DO NOT want to match up with them. There may not be a better duo behind the wheel of a slowww door car in Stock Elim than the Ellis Brothers.

Buth finds support from his wife, Redline Synthetic Racing Oils, Optima Batteries, Hall Brothers Racing, Steve Sullivan, and FID Performance and Fabrication. We thank Travis for being a supporter of Wired Designs!

Check back next month for our next Driver Spotlight! Also, feel free to look around on our website, as it is newly formatted and features new products and services!

February 14, 2025

Driver Spotlight #2

December 2024 Driver SPOTLIGHT

We’re a touch behind! But this month you get to read about everyone’s favorite winner circle menace!

So for December (in January), we feature Brandon Layfield, or as some of you may know him, “Little Dickie,” hailing out of Pittsville, Md. Brandon began racing at age 8 in juniors but has been at the racetrack since he was in diapers. He credits his dad and grandfather for getting him into the sport and making him hate money.

Layfield calls US13 Dragway home, typically racing in Top ET, but he tends to dabble in footbrake when his wallet feels too heavy. Currently, he pilots a 1989 S10 with a 400 SBC on alcohol with nitrous and a Jay Bradford Powerglide transmission. But if he could have any car, he would own his dad’s 1970 Nova. He was able to bring home a win at the Hillbilly Shootout at US13, driving back up the track and his dad jumping the fence at the 1/8th mile, noting that seeing his father there made the accomplishment even more worth it.

Lil’ Dickie says his role model is Brandon Michelle’s (Michaels), and he also credits his dad Buddy Layfield, Travis Leake, Paul Riddle, Travis LaRoque, Mike Jefferson, Brian Riebert, Wired Designs, Riddles Farms, Essential Lines, and Brooks Moore. He is motivated by his family and friends, especially after his accident as they were always in his corner and didn’t let him stop.

Anyone who knows Layfield knows that life is never a dull moment, outside of racing he is a Utilities Tech that “makes sure you have water and your sh*t goes away,” He enjoys drinking beer and having good times with his buddies and family. If you’re EVER at the same track as Brandon.. odds are you are not having as much fun as him. We appreciate Brandon for being a supporter of Wired and can’t thank him enough for what he’s done for us!

Check back next month for our next Driver Spotlight! Also, feel free to look around on our website, as it is newly formatted and features new products and services!

January 14, 2025

Driver Spotlight #1

Welcome to the first Wired Driver Spotlight!

In this series of upcoming posts, we’ll interview Wired Designs customers to explore how they got involved in racing and learn more about their journeys.

Our first Wired Driver Spotlight features Jordan Wilhelm from Woodburn, Indiana. Jordan began racing in 2013 with his 2003 Grand Am, quickly becoming hooked. He started racing full-time in 2016, having grown up alongside his father, uncle, and friends at the racetrack. This no-box racer calls Muncie Dragway his home, where he appreciates the fellowship and family atmosphere that keeps him returning.

Currently, Jordan pilots his dream race car, a 1972 Camaro, powered by a 430 SBC. He has found the winner’s circle at the World Footbrake Challenge and the Southern Footbrake Challenge. If that was not enough of a flex, he noted he made 50 laps in one weekend at the SFC, he humorously added that he will never be that good again. But! We all need that one embarrassing story that supports our learning; when he missed the brake pedal after doing a burnout at the WFC. He must have gotten better at that since he noted he is good at burnouts when asked if he drives the top end or bottom end better.

Racing is not always about trophies and big checks; it can be challenging and often humbling. Jordan firmly believes that you can create your own luck, and that the best drivers aren’t always the ones who get paid at the end of the day. When asked about his motivation, he replied, “I hate losing; losing sucks.” To cope with a loss, he reflects on what he could improve and then heads to the cooler. And when the win light comes on, he gives the dash a nostalgic pat for old times' sake.

Support is vital in racing, even after forgetting which pedal makes the car stop in the burnout. Jordan credits his fiancée, Mariah, and his friends for significantly impacting his success, along with his sponsors: Wired Designs, Precision Balancing Co., Lucas Walker, and May Race Carbs.

Check back next month for our next Driver Spotlight! Also, feel free to look around on our website, as it is newly formatted and features new products and services!