Andrews to drive JS Motorsports #36 for NWMT
by Richie Grodski

It all started at Speedweeks 2005 at New Smyrna Speedway. Mike Andrews Jr.'s father had recently moved to Florida, so Mike made the trip to visit his father and take in the racing at New Smyrna. Mike's plan was to help a team out and possibly hope a driving duty would emerge. He decided to help out in the #36 team stable and the rest just fell in place.

Mike Andrews Jr.'s father had been friends for years with the JS Motorsports #36 team owner Ed Whelen. Andrews grew up respecting and watching Ewanitsko run modifieds at Riverhead Raceway and on the WMT tour. His aspirations were to become a racer like Ewanitsko. Andrews started racing go-karts at an early age and with a lot of help and encouragement from his father, Andrews eventually moved up into the modified ranks. Andrews states that without his father’s help, he would not be where he is today and thanks his father for all the commitment he put into their racing efforts. Mike's father saw he had great potential so he fielded the modified team just to help Mike get his dream fulfilled.

It was a chilly night in Florida at New Smyrna Speedway and Andrews was in the pits with the #36 race team. Mike Ewanitsko was driving the JS Motorsports #36 in the first night of eight nights of racing for the Northeast Type Modifieds. The feature began and during the feature there was a spin and Ewanitsko went low to avoid the melee and spun with the whole field coming. Unfortunately Mike was hit by the oncoming field of modifieds and ended up breaking his foot in many spots from the accident. Despite the foot and a totally destroyed car, Mike was thankfully ok, but his New Smyrna Speedweeks was over.  Being it was only the first night of the series, Ed turned to Mike Andrews, Jr. and asked if he brought his gear. Andrews said yes and Ed asked if he would drive for the rest of the series.

For the rest of the series, things went quite well for the team, in fact so well that the JS Motorsports #36 even took home a win, and a second place finish. When the series had finished, Andrews and the #36 JS Motorsports Team took home a respectable 15th final point spot. Going by Andrews' finishes, if he had not missed the first race and also got the bonus points, he would have finished in the top 5 easily at the series end. Things went so well in fact, that Ed asked Andrews if he would like to drive for JS Motorsports this year. Of course Andrews said yes!!!

Mike expectations for this year are ambitious yet basic.  Mike will be aiming for a top 10 finish in points, but a win, a pole and Rookie of the Year on the Whelen Modified tour are all goals on his agenda. He said he felt very comfortable at New Smyrna as well at last week’s Thompson practice with JS Motorsports. He also wanted to thank his father for everything he has done for him including all his support which has helped him to get where he is today. Andrews also wants to thank Ed Whelen for giving him this opportunity to drive on the Whelen Modified Tour.

Ed Whelen has been around the sport for many years only dropping out for a short time before returning last year. The 2006 JS Motorsports # 36Team consists of Crew Chief Ricco Mariani, and crew members: Glen Dixon, James Wahl, Keith Breault, Paul Amore, Paul Mayf, Dean Chasse and Rob Tribuzio. Ed has 4 new Troyers at hand and also Andrews' Riverhead car. The team will pursue the full WMT Schedule and throw in a few select Race of Champions Tour and True Value Modified Racing Series events as well as Riverhead Raceway time trial shows as scheduling permits. If Mike Ewanitsko becomes available to drive again this year, the team will field a second modified, but for 2006 Andrews is slated as the full time driver.

For 2006, sponsors are behind the team are Al-Lee Installations, Northeast Racecars and Parts and Big Sal's Race Engines. Anyone wishing to support the team or add sponsorship please contact Ed Whelen at (516) 777-3333. JS Motorsports will be a team to watch this year as it seems all the pieces are falling in place for a winning combination in 2006.