Mike Basham Bio
Mike Basham is an American professional stock car racing driver who competes part-time in the ARCA Menards Series. Born on June 20, 1968, in Henryville, Indiana, Basham follows in the footsteps of his father, Darrell Basham, a long-time competitor in the ARCA Menards Series. Throughout his career, Mike Basham has driven for multiple teams, including Fast Track Racing and Shearer Speed Racing, fielding entries numbered 01, 9, 11, 12, and 98 with both Ford and Toyota manufacturers.
Early Life and Background
Basham was born in Henryville, Indiana, and grew up around motorsports through his family’s involvement in racing. His father, Darrell Basham, established himself as a staple in the ARCA Menards Series, providing Mike with early exposure to the sport and its intricacies. This family background laid the foundation for Mike’s eventual entry into professional stock car racing.
Basham is the older brother of Jason Basham, who competed in ARCA from 2003 to 2013. The racing lineage within the Basham family created a natural progression for Mike to pursue motorsports as a career, with the knowledge and experience of his father serving as valuable resources during his development years.
Path to NASCAR
Mike Basham’s path to NASCAR-sanctioned competition began through the ARCA Menards Series, which serves as a developmental series for aspiring drivers. Unlike many drivers who progress through regional late model competition before reaching ARCA, Basham made his ARCA debut relatively later in life, first competing in 2001 at age 33. His entry into the series came through his family-owned operation, Darrell Basham Racing.
After a hiatus from competition spanning twelve years, Basham returned to ARCA in 2015 and began establishing himself as a regular part-time competitor. His journey through the ARCA ranks has been characterized by driving for multiple teams and adapting to different equipment, showcasing his versatility as a driver while pursuing success in the series.
Mike Basham Career
Early Career (2001-2003)
Mike Basham made his ARCA Re/Max Series debut in 2001 at Gateway Motorsports Park, driving the No. 34 Chevrolet for his father’s family-owned team. His first race ended with a 28th-place finish due to overheating issues. That season, Basham competed in four additional races, achieving his best finish of 22nd at DuQuoin State Fairgrounds, a dirt track that would become one of his more competitive venues throughout his career.
Over the next two years, Basham ran three more races, splitting time between his family-owned team and Brad Smith’s operation. These early races provided Basham with valuable experience across different track types and team environments, though top results remained limited. After the 2003 season, Basham would step away from ARCA competition for an extended period, not returning to the series until 2015.
ARCA Menards Series Return (2015-2021)
Basham returned to ARCA competition in 2015 after a twelve-year absence, driving three races for Darrell Basham Racing in the No. 34 car. His best finish that season was 15th at the Illinois State Fairgrounds dirt track. During this period, Basham also competed in the Indiana Late Model Series, where he finished tenth in points with a best finish of sixth at Movieland Speedpark, demonstrating his versatility across different forms of stock car racing.
In 2016, Basham expanded his schedule significantly, running a majority of the races with his family team in collaboration with Mullins Racing. He finished tenth in the points standings that season, achieving his best finish of tenth at Springfield. The following year, Basham continued with the same operation and placed thirteenth in final points, with top finishes of thirteenth at both Winchester Speedway and Salem Speedway. For 2018, he added Kimmel Racing to his team lineup, making his debut with the team at Pocono Raceway while maintaining his thirteenth-place points position with an eleventh-place best finish at Elko Speedway.
Basham’s 2019 season saw him split time between Fast Track Racing, Kimmel Racing, and Darrell Basham Racing. Running only ten races, he finished seventeenth in the standings with a best finish of thirteenth at both Lucas Oil Raceway and Salem Speedway. The 2020 season marked a career-best performance, as Basham drove primarily for Fast Track Racing and achieved three top-ten finishes, including a career-best sixth at Springfield. This performance earned him eighth in the final standings, his highest points position to date. He also made three ARCA Menards Series East starts that year with a best finish of twelfth at Toledo Speedway.
Fast Track Racing Era (2020-Present)
Basham’s association with Fast Track Racing has become a central part of his recent ARCA career. In 2020, he ran the majority of the season with the team, including a collaboration with Chad Bryant Racing at the Kansas Speedway finale in the No. 77 Ford, where he finished twelfth. This partnership produced his most successful season to date, with the eighth-place points finish representing his career best in the ARCA Menards Series.
After limited appearances in 2021 and 2022, Basham returned to more consistent competition in 2023 and 2024. In 2023, he drove for Kimmel Racing at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park and Bristol Motor Speedway, though both races ended early due to mechanical issues. By 2024, Basham was back with Fast Track Racing for the ARCA Menards Series East season opener at Five Flags Speedway, where he qualified tenth and finished sixth, albeit five laps down to the race winner. This result demonstrated his continued competitiveness at the series level.
Driving Style and Strengths
Basham has demonstrated particular strength on dirt tracks throughout his ARCA career, with several of his best finishes coming at venues like Springfield and DuQuoin State Fairgrounds. His experience driving for multiple teams with different equipment configurations has made him adaptable to various racing conditions. While his results have been inconsistent at times, Basham has shown the ability to compete for top-ten finishes when equipment and circumstances align favorably.
Notable Races and Milestones
Springfield Mile stands as one of Basham’s signature tracks, where he achieved his career-best finish of sixth in 2020. DuQuoin State Fairgrounds was the site of his first notable result, a 22nd-place finish in his rookie season. His 2020 campaign represented his most successful stretch, with three top-ten finishes and a career-high eighth-place points standing. The 2024 season opener at Five Flags Speedway marked another milestone, as his sixth-place finish represented one of his strongest pavement results in recent years.
Mike Basham Career Wins
Throughout his career in the ARCA Menards Series, Mike Basham has not recorded a series victory. His best results have been top-ten finishes rather than wins, with his career-best finish of sixth coming at Springfield in 2020. In the Indiana Late Model Series during 2015, Basham achieved a sixth-place finish at Movieland Speedpark, representing one of his stronger results outside of ARCA competition.
ARCA Menards Series Highlights
Basham’s ARCA career is defined by consistency rather than victories. His best season came in 2020, when he achieved three top-ten finishes including a sixth at Springfield, along with a twelfth at Toledo Speedway in the East Series combination event. This performance earned him eighth in the final points standings, representing his highest series placement. His return to form in 2024 with a sixth-place finish at Five Flags Speedway demonstrated his continued ability to compete for strong results in the series.
Other Performances
Outside of ARCA, Basham’s most notable racing came in the Indiana Late Model Series in 2015, where he finished tenth in championship points. His best result in that series was a sixth-place finish at Movieland Speedpark. While he has not achieved victory lane results in national competition, Basham has established himself as a reliable part-time competitor capable of securing top-ten finishes when equipment and track conditions suit his driving style.
| Series | Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARCA Menards Series | 0 | 4+ | 0 |
Mike Basham Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Mike Basham comes from a racing family deeply rooted in ARCA competition. His father, Darrell Basham, is a long-time ARCA Menards Series driver who established the family-owned Darrell Basham Racing team. This racing heritage provided Mike with early exposure to the sport and access to equipment and knowledge that helped launch his own driving career. The family team served as Mike’s entry point into ARCA competition in 2001 and has remained a part of his racing journey throughout various comeback attempts.
Basham is the older brother of Jason Basham, who competed in ARCA from 2003 to 2013. The three generations of Basham drivers—Darrell, Mike, and Jason—have created a notable family presence in ARCA racing over multiple decades. This lineage has given Mike a unique perspective on the series and its evolution during his time as both a competitor and a spectator during his hiatus from the sport.
Personal Life
Information about Mike Basham’s personal life, including marital status and children, is not publicly documented in available sources. Born and raised in Henryville, Indiana, Basham has maintained connections to his home state throughout his racing career. His return to competition after extended periods away from the sport suggests a deep passion for racing that continues to drive his participation in the ARCA Menards Series more than two decades after his debut.
2025 Season Performance
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Mike Basham’s racing plans have not been publicly announced. Based on his recent pattern of part-time competition, he may continue to make select starts for teams such as Fast Track Racing or Shearer Speed Racing. His 2024 performance at Five Flags Speedway, where he finished sixth, demonstrated that he remains competitive when paired with capable equipment. Any 2025 campaign would likely continue his established approach of targeting specific races rather than pursuing a full-season championship effort.
The ARCA Menards Series landscape continues to evolve with new young talent entering the competition, which could impact opportunities for veteran part-time drivers like Basham. However, teams often value experienced drivers for pavement races and events where track conditions favor seasoned competitors. If Basham returns to competition in 2025, he would likely focus on tracks where he has historically performed well, such as Springfield and other venues where his experience provides an advantage.