Tim Goulet Bio
Timothy Goulet (born November 13, 1981) is an American professional stock car racing driver, crew chief, and team owner. He last competed part-time in the ARCA Menards Series West, driving the No. 31 Toyota for Rise Motorsports. Goulet has built his career around both turning wrenches behind the wall and steering race cars on track, a combination that has shaped his standing in the sport.
Beyond driving, Goulet has spent years working as a crew member and crew chief for several NASCAR and ARCA-affiliated teams. His journey from the pit box to the driver’s seat reflects a deep, hands-on knowledge of stock car racing that began on the short tracks of Wisconsin.
Early Life and Background
Timothy Goulet was born on November 13, 1981, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Growing up in the Milwaukee area placed him near one of the most historic venues in American motorsports, the Milwaukee Mile, a track that would later play an important role in his racing story. His Midwestern upbringing gave him an early appreciation for both dirt and paved oval racing.
Goulet first developed his love for stock car racing by attending NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series events at the Milwaukee Mile. The sight and sound of the trucks on the historic oval sparked a passion that carried him from the grandstands to the local short tracks. During his formative years, he raced late models on a variety of regional dirt tracks, learning the craft of car control and race craft in demanding, slide-job-style competition.
After his early racing days, Goulet pursued formal training to become an industrial mechanic. That technical education would later prove valuable when he transitioned from driving to working as a crew member and eventually a crew chief for professional teams.
Path to NASCAR
Goulet’s path to NASCAR-level racing came through the working side of the sport rather than the driver’s seat. After completing his industrial mechanic training, he relocated with his family to North Carolina, the heart of the NASCAR industry. There, he joined Mike Harmon Racing as a pit crew member, where his mechanical background allowed him to contribute immediately to the team’s operations.
His responsibilities at Mike Harmon Racing grew over time. He advanced from a pit crew role to car chief, and eventually to crew chief, gaining a complete understanding of race-day strategy, car preparation, and team management. Those years behind the wall gave him a strong foundation in the technical and strategic sides of stock car racing.
Goulet later worked with other teams, including MBM Motorsports and Jesse Iwuji Motorsports, expanding his experience across multiple organizations. His time as a crew member and crew chief set the stage for the next step in his career, building his own race team and returning to the driver’s seat.
Tim Goulet Career
Early Career
Goulet’s earliest competitive experience came on the local dirt tracks around Wisconsin, where he raced late models. These grassroots events taught him the fundamentals of stock car racing, including car control, patience in traffic, and how to read a racetrack over a long run. While he did not chase a national touring schedule during this period, the late model ranks sharpened the skills that would later matter at higher levels.
His transition out of the driver’s seat and into mechanical and team roles marked the next phase of his career. Working as a pit crew member and later as a car chief and crew chief at Mike Harmon Racing gave him a working knowledge of how a professional race team operates from setup through race day.
ARCA Menards Series Breakthrough
In 2022, Goulet took a major step by forming his own team, Rise Motorsports, alongside fellow driver Rita Thomason. The team made its ARCA debut at the Milwaukee Mile, fittingly the same track that had inspired Goulet’s interest in racing years earlier. Thomason drove the No. 31 Chevrolet in that debut and finished 25th after suffering engine issues.
Goulet himself made his ARCA Menards Series driving debut in 2023 at Berlin Raceway, behind the wheel of the No. 31 Chevrolet for Rise Motorsports. He finished 12th in the event, completing the race multiple laps down but gaining valuable seat time in a national touring series. The debut marked a full-circle moment for a driver whose interest in racing had begun in the Milwaukee area years earlier.
His most recent activity has been in the ARCA Menards Series West, where he has driven the No. 31 Toyota for Rise Motorsports on a part-time basis. Although his national-level results have been limited, Goulet’s combination of driving duties and team ownership has made him a recognized figure in the ARCA paddock.
Rise Motorsports Era
Running his own team has allowed Goulet to balance driving with the responsibilities of ownership. Under the Rise Motorsports banner, he has fielded cars for himself and for his wife, Rita Goulet, creating a family-oriented operation that competes in the ARCA Menards Series. The team has worked to develop its program and build consistency at the national touring level.
His role as both driver and team owner means he brings a mechanic’s perspective to his own feedback behind the wheel, an unusual but valuable combination at the ARCA level. The program continues to grow, with Goulet splitting time between shop preparation and race-day driving duties.
Notable Races and Milestones
Goulet’s most meaningful moment on track came with his 2023 ARCA Menards Series debut at Berlin Raceway, where he finished 12th. The Milwaukee Mile, the site of his team’s ARCA debut with his wife behind the wheel, remains a signature venue tied to the Rise Motorsports story.
Tim Goulet Career Wins
Verified victories at the national touring level have not been recorded in available sources. Goulet’s career has emphasized team building, mechanical preparation, and developing a part-time driving program rather than chasing weekly wins, so headline victory totals are not documented in the available record.
ARCA Menards Series Highlights
Goulet’s ARCA Menards Series activity is centered on part-time competition with Rise Motorsports. His driving debut at Berlin Raceway in 2023 and his more recent ARCA Menards Series West starts in the No. 31 Toyota represent the foundation of his national-series résumé.
Tim Goulet Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Family plays a central role in Goulet’s racing life. He operates Rise Motorsports together with his wife, and the team has fielded entries for both of them in ARCA competition. The team is built around a family-based model that blends ownership and driving duties.
Personal Life
Goulet is married to fellow driver Rita Goulet, formerly Rita Thomason, who also competes part-time in ARCA. The couple first met in early 2022 and married on January 1, 2023. Goulet also has a son from a previous marriage. The family connection extends into their racing operation, with both drivers representing the Rise Motorsports team on track.
2025 Season Performance
Goulet’s 2025 activity is expected to continue on a part-time basis with Rise Motorsports, primarily in the ARCA Menards Series West driving the No. 31 Toyota. The team’s focus appears to be on maintaining its family-run program and selectively entering events that fit the schedule of both drivers.
With limited verified results for the 2025 season, the storyline centers on team development rather than weekly championship contention. Goulet’s role as driver and owner allows him to evaluate the program from both sides, an arrangement that can support incremental improvement over the season.
Looking ahead, Rise Motorsports is positioned to continue growing its ARCA presence while balancing the demands of a small, family-owned operation. The outlook for the remainder of the year depends on sponsorship, scheduling, and the team’s ability to bring reliable equipment to each selected event.
