Gavin Miller was seven-years old the first time he got behind the wheel of a quarter midget race car.

That was 10 years ago. Now 17-years old, when most people his age are just learning to drive, Miller is entering the second decade of a successful motorsports career.

He raced his first full season on the USAC (United States Auto Club) Midget circuit in 2023 and earned the Rookie of the Year Award after a win during Indiana Midget week and a handful of podium finishes.

“It went about as I expected,” he said of his rookie season. “I made some mistakes in my first full midget season and that helped me to learn and improve.”

He finished eighth on the USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship points list while racing against drivers of all ages, some of which are veterans on that circuit more than twice his age. Miller also placed third this season in the Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series standings. He won four national full midget races this season and has six national quarter midget USAC titles.

Miller started his career at Keystone State Quarter Midget Racing in Schnecksville and worked his way through the ranks. Only a few short years ago Gavin began his journey with Keith Kunz Motorsports, a team based in Indiana and owned by Keith Kunz and Pete Willoughby. .

Since then he’s been racing all over the country, usually flying to race locations on Wednesday evenings and returning at the end of a weekend of competition. Through the Parkland School District’s online education program, he’s able to build a 60-race schedule each season, competing nearly year-round while still getting a PSD education.

He runs on tracks from 1/8 of a mile, where he reaches speeds of around 70-80 miles per hour, to 1/2-mile tracks where he can go as fast 120 down the straightaways.

“Just the thrill,” he said when asked what he likes most about his sport. “Going fast and winning races.”

He’s always trying to learn more about racing, about the tracks, his car and anything that can help him get to the front of the pack and take the checkered flag. His crew chief with Keith Kunz Motorsports, Brandon Selph, provides a wealth of knowledge about the sport and Miller takes it all in.

“He’s fantastic,” Miller’s mother Nicole said of Selph. “We’re fortunate to have him coach and guide Gavin.”

Miller studies other drivers and likes to watch race video in an effort to learn more about tracks and which grooves work best at different places. He said his ability to race the high or low groove is a strength. His driving skills have been a big part of his success, but his confidence is also a factor.

“Fifty-percent of it is mindset,” he said, “having confidence in the car and yourself.

“Every driver has a driving style. I think when I’m out there, I know what line to hit. Every track is different. It’s a learning process. I’m still learning. It’s a lot of fun. The next step is always a challenging one until I figure it out.”

After his successful rookie year Miller plans to build on that next season and continue along to the highest ranks of auto racing some day. He’s enjoyed the ride thus far and will continue to do that as well, along with the support of his team and sponsors.

As much as he enjoys the racing, he also loves the racing community and the friends he’s made locally as well as during his years on the national circuit.

“This all started locally at a small track in Schnecksville,” said Nicole Miller. “Now we’re racing around the country. We’re just very grateful. You need great support and all our partners provide great support. There are a lot of good people behind the scenes.”