Julie Stefanik

Julie Stefanik was a partner in her husband Mike's racing career and its success. Mike Stefanik won an unprecedented two NASCAR Touring Division championships in consecutive years, 1997 and 1998, on the NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series and the NASCAR Busch North Series.

She supported him in moves to the Busch Series, a Craftsman Truck Series rookie of the year campaign in 1999 and a return to his Modified Series roots. Julie's efforts behind the scenes were as heroic as her husband's dual series athletics. She coordinated travel and administrative duties in relation to Mike's racing schedule, including travel between events and tracks when the tours were running on the same weekend.

In addition, the couple also had to balance family life with their two children: Nicole and Christine, who were 9 and 5, respectively, when Stefanik scored his first double.

Julie was not new to the racing business when she met Mike. She had worked for her father, Sonny Koszela, who owned a NASCAR Modified team and a racing parts business.

"She understands racing," Mike said. "She's been around racing her entire life. She's probably my toughest critic, too. If I have a bad race, I know it will be a long ride home.

"She's a great mother, a super partner and she's irreplaceable in my life."