Much of NASCAR spotter Mike Calinoff’s life involves two things that he is very passionate about: racing and winning. The vast majority of Calinoff’s professional career has been centered on the sport of auto racing. And most of his involvement in the sport has included winning races. In fact, he has visited victory lane more than any other active NASCAR spotter.

Mike Calinoff is all about winning. It's what gets him up in the morning and rocks him to sleep at night. At the NASCAR level, he has been to Victory Lane more times than any other active Spotter having won in the NASCAR Nextel Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck Series. He has also joined the winning celebrations in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and ARCA/ReMAX Series.

Meet Mike!

CALINOFF, KENSETH READY TO RETURN TO CHAMPIONSHIP FORM

Former Sprint Cup champion Matt Kenseth is hoping a renewal of a six-year teaming with spotter Mike Calinoff will serve as an additional component for his No. 17 Roush-Fenway Racing team return to its championship form of 2003. Calinoff, who spotted Tony Stewart’s final 10 races with Joe Gibbs Racing, recently signed with Roush-Fenway as Kenseth’s 2009 Cup Series spotter after spending nearly three years with Chip Ganassi Racing.

“I’m probably as excited for a new season as I’ve ever been,” said Calinoff. “I’ve missed the friendship with Matt and how well we work together. The Roush-Fenway organization has always been good to me, and coming back is kind of like a homecoming.”

Said Kenseth, “I am looking forward to working with Mike again. We had some great success in the Nationwide and Cup Series together – as well as a lot of fun.”

Calinoff began spotting NASCAR modifieds in 1987. He spotted for several Cup and Nationwide Series teams before teaming with Kenseth in 2000. He primarily worked as David Stremme and Dario Franchitti’s spotter at Ganassi over the past three years. Calinoff landed a 10-race job with Stewart for the 2008 Chase for the Cup and will now return to provide “the voice of experience” for Kenseth’s Roush-Fenway Ford in ’09.