Miley family has established local racing tradition

The Miley family has been part of the local racing scene in western Pennsylvania for the last 35 years, whether it's been owning or leasing racetracks or racing for championships.

Thirteen times, Ben Miley has won late model championships. Brother Jerry is a well-known and respected engine builder, another brother, Matt, is a tire and body specialist, while yet another brother, Red, owns Motordrome Speedway. The entire Miley Motorsports operation leases Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania Motor Speedway as well.

"We have a lot of feedback and a lot of years in racing that really helps our team out," said the Miley brothers' nephew, Jesse Burroughs, who is in his third full season of racing limited late models. Both Jesse, who is 23, and his cousin, Jared Miley, 18, are competing in the Limited Late Model Division at PPMS this season.

To date, Jesse is second in points and Jared is sixth, with a combined three feature wins --Jesse with two and Jared with one. Over their last five races, the pair have an identical fifth-place average finish.

"Pretty awesome," Jesse said of racing against his cousin. "He's doing a lot better than I thought he would."

On his second night out, Jared captured his first-ever feature win.

"I won the heat race, and he led the whole thing to win the feature," said a very happy Jesse Burroughs.

Added Jared, "Before the race, I told my brother Matt (the crew chief on Jesse's car) that as long as I can get through the first turn and not spin out, I think I can win this."

Jesse, who was born in Rantoul, Ill., ran fairly well last season after buying a used rocket chassis and placing it in his uncle Ben's Lernerville late model car. By season's end, he not only finished sixth in points, but he also had the opportunity to race in the prestigious Pittsburgher 100.

After being the 10th fastest qualifier out of 76 cars, Jesse made the field, finishing 24th out of 28 cars.

His parents were both members of the military, having been involved with parachute operations back in Illinois. After their base was closed following the Gulf War, Jesse moved in with his mom and two sisters at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas.

"I was always coming to Pittsburgh every weekend in the summer to be with my aunt Ty and uncles and help work on Ben's car," he said.

Eventually, he permanently came to Pittsburgh in 1999, moving in with his grandparents in Robinson Township.

Jesse actually began racing in limited lates back in 2001, running the last nine races of the season after borrowing a car from late model driver Mike Cecere. Earlier this year, he broke into the win column with his first two feature victories.

"We're going to run for the limited late model championship this year," said Jesse. "As long as everything goes well, we're going to move to late models next year."

As it has this year, Broughers Machine Shop, the company that his father Jerry owns, will be backing Jared's late model effort next season. Family plans for the future have Jared eventually slipping into the seat currently occupied by his uncle Ben.

"Depending on how it goes, I plan on spending two years in limited lates, or it could be faster," said Jared.