If you had told 16-year-old me that one day I’d own muscle cars, spend my weekends at dragstrips, and be racing side-by-side with my husband, I would’ve laughed and told you there was absolutely no way, I was too busy singing, dancing and playing teams sports(softball, basketball and volleyball). Racing wasn’t even on my radar. Yet here I am, 29 years later — strapped into a ’66 Plymouth Belvedere, burnout smoke curling behind me — and I wouldn’t trade a single moment of this journey. My mantra in life has always been Never regret the choices you make in life, it’s part of the process, it makes you special and who you are.
Meet Megan
Hi everyone, I’m Megan Bemiller — born and raised a die-hard football fan (Buckeyes and Steelers), and someone who is probably more competitive than is healthy. I didn’t grow up at the track. I didn’t race Juniors. I didn’t inherit a car or a racing legacy. My story is different — and that’s exactly why I signed up to be part of this program, because I want to tell my story so others see they can do anything too.
Because here’s the truth I’ve learned the long way around:
It doesn’t matter if you’re 20, 40, or 60 — whether it’s racing or any new hobby, you can jump in whenever you’re ready, because anything is possible when you put your mind to it.
And I learned that while juggling a whole lot more than just racing.
A Little More About Me
I’ve been part of this sport for 23 years — but during that time, I wasn’t just learning how to crew chief, wrench, and eventually race. I was also raising four kids (3 girls and 1 boy), each with their own schedules, needs, and crazy personalities. There were years when racing took a back seat to homework, sports, and the beautiful chaos of family life. There were years when I barely touched a race car because motherhood demanded everything I had.
But racing was always there — waiting for me, calling to me, reminding me that it’s okay to have dreams outside of being a mom. And when the time finally came to step into the driver’s seat full-time, I brought all of that life experience with me: the patience, the grit, the multitasking, the ability to stay calm in chaos. Turns out, raising four kids is excellent training for drag racing.
My Story: How I Got Here
My love for cars didn’t start in a garage or at a racetrack — it started in a neighborhood where my best friend was the “car kid.” His dad refurbished muscle cars, and his stepdad was a drag racer at our local track. Josh was the one that taught me how to change my oil, tires, spark plugs, even make plug wires and so many other things. I still remember the day his stepdad brought home a brand-new 1996 Dodge Viper and “tested” it on the street by our house. The sound, the power, the thrill — it hooked me long before I even realized it.
But life moved on, and racing wasn’t something I pursued. Not yet, but it didn’t take long.
Meeting Shaun
Fast-forward to 22-year-old me on a first date with a guy named Shaun. I had no idea he was a drag racer. He had no idea I wasn’t afraid to get dirty. One night before a date, I found him in the garage trying to get a transmission into his ’69 Dart. Without hesitation, I crawled under the car to help — and ended up with transmission fluid dumped on my head. I didn’t scream. I didn’t run. I just stuck my hand out and said, “Can you hand me a towel?”
That moment told him I might be a keeper. It told me that this world — the cars, the grit, the teamwork — felt like home.
Crew Chief Era
For years, I stood beside him as his crew chief. I learned the rhythm of race days, the language of engines, the feeling of belonging to something bigger than myself. I helped under the hood, in the lanes, and everywhere in between. I raced our street cars here and there — our B5 Blue ’74 Challenger with the little 340, and our Sublime Green ’70 Road Runner with the stout 440 — but I wasn’t a “racer” yet. Not in the way I am now.
Enter: Betty White
Everything changed when we bought my 1966 Plymouth Belvedere — affectionately named Betty White. She’s white, of course, but the name fits her personality: quiet and unassuming until she’s on track, where she gets rowdy and shows her attitude. She’s basically me in car form.
Betty White wasn’t just a car. She was my turning point.
🏆 The 2025 Season: The Year Everything Shifted
2025 was a season I’ll never forget — not because everything went perfectly, but because of how much I grew.
A Rough Ending to 2024 — And a Brutal Rebuild
2024 ended with a blown motor. Not ideal.
We sent it out to be rebuilt, and what followed was a series of delays, setbacks, and “are you kidding me?” moments. Parts were late. Machine work took longer than expected. Communication was spotty. Every time we thought we were close, something else popped up.
We finally got the motor back at the start of May — which gave us four weeks to get it back together before the first race. Four weeks to assemble, install, test, tune, and pray. It was stressful. It was exhausting. It was one of those “this is either going to work or it’s going to explode” situations.
But we made it. Barely. And that alone felt like a win.
Enter the ELITE Program
In January 2025, Shaun signed me up for the Elite program, and I can say without hesitation that it changed everything. Elite gave me clarity. It gave me structure. It gave me a way to understand my strengths and weaknesses without beating myself up. It taught me how to build a game plan — and trust it.
One of the biggest lessons?
I’m racing myself first — then the person in the other lane.
A Fresh Start
With a rebuilt motor, a bigger combination, and a new mindset, I entered the season with confidence. Shaun also joined me in NSS with his new car — same index, same class — which added a little extra motivation. (Okay, a lot of extra motivation.)
The First Win
Our first weekend out was with the local NSS Bash group. I went in with a positive outlook, a clear plan, and a belief that I was capable. And I proved it.
I won the event — not by luck, not by a bye, but by driving my race.
I hit the tree.
I drove the stripe.
I executed my strategy.
That win wasn’t my first ever, but it was my first where I did everything right. It changed my confidence overnight.
The Season as a Whole
By the end of 2025, I had:
- 3 wins
- 7 final-round appearances
- Beat my husband 2 out of 3 times
- Developed a deeper understanding of my car, my routine, and my mental game
The one I lost? I was -.0002. Aggressive? Absolutely. Regret it? Not even a little.
2025 wasn’t just successful — it was transformative.
What’s Coming in 2026 — The Good, The Bad, and the “Are You Serious?”
The 2026 season started slower in terms of race count, but not in terms of challenges.
Early Season Issues
Our first two weekends were at Dragway 42, and Mother Nature was not on our side. One weekend brought a 30+ mph headwind, and Betty White is about as aerodynamic as a brick with attitude. My car was getting shoved around, ETs were all over the place, and nothing felt consistent.
On top of that, we’ve had:
- Fuel system gremlins
- A staging issue that threw off my rhythm
- A weird intermittent electrical hiccup
- A carburetor that decided to be moody for no reason
It’s been a season of “fix one thing, find another.”
Mopar Madness
At Mopar Madness, I was not only helping wrangle the NSS group and ladder the class — which is basically like herding caffeinated ducks — but still racing and still managed to drive to a runner-up finish on Saturday. I wasn’t on my A-game on the tree, but I fought hard. On Sunday, I made adjustments based on what Elite taught me and found my rhythm again.
Next up, Its Bristol Baby!
We headed to Bristol for the 20th Anniversary World Footbrake Challenge for 4th of July weekend — it’s a race that’s been on our bucket list long enough that we decided to give it a try. So, we packed up in the truck and trailer, with the plan to doubled up in the Krusty Dart. Pillow behind my back like a grandma, I managed to get past first round three out of the four days, which is a solid improvement from last year’s WFC Labor Day race.
The Tree and I weren’t exactly in sync, but I hit it when I needed to and caught a couple lucky breaks. Friday even felt like it might be my day… until it wasn’t. After starting the car and pulling up under the tower twice, the third attempt was a full protest. The Dart basically said, “Nope, too hot.” The transmission cable clip snagged on the blanket and pulled itself out, and once they put me on a two-minute timer, my night was done.
We learned two things in Bristol:
- We are NOT built for that level of hot-weather racing.
- We are NOT marathon racers. Waiting 4–8 hours between runs makes it tough to stay locked in.
But honestly, I’m okay with that. I learned what I’m capable of — and what I don’t need to force myself into. To those who thrive in those long, scorching weekends, more power to you and God bless your endurance.
The Rest of the Season
From July through mid-October, things get wild:
- Buckeye Stock/Super Stock
- NDRL
- Mopar Nationals
- Rock and Race
- Multiple Mopar events across Ohio and neighboring states
It’s a full, intense schedule — and I’m ready for it.
Wrap-Up
Drag racing takes grit. It takes heart. It takes time, sacrifice, and a willingness to grow. It’s early mornings, late nights, long drives, and endless maintenance. It’s the thrill of a win and the sting of a red light. It’s the community, the adrenaline, the challenge, and the joy.
But most of all, it’s teamwork.
I could not do any of this without Shaun — my partner, my teammate, and the glue that holds our entire program together. He maintains three race cars, the RV, the truck, and the trailers, making sure we’re safe and ready for every race day. Also can’t forget Stormin Norman our cockapoo, there is never a trip to the dragstrip that he’s not with us. Golfcart rides and winners circle pictures are his favorite things! Being touched by anybody but his 2 humans, not so much, you can look but no pets for my wild 17.5lb wild man.
My hope is that my story shows others that it doesn’t matter when you start or how you got here. What matters is passion, determination, and the willingness to learn.
Thanks to Elite, I’m racing smarter, stronger, and more confidently than ever — and I can’t wait to see what 2026 brings, and to share the wins, losses and lessons with everybody.
Until next time!
-Megan
Keep up with Megan:
YouTube: Windy Hollow Garage
Instagram: @windyhollowgarage
