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A YEAR IN THE LIFE: Miss Short Track Super Series

Emilee Mills - In Her Own Words

FOR THE LAST YEAR, I’ve been known as Miss Short Track Super Series but I’m also a former racer’s daughter, a racer’s cousin and a fan of racing in general. I come from a family that has been in dirt modified racing for four generations! Not only did I grow up around my father Jamie Mills racing but my grandfather Eugene Mills owns the Bluehen Racing Team, which has had many awesome drivers race for us that I personally have had the pleasure of getting to meet like Kenny Brightbill, Bob McCreadie and Jack Johnson. I always knew from a young age that racing was something extremely important to me, and something I have and always will have a passion for.

In 2017, Brett and Heather Deyo gave me the opportunity to become Miss Georgetown Speedway, which allowed me to meet so many racing people who are now like family to me. My Miss Georgetown reign came to an end in 2021 and I decided to run for Ms. Motorsports 2022, and I was second runner up. I knew at that point I did not want to be done representing the sport I’ve always loved. So, I decided to talk to the Deyo’s about having a “trophy girl” for the Short Track Super Series, and as Brett Deyo said “anything for Miss Mills!”! I was so excited to be a part of the STSS crew, and honestly couldn’t believe I was going to be able to represent one of the biggest dirt modified series in the north east. Some people think that my responsibility as this title holder is to be a “pretty girl” in victory lane with a bikini on but that’s not all that true. My main responsibility is to represent STSS with dignity and passion. I have done many duties as Miss Short Track Super Series. Not only do I take pictures in victory lane but I also help out wherever I’m needed. For instance, giving out weight stickers at pre-race tech, hanging up signs and banners before a series race, helping with driver sign in at the series trailer, doing redraw, hanging out with fans, selling posters and giving out crowns and flags to kids, and even helping with media.

Throughout the year I have been able to have so many incredible moments and make so many memories. I checked off seven new tracks that I’ve never been to - Orange County Fair Speedway, Afton Motorsports Park, Outlaw Speedway, Utica-Rome Speedway, Devils Bowl Speedway, Accord Speedway, and Bloomsburg and they were all great experiences and facilities. Some of my favorite moments throughout the year have been being able to get so much closer with not only fans, but with drivers as well. I never thought that one day I’d be able to go to a racetrack and actually be able to hang out with some of my biggest racing idols.

I’ve also formed so many new friendships. Coming from a small town in Delaware, you don’t really know many racers or people from New York, Pennsylvania or even Vermont, but I was lucky enough to meet so many people throughout the year that have supported me and made me feel like I was home.

I always love to see the happiness on a driver’s face and their families full of excitement after a win because it truly gives me that same feeling I had as a child when my dad would win races. A good example of how I appreciate racing as a family sport is when Stewart Friesen won the NewYorker at Utica- Rome Speedway. He brought Parker (his son) up on the roof with him and they were both filled with so much joy, then they sat down on the roof together and watched the fireworks go off in the background, it was such a sweet moment that I got to actually witness in person. Another memory that surpasses most is when I have given out crowns and flags to some of the children at different tracks, seeing how happy the kids are is such a good feeling, because without them in the sport at a young age then racing could very well end in the future.

On the other hand, there have been some challenging times. With all the traveling I have done throughout the season, it has made it hard to be able to support my family at home that race weekly at Bridgeport Speedway but luckily I have Race Monitor and FloRacing. Another challenging aspect of the year was trying to get out of my comfort zone. I have always been kind of a shy girl without much self-esteem but this year truly changed my life and allowed me to get out there and find myself.

In the end, my year as Miss Short Track Super Series has been one of the most life changing experiences ever and I can’t thank Brett and Heather Deyo enough for allowing me to do what I love. Although I am now in nursing school and plan to be a Nurse Practitioner one day, racing will always be a part of me, and I am truly blessed to have been able to do all the things I have this year, travel all the miles, meet all the racers and fans, and form so many new friendships unlike many others.

Things don’t always go as planned for Miss STSS, especially at Port Royal