At the age of 8, Joey got his first go-kart for his birthday.  He began racing shortly after that, winning his first race right out of the shoot.  Needless to say, he was hooked!  In 2004, his first year of racing, he won  ROOKIE OF THE YEAR.   Joey continued to dominate at the Sunset Speedway Kart Association driving Jr 1 Animals and captured 2 consecutive Championships in 2005 and 2006.  Moving into the faster more competitive Jr 2 Animal kart when he turned 11 in 2007, Joey again won the ROOKIE OF THE YEAR and dominated on the local racing circuit winning 3 consecutive Championships in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

 

In 2010-2011, Bird started circle track racing in the MMRA Baby Grand Series Division.  Competing at Montana Raceway Park in Kalispell, MT, Las Vegas Motor Speedways’  Bullring Track and Stateline Speedway in Post Falls, ID.  Joey captured an impressive 6 wins and finished in the top 3 in more than 92% of races entered.  He took home 2 National titles at the end of his first year.  He won the MMRA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR and the MMRA JR PRO WEST DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP. Joey also raced locally at the Stateline Speedway.  He won over half of the Baby Grand Races he entered with 5 wins, 7 top 5’s, 3 poles and 2 track records.  He took home a 2nd place track honor his rookie year.

 

In 2012, Joey ran the Baby Grand Series at Stateline Speedway in Post Falls, ID. The season fell short with races being rained out with no make up races scheduled. Out of the 5 races ran, he still managed to be at the top of the charts. Bird ran away with most wins in the series and finished in the top three 100% of the races he entered, winning over half. Joey completed the season with 3 wins, 5 top 5's and 3 poles. He took home a 2nd place track honor.

 

In 2013, Joey ran the Hydrive Super Late Model division at Stateline Speedway in Post Falls, ID. He raced a total of 4 races in that series, placing in the top 3, three out of the four races entered. He also traveled to Kalispell, Mt to race in the Firecracker 125. Earning fastest lap in practice and finishing a strong 6th place. Joey competed in the Montana 200, and was wrecked out of the transfer position on the last lap. Redeeming himself at the Idaho 200, coming from the back twice after getting spun, he finished a strong 10th place out of 35 drivers.

 

In 2014, Joey ran 3 races.  He traveld once again to Montana to run 2 of his races.  He raced the Firecracker 125, taking home a 4th place finish.  He went back and ran the Montana 200. Starting 8th, he was running strong, but got caught up in the big one on lap 10.  He did not finish the race.  Finally he came home to run the Idaho 200.  After hitting the wall in practice and overheating....he placed a remarkable 11th.

 

In 2015, Joey made his way back to Montana Raceway Park.  He ran in the Firecracker 125, taking a 2nd place finish.  He then again went back for the Montana 200.  He started 5th and ran all the way up to 2nd and unfortunatley had an alternator failure that took him out of the race early.  His next debut was at his home track for the Idaho 200.  Qualifed 2nd fastest and opted to start in the back for the DOUBLE DOWN PAY DAY.  He came from the back twice, for an amazing 2nd place finish...earining double prize money.  Two more races for the year: Spokane County Super Oval, where again he had failure with the car and at Yakima Speedway. He started 15th....last transfer spot and held his own until he got caught up in a wreck.  

 

Special Racing Training classes, tutors, ect.... I had a lot of great people around me but my main training came from my Dad and Uncle. My Dad always kept me focused and taught me to make smart decisions at the track. My Uncle Jeff Bird was my mentor and my everything during racing. He has 25 years of racing experience in the NASCAR NW Tour where he was Rookie of the Year and top five in points. He also raced in the NASCAR Winston West Series where he was Champion 2 years in a row. He has taught me everything I know.

 

 

Raised to Race