Miller did something almost unheard of in short track racing as he won three championships in a single season.

FERNLEY – For most drivers winning one championship in a career is a huge accomplishment. To win three in one season is a dream come true.

A common sight this year was Robert Miller taking a victory lap after an IMCA Modified race.

IMCA Modified driver Robert Miller just accomplished this feat as this season has been a triple-crown year. The veteran’s racing history goes back to his teen-aged years.

“I started racing in 1980 when I was only 15 so I used my cousin’s driver’s license number,” he said. “It was a NASCAR track and I used that to get in but I looked like I was 12. After five weeks of racing they took all my points and I had to wait five weeks, until my birthday, to get back in.”

Miller added that in his first years he tore up a lot of cars.

“I raced down there 14 years on dirt then asphalt when I raced at Stockton for five or six years,” he said. “I moved up here in 1999.”

Robert Miller takes the checkered flag as he wins an IMCA feature race.

Over the years he’s won four titles at Fernley with 2005 being the last one until this year.

Over the past years Miller has raced several cars including the #202 car he drove for Joe Miller at an open event. Then things changed.

“My brother, Randy Miller, called me about a year ago and said, ‘OK I’m ready. And I went ready for what,” he said. “He said, choose any car you want and nothing used as we’re going to do this 100% and won’t cut any corners.”

Miller wanted a GRG chassis and they found one. Then his brother got everything that was needed.

“Definitely makes a difference when you have the latest equipment, shocks and ability to put it together,” he said.

And this year began on a positive note for the team.

“Nice first half of the year when we had everybody doing for the championship. It was nice that most of the year we were competitive regardless who was there and we went zero DNF’s in 30 races,” he said.

After winning an IMCA feature at 95A Speedway Robert Miller celebrates.

Back in 2003 Miller won the track championships at Fernley and Winnemucca as well as being ranked third in the region. His last main event win at Fernley, until this year was at 2012’s open show when he passed Shawn Natenstedt with three laps to go.

“So now we’ve got the equipment, have a solid team and confidence, even at 51 years old,” he said. “This just makes it something you can reflect back on; a season full of accomplishments to get the honors.”

And those honors this season are two track championships as well as the IMCA Nevada championship.

Racing is a team event as it takes not only the driver’s efforts but that of his or her team and sponsors.

“First I have to thank our wives and families for their support,” Miller said.

Then he listed his sponsors, R&J Landscaping, Friesen Crate Motors, Sandy at Premier Auto Body and Handy Man as well as pit crewmembers Randy Miller, Steve Cacamise and Ryan Weibel. And he added thanks to 95A track operator Dan Simpson, manager Matt Ramthun and the whole facility that they are improving.

This season also has a deeper meaning for Miller as he’s dedicated it to his cousin Chuck Miller, who has been fighting cancer. In fact the car is getting a new body for the Duel in the Desert and will get both Joe Frock’s #16 as well as “Cancer Sucks” on it.

Looking toward this weekend Miller will attend award ceremonies at Fernley 95A Speedway, which happens in the daytime, and at Lovelock Speedway’s dinner that evening.

“I want to attend both events to show support for the tracks,” he said.

A common sight at 95A Speedway and Lovelock Speedway was Robert Miller collecting the winner’s trophy after winning an IMCA feature.

Next week Miller’s son turns 21 so he’d devoted that day to him. But the car will be at the annual Duel in the Desert at Las Vegas with Joe Frock in the driver’s seat.

After this year’s effort Miller explained the team is taking another approach next year.

“This will probably be our last time running for points as we won’t run for the title,” he said.

The team plans to compete in more out of area races although they will race at times in Fernley. He doesn’t plan on missing the entire season at Fernley.

Asked why Miller said, “It wouldn’t be right to never be here as I have sponsors and fans.”

But for now Miller is basking in the glow of a season that went right and earned him three titles.

OTHER RACING NEWS:

• The Busch brothers had mixed results in Sunday’s race at Martinsville Speedway. Kyle started sixth and ended up fifth while older brother Kurt started second but a wreck dropped him to 34th.

In the Chase standings Kyle is not ranked second while Kurt has dropped to seventh with two more races to go in the eliminator rounds. On Sunday the next race will be at Texas.

• The final race of the season in this region will be the final round of the fall motocross series at Winnemucca. Start time will be around 9 a.m. for the first motos.