Growing up immersed in the captivating world of drag racing, Michael Walker has set his sights on making his mark on the track. Hailing from Carroll County, Maryland, his father’s racing career ignited Walker’s passion for racing.
“I grew up around the racetrack, and that’s all I’ve ever really cared to do,” Walker says.
[Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in DI #191, the 30 Under 30 Issue, in November / December of 2024.]
True to his father’s promise, Walker received a blue, blown ’67 Chevy II as a high school graduation gift, launching his racing journey. He wasted no time, jumping into the competitive no-time series and racking up local wins.
“That was the plan,” Walker explains. “When I graduated high school, he told me he’d put me in one of the cars. So that was my motivation to get there.”
As his ambitions grew and he wanted to go faster, Walker tested the waters in his dad’s Pro Mod for a bit before obtaining one of his very own, where he competed in the Northeast Outlaw Pro Mod Association. However, the financial demands of the Pro Mod world soon became a challenge.
Despite these adversities, Walker adapted by returning to his roots in the no-time series, competing primarily at Maryland International Raceway, Capitol Raceway, and Colonial Beach. He currently fields two screw-blown BAE-powered Camaros controlled by FuelTech.
“At first, it started because it was what my father used to do,” says Walker, referencing the type of racing he’s fond of, “but now that I’m actually in a car, the adrenaline and the amount of tension I get knowing that everybody goes there to see Pro Mods or fast door cars gives me a little more of an adrenaline rush than if I were to get in my bracket car. I know that all eyes are on me, and everybody’s either waiting for you to screw up or waiting for you to win.
“The big part of the no-time world is it’s a crazy feeling when you pull into the burnout box, and you look around, and all you see is a whole bunch of money pointing at you or pointing away from you. It builds up much more pressure on you as a driver,” adds Walker.
The 2024 season was a breakout year for Walker. He set a personal best of 3.61 seconds at 209 MPH during an event at Cecil County Dragway.
“That really gave us the motivation to keep going. Then we ran a couple other no-time series at Maryland International Raceway, and I won two of those,” Walker recalls, also sharing that his success led to an unfortunate consequence. “We won almost every race, and then they banned my combo for kicking their butt so bad.”
Looking ahead, Walker is considering running in select PDRA races and other high-profile events like the Yellowbullet Nationals. But he remains flexible about his future plans.
Walker’s support system is integral to his success. His family and friends have been with him every step of the way, providing both financial backing and moral support, especially his mom and dad; Tommy Barnes, who has been with Walker from the beginning; and the Woolford brothers.
When asked what advice he has for aspiring drag racers, Walker’s words reflect the perseverance that has defined his journey.
“Never give up, no matter how hard you think it is,” Walker shares. “There’s always going to be light at the end of the tunnel.”
This story was originally published on February 10, 2025. 
