PITTSTON — Michael Costello looks like any other 12-year-old and he sounds like a typical 12-year-old. His heart, though, is that of a determined, hard-charging, seasoned, focused, racing machine.
Since 2014, Michael has been traveling around the country, escorted by his dad Pittston dentist John Costello, racing karts in a highly competitive series.
His first race was at Oakland Valley Race Park at Port Jervis, NY. In only his second time behind the wheel, Michael was running competitive lap times alongside the veterans.
“I’m not the one that got myself into it; thank you to my dad,” said Michael. “I’m thanking him greatly because, if he didn’t, I wouldn’t be were I’m at today.”
A former racer himself, Dr. Costello thought it might be a good idea to get his son involved in a sport he himself enjoyed.
Timing is everything and, with Michael getting into the sport of racing at an early age, he was able to get in on the ground level, that level being Kid Kart.
Michael handled himself well in his first year as a full-time driver of Kid Kart in 2015.
“I had four wins my first full season of Kid Kart,” he said. “I finished the year second in the championship just a few points behind the winner.”
He tested the waters by moving up to the next class, Micro, during the same 2015 season, driving one race against 25 other competitors. It was a learning experience.
Michael’s full season in Micro came in 2016, competing against six to 10 fellow racers at each event.
His big jump came in 2017 doing a few national events but also competing in club racing.
“I did a few nationals at that point, but mainly did club,” said Michael. “I was really dominant that year (in club), but I wasn’t really ready for nationals. I had to learn some stuff.”
As Michael gained confidence in his driving ability, he was being noticed on the circuit. He eventually started driving for pro driver and race team owner Steven McAleer.
During his first full year competing nationally in 2018, Michael did well, winning 11 of the 12 races he entered in Club that year.
“He probably finished in the top 20 in the country,” said Dr. Costello.
“I finished second in the only race I didn’t win because my engine blew,” Michael said.
The Costellos can be found traveling any given weekend, 12 months out of the year to race now that Michael is on a full-time national schedule.
“We race in Florida a lot; we race in Homestead, Ocala and Orlando,” Dr. Costello said. “We will race at GoPro Motorplex in North Carolina; we go to Indiana, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Las Vegas, Pocono and we’ll also be going to Utah and California.”
The 2019 season is underway with Michael competing at Homestead, Florida a few weeks ago. He will race in three different series: Superkarts’ USA, ROK Cup USA, and United States Pro Kart Series.
The Costellos have their eyes set on racing at the World Championships in Italy this year.
The Wilkes-Barre Academy sixth-grader is still racing as an amateur while working his way up different classes.
“People don’t start getting paid until they graduate to open-wheel racing,” Dr. Costello said. “It won’t be until he’s 14 or 15 until he’s in an open-wheel car.” An open-wheel racing car body is the same style of a car that races at the Indy 500.
Michael, who has been driving for Benik Racing for the past two seasons, is known for his concentration in the kart, but does enjoy joking around with teammates during downtime.
“When it comes time to focus going on grid, I just say to myself to keep relaxed,” Michael said.
Racing is a physically and mentally demanding sport, especially for a growing 12-year-old.
“In some classes, you have the potential to reach speeds up to 70 mph,” Michael said. “That’s fast for a cadet.”
To work on his physical and mental strength, Michael trains with Dr. Malcolm Conway in Kingston. Dr. Conway is well known in professional sports for training and rehabilitation.
Michael’s hero is racing world champion Lewis Hamilton of Formula 1 where he hopes to compete one day.
In the meantime, Michael will continue to hone his skill as a driver in the next few years.
“This is pretty much what I want to focus on in my life for a two reasons: number 1, it’s amazingly fun and number 2, it’s really the only talent I have in me and it’s the sport I am best at,” Michael said.
Michael’s mother is the former Nicol Chiampi, of West Pittston. His two biggest fans are his 9-year-old twin brothers, Nicholas and Joseph.
His maternal grandparents are Michael and Linda Chiampi, of West Pittston, and fraternal grandparents are Joseph and Mary Ann Costello, of Yatesville
