Albert "Mike" Luberda
Albert Luberda, widely known as "Mike," began his racing career in 1965 at the age of 18, following in the footsteps of his father, Ed Luberda, who had started racing in 1946. Growing up, Mike was captivated by his father's stories of racing at the Standish Fairgrounds, a half-mile dirt track that played a significant role in the Luberda family's racing history. The family had even helped build the track, making it a special place in their legacy. But for Mike, Standish was just the beginning.
His breakout moment came behind the wheel of a 1955 Chevy Bel Air, a car that cemented his reputation across Michigan’s racing scene. Between 1968 and 1970, he dominated Standish, going undefeated in every single event—an extraordinary feat that remains unmatched in today's highly competitive and regulated racing world.
Mike’s success extended far beyond Standish. Over his career, he amassed more than 200 feature wins and claimed 20 championships at tracks such as Whittemore, Raceland (AKAWilber) and, of course, Standish. His talent also led him to the Michigan Speedway Promoters Association (MSPA) Series in 1980, where he was named Rookie of the Year. The following season, he set his sights on the championship, but an unforeseen tragedy changed everything. While arriving at Merritt Speedway for a race, he was struck by a drunk driver, forcing him to sit out the remainder of the season.
Though unable to race post-crash, Mike’s passion for the sport never wavered. He selflessly supported fellow racers, including Michigan Motorsports Hall of Famer Tom Rosebrugh, to whom he lent his motor for Auto City’s Mud Slinger 100. Rosebrugh dominated the event, setting a track record, winning multiple races, and nearly taking the main event before a minor mechanical failure ended his run.
In 1982, Mike made a triumphant return, capturing what he considered his proudest victory—the Blatz Invitational at Whittemore Speedway. He outperformed a field of elite competitors, including Hall of Fame drivers Frank Seder, Mike Bilacic, Bob Kingen, Kris Patterson, and Tom Rosebrugh.
By the late 1980s, racing took a backseat as Mike focused on growing the family businesses—Luberda Wood Products and Luberda’s Fishery, while racing part-time at Whittemore Speedway. However, he returned to full-time in 1989, supported by Finnigan’s Oak Furniture, Wiltse Chevrolet, and Luberda Wood Products, resuming full-time competition across Michigan.
Mike became a staple of the Main Event Series, finishing in the top ten in overall points for three consecutive years. Later, he transitioned to open-wheel modified racing, where he continued setting track records and proving his skill well into his 70s. In a fitting finale, he secured his last feature win in 2022 at the age of 74, clinching the Season Championship Modified Feature at Whittemore Speedway.