Mike Knapp

Mike Knapp

Joined: Dec 13, 2017

I started my sportswriting career in 1998 as an agate clerk typing up scores, and one day my editor sent me out to cover a high school softball game -- and I've been covering sports ever since! I have covered Chicago-area sports from the high school to professional levels and have also appeared in local magazines, including Vineline, the official magazine of the Chicago Cubs. I have been a racing fan since my first trip to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1979, and seven years ago I created my own blog, 15 Days in May. I have been a FanSided contributor since December 2017.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAY 28: A general view of the start of the 101st running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motorspeedway on May 28, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Indy 500: Should there be bumping or should all cars start the race?

MARTINSVILLE, VA - APRIL 02: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 Axalta Chevrolet, Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 STP Ford, wreck during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series STP 500 at Martinsville Speedway on April 2, 2017 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

NASCAR: Who’s hot, who’s not heading to Martinsville

FONTANA, CA - MARCH 18: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, leads a pack of cars during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway on March 18, 2018 in Fontana, California. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)

NASCAR: Winners and losers from the 2018 Auto Club 400

AVONDALE, AZ - MARCH 11: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Freight Toyota, leads Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Jimmy John's Ford, during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series TicketGuardian 500 at ISM Raceway on March 11, 2018 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)

NASCAR: Who’s hot and who’s not heading to Auto Club Speedway

VONDALE, AZ - MARCH 11: Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Jimmy John's Ford, takes the checkered flag to win the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series TicketGuardian 500 at ISM Raceway on March 11, 2018 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

NASCAR: Winners and losers from the TicketGuardian 500 at Phoenix

AVONDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 12: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the

NASCAR: Who’s hot and who’s not heading to Phoenix

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 04: Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Jimmy John's Ford, and Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Pennzoil Ford, lead the field during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 4, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)

NASCAR: Winners and losers from 2018 Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 12: Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #78 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER BOATS Toyota, and Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 Target Chevrolet, lead the field during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 12, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

NASCAR: Who’s hot and who’s not heading to Las Vegas

HAMPTON, GA - FEBRUARY 25: Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Jimmy John's Ford, leads Ryan Newman, driver of the #31 Liberty National Chevrolet, and Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #78 Bass Pro Shops/5-hour Energy Toyota, during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on February 25, 2018 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

NASCAR: Winners and losers from 2018 Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 18: Alex Bowman, driver of the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet, races Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota, during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 60th Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 18, 2018 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images)

NASCAR: Who’s hot and who’s not heading into Atlanta

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 18: Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 DOW Chevrolet, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 60th Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 18, 2018 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images)

NASCAR: Winners and Losers from the 2018 Daytona 500

MONTEREY, CA - MAY 03: Scott Pruett is shown during practice for the Continental Tire Monterey Grand Prix Powered by Mazda at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on May 3, 2014 in Monterey, California. (Photo by Brian Cleary/Getty Images)

Motorsports: Scott Pruett calls it a career after Rolex 24

Dan Gurney drives the #5 Eagle Weslake T1G to victory at the Daily Mail Race of Champions on 12 March 1967 at the Brands Hatch circuit in Fawkham, Great Britain. (Photo by Getty Images)

Motorsport: Racing legend Dan Gurney passes away at age 86

FORT WORTH, TX - JUNE 09: Gabby Chaves, driver of the #88 Harding Group Chevrolet, practices for the Verizon IndyCar Series Rainguard Water Sealers 600 at Texas Motor Speedway on June 9, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images)

IndyCar: Harding Racing announce full-time program with Gabby Chaves for 2018

SONOMA, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Simon Pagenaud of France driver of the #1 DXC Technology Chevrolet crosses the finish line in first place to win the GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma at Sonoma Raceway on September 17, 2017 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

IndyCar: Five surprises from the 2017 season

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAY 28: Alexander Rossi, driver of the #98 NAPA Auto Parts Honda (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

IndyCar: 2018 Indianapolis 500 one-off driver possibilities