Tim Goulet Bio
Timothy Goulet (born November 13, 1981) is an American professional stock car racing driver, crew chief, and team owner. He last competed part-time in the ARCA Menards Series West, driving the No. 31 Toyota for Rise Motorsports. Goulet is also recognized for his behind-the-scenes work as a crew member for several NASCAR-affiliated teams before launching his own operation.
Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Goulet developed an early passion for racing that eventually carried him from local short tracks to the national stock car scene. His career has spanned multiple roles, including pit crew member, car chief, crew chief, driver, and team owner, giving him a well-rounded view of the sport.
Early Life and Background
Timothy Goulet was born on November 13, 1981, and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Growing up in the Midwest placed him near one of the most historic venues in American motorsports, the Milwaukee Mile, where he was first exposed to top-level stock car competition.
As a young fan, Goulet attended NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races at the Milwaukee Mile, an experience that sparked his lifelong interest in racing. He began his competitive driving in late models at various local dirt tracks around the region, learning the fundamentals of car control and race craft in a grassroots environment.
After his early racing years, Goulet pursued a trade education, training to become an industrial mechanic. That technical training would later prove valuable when he transitioned into mechanical and crew roles within professional racing teams.
Path to NASCAR
Goulet’s path into the NASCAR ecosystem began when he relocated with his family to North Carolina, the heart of the American stock car industry. There, he joined Mike Harmon Racing as a pit crew member, working on the team’s race-day operations and gaining firsthand experience in a national touring-series environment.
His mechanical skill and work ethic led to promotions within the organization. He advanced from pit crew member to car chief, and eventually to crew chief, a leadership role responsible for race-day decisions, setup choices, and crew coordination. Those years behind the wall sharpened his understanding of what drivers need to be competitive.
Following his time at Mike Harmon Racing, Goulet took on crew roles with other teams, including MBM Motorsports and Jesse Iwuji Motorsports. These experiences exposed him to a wider range of equipment, crew structures, and race formats, ultimately preparing him to step out from behind the wall and pursue driving and team ownership on his own terms.
Tim Goulet Career
Early Career
Tim Goulet’s earliest competitive years were spent in late models at local dirt tracks around the Milwaukee, Wisconsin, area. That grassroots scene taught him the basics of car setup, tire management, and the patience required to finish races on demanding surfaces.
His transition from the driver’s seat to the pit box came when he joined Mike Harmon Racing in North Carolina. Working his way up from pit crew member to car chief and then crew chief, Goulet built a strong technical foundation that would later support both his driving comeback and his team ownership goals.
Rise Motorsports Era (2022–Present)
In 2022, Goulet formed his own team, Rise Motorsports, alongside fellow driver Rita Thomason. The team made its competitive debut at the ARCA Menards Series event at Milwaukee, with Thomason behind the wheel of the No. 31 Chevrolet. She finished 25th after being sidelined by engine issues, but the effort marked the official launch of the program.
Goulet himself made his ARCA Menards Series driving debut in 2023 at Berlin Raceway, piloting the No. 31 Chevrolet for his own team. He brought the car home in twelfth position, running multiple laps down but completing the event and gaining valuable seat time in the process.
The team has since aligned with Toyota, campaigning the No. 31 Toyota in the ARCA Menards Series West. Operating as both owner and driver, Goulet has continued to build the program while balancing his on-track ambitions with the responsibilities of running a small, growing race team.
Driving Style and Strengths
Goulet’s driving style reflects his years of mechanical and crew chief experience. He approaches races with a builder’s mindset, focusing on consistent finishes, clean execution, and steady development of his equipment. His comfort on short tracks and ovals, paired with his familiarity with Chevrolet and Toyota machinery, gives Rise Motorsports a stable foundation to grow from as the team gains more track time together.
Notable Races and Milestones
The 2023 ARCA Menards Series race at Berlin Raceway stands as Tim Goulet’s most significant milestone as a driver, marking his national-series debut at the wheel of his own team’s No. 31 entry. Returning to the Milwaukee Mile as a team owner for the program’s debut was also a memorable moment, bringing his racing story full circle back to the track where his passion for the sport first began.
Tim Goulet Career Wins
Tim Goulet has focused his recent competitive efforts on building and growing Rise Motorsports rather than chasing wins at the national level. As a part-time driver in the ARCA Menards Series West, his priorities have been gaining seat time, finishing races, and developing the team’s operations.
ARCA Menards Series Highlights
Goulet has made limited ARCA Menards Series starts, with his debut at Berlin Raceway in 2023 being his most notable entry to date. His twelfth-place finish in that event represented a clean, complete run for a new team. As of his most recent appearances, he has not recorded a victory in the series.
Other Wins and Performances
Earlier in his career, Goulet competed in local late model events on dirt tracks around the Milwaukee area. Specific results from those grassroots races are not fully documented in available records, and no championship titles at that level have been verified.
Tim Goulet Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Tim Goulet’s family is closely tied to his racing journey. He and his family relocated from Wisconsin to North Carolina so he could pursue opportunities in professional stock car racing, a move that proved pivotal in his career development. The racing tradition in his household continues today through his own involvement and that of his spouse.
Personal Life
Tim Goulet is married to fellow driver Rita Goulet, formerly known as Rita Thomason. The two met in early 2022 and were married on January 1, 2023. Rita has also competed part-time in ARCA, including driving the No. 31 Chevrolet for Rise Motorsports at its debut event at Milwaukee. Goulet also has a son from a previous marriage.
2025 Season Performance
Tim Goulet’s 2025 plans center on continuing to develop Rise Motorsports as a part-time operation in the ARCA Menards Series West. With the No. 31 Toyota as the team’s primary entry, the focus remains on expanding the schedule, building reliable race-day procedures, and putting consistent finishes together.
As both owner and driver, Goulet balances business and on-track duties, a dual role that defines his 2025 storyline. The team is expected to make select West Series starts while strengthening its off-track partnerships and crew development.
Looking ahead, the outlook for Rise Motorsports in 2025 is one of steady growth rather than headline results. Goulet’s combination of mechanical knowledge, crew leadership, and personal seat time gives the program a clear direction as it works toward becoming a more regular presence in the ARCA Menards Series West paddock.