Tim Goulet Bio
Tim Goulet (born November 13, 1981) is an American professional stock car racing driver, crew chief, and team owner. He most recently competed part-time in the ARCA Menards Series West, driving the No. 31 Toyota for Rise Motorsports, the team he co-founded. In addition to his driving duties, Goulet has built a reputation behind the scenes as a pit crew member, car chief, and crew chief for several NASCAR and ARCA-affiliated teams.
Beyond the cockpit, Goulet is known for combining his mechanical training with hands-on team leadership. His career path from local dirt tracks in Wisconsin to a national touring series reflects the journey of many grassroots racers who rely on perseverance, family support, and technical skill to reach higher levels of competition.
Early Life and Background
Timothy Goulet was born on November 13, 1981, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Growing up in the Midwest, he was surrounded by a strong short-track racing culture that has long defined the region. From a young age, he showed interest in mechanical work and motorsports, interests that would later shape his career path.
Goulet first became interested in stock car racing after attending NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series events at the Milwaukee Mile, a historic oval located near his hometown. Inspired by the speed and atmosphere of those races, he began competing in late models at various local dirt tracks throughout Wisconsin. Those early weekends on small ovals helped him develop the race craft, car control, and mechanical understanding that would later support his transition to higher-profile events.
He later pursued formal training and became an industrial mechanic, a credential that gave him a deep understanding of chassis setup, engine work, and vehicle dynamics. This technical background became a defining asset once he moved into professional racing operations.
Path to NASCAR
After completing his mechanical training, Goulet relocated with his family to North Carolina, the hub of NASCAR and ARCA teams in the United States. The move marked a major step in his career, allowing him to work directly with established race shops and learn the operations of national touring teams.
He was first employed by Mike Harmon Racing, where he served in multiple roles, including pit crew member, car chief, and eventually crew chief. Working across these positions gave him a comprehensive view of race-day operations, from tire and fuel strategy to in-race adjustments and driver communication. He later worked with MBM Motorsports and Jesse Iwuji Motorsports, broadening his experience with different car builders, engineers, and driver lineups.
In 2022, Goulet decided to take the next step and formed his own team, Rise Motorsports, alongside fellow driver Rita Thomason. The team made its debut at the ARCA Menards Series race at the Milwaukee Mile, with Thomason behind the wheel of the No. 31 Chevrolet. The car finished 25th after suffering engine issues, but the event marked the beginning of Rise Motorsports as a competitive operation.
Tim Goulet Career
Early Career
Goulet’s early professional experience was built behind the scenes. His time with Mike Harmon Racing, MBM Motorsports, and Jesse Iwuji Motorsports allowed him to develop into a versatile crew chief and team leader. Working at this level of competition gave him direct exposure to the demands of national touring events, including long race weekends, strict technical inspections, and the logistics of traveling across the country with a race team.
These years also helped him establish relationships with drivers, sponsors, and engine builders that would later support his transition from crew member to team owner. His experience as a crew chief, in particular, gave him insight into race strategy, car setup philosophy, and driver feedback loops that continue to inform his own approach behind the wheel.
ARCA Menards Series Breakthrough
Goulet made his ARCA Menards Series driving debut in 2023 at Berlin Raceway, behind the wheel of the No. 31 Chevrolet for Rise Motorsports. He finished 12th in the event, although he ended the race multiple laps down. The start represented a significant personal milestone, giving him the chance to compete as a driver in a national touring series after years of working in supporting roles.
His ARCA Menards Series East campaign also began in 2023, with his first start coming at the Bush’s Beans 200 at Bristol Motor Speedway. He continued to make select East Series starts through 2025, including an appearance at Rockingham. Across his ARCA national and East starts, Goulet has primarily focused on gaining seat time and learning the nuances of larger ovals and varying track types.
Rise Motorsports Era
With Rise Motorsports now established, Goulet has continued to balance his roles as a driver, crew chief, and team owner. The team fields the No. 31 Toyota in the ARCA Menards Series West, where Goulet made his series debut at Tucson. He has also made appearances in the ARCA Menards Series East and the main ARCA Menards Series, giving the team a presence across multiple ARCA platforms.
Operating a multi-series team while still driving part-time requires a wide range of skills, from managing logistics and budgets to communicating with drivers and crews on race day. Goulet’s background as a crew chief and mechanic has allowed Rise Motorsports to operate with a hands-on, technical approach. In 2026, Goulet was indefinitely suspended by ARCA due to an outstanding warrant filed against him, which paused his competitive activity with the sanctioning body.
Driving Style and Strengths
Goulet’s driving style reflects his technical background. He is methodical in his approach to race craft, leaning on his experience as a crew chief to communicate clearly with his team about handling and setup. His comfort on short tracks and mid-sized ovals, developed through years of late-model racing, has translated well to the ARCA platform, where consistency and clean execution often determine the final outcome.
Notable Races and Milestones
One of the defining milestones of Goulet’s career came at Berlin Raceway in 2023, when he made his ARCA Menards Series debut with Rise Motorsports. His first ARCA Menards Series West start at Tucson and his return to the Milwaukee Mile with his own team also stand out as signature moments that connect his Wisconsin roots with his professional career.
Tim Goulet Career Wins
Tim Goulet has competed in the ARCA Menards Series, the ARCA Menards Series East, and the ARCA Menards Series West without recording a victory at the national or regional level. His focus has remained on building his team, gaining seat time, and developing consistency across a variety of track types. As both a driver and a team owner, his results reflect a long-term approach to growth rather than a single-season championship push.
ARCA Menards Series Highlights
Goulet’s ARCA Menards Series efforts have centered on select part-time starts with Rise Motorsports. His debut at Berlin Raceway in 2023 marked his first national ARCA appearance, and he has continued to make starts in the series since then. His best season finish in the ARCA Menards Series came in 2025, when he ended the year 32nd in the final standings.
Other Wins and Performances
In the ARCA Menards Series East, Goulet has made occasional starts, with his best championship result being 55th in 2023. His ARCA Menards Series West campaign has been brief, with his best result in the standings coming in 2025. Earlier in his career, he competed in late models on local dirt tracks, where he built the foundation for his move into national-level stock car racing.
Tim Goulet Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Tim Goulet’s family life has been closely tied to his racing career. His move to North Carolina was made with his family, and his wife, Rita Goulet, is also a part-time ARCA competitor. The couple met in early 2022 and married on January 1, 2023. They have worked together through Rise Motorsports, combining their driving and operational roles within the same team.
Personal Life
Tim Goulet is married to Rita Goulet, formerly known as Rita Thomason, who also races part-time in the ARCA Menards Series. Together, they have built Rise Motorsports into a multi-series operation. Goulet also has a son from a previous marriage. The family has been central to his racing journey, from the relocation to North Carolina to the formation of his own team. On March 21, 2026, it was announced that the couple was divorcing.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season saw Tim Goulet balancing driving duties with his responsibilities as a team owner at Rise Motorsports. He made appearances in the ARCA Menards Series, including a start in the Allen Crowe 100 at Springfield, while also expanding the team’s footprint into the ARCA Menards Series East with an entry at Rockingham. In addition, he debuted in the ARCA Menards Series West at Tucson, driving the No. 31 Toyota.
His best championship result of the season came in the main ARCA Menards Series, where he finished 32nd in the final standings. The West Series campaign also wrapped up with a 59th-place result, reflecting the part-time nature of his schedule. Across the three ARCA platforms, the season provided valuable seat time and data for Rise Motorsports heading into future campaigns.
Looking ahead, Goulet’s focus is expected to remain on growing Rise Motorsports and continuing to develop as a driver. The team’s presence across multiple ARCA series gives them flexibility to test setups, evaluate drivers, and build long-term competitiveness. Despite the challenges of running a small team, the 2025 season positioned Rise Motorsports for additional opportunities in the seasons to come.