Phil Bonifeld is a former owner/driver in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and Busch Series. Bonifeld began his racing carer in 1973, when began competeing in BMX bicycles. Racing across the United States, he won several championships from 1979 to 1983. In 1987, he moved to go-karts, where he raced against Kevin Harvick and Casey Mears, before competing part-time in the NASCAR Elite Division Featherlite Southwest Series in 1991.