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12-29-2000
Michels ready to take step up
When it comes to building race cars, Rip Michels compares himself to
the likes of Ron Hornaday Jr. and Greg Biffle. Not in talent, mind you. Michels is far too
modest to say he could challenge either driver. Rather, Michels likens his work ethic and
dedication to race-car building to that of NASCAR stars Hornaday and Biffle.
Michels' most recent endeavor is by far his most gutsy, and could prove
to be his most rewarding.
Michels, the 2000 NASCAR Grand American Modified champion at Irwindale
Speedway, will be making the jump to Super Late Model competition in 2001 at the half-mile
oval in the San Gabriel Valley.
And as Hornaday and Biffle did in their short-track days, Michels, with
the help of Chatsworth Machine Center, is building his own stock car: a 2000 Chevy Monte
Carlo.
"The car is my own design," Michels said from his home in
Mission Hills on Wednesday night. "We're working on it as we speak."
Michels has put about $10,000 into the car. He will probably put an
additional $15,000 into it before it ever makes a lap on a race track.
The 2001 Irwindale Speedway schedule has yet to be released, but the
first Super Late Model race is expected in March. Regardless, Michels has already begun
preparing to race and is setting goals for his first year in Super Late Model competition.
"I've been in Modifieds since 1994. It just didn't seem like I
could do any more," Michels said. "At my best, I couldn't do as well as last
year."
Michels dominated the Grand American Modified field last season,
winning 10 of 12 races and running away with the points championship. It was the second
Grand Am title of his career. He won his first while racing at Mesa Marin Raceway in
Bakersfield.
Michels said he doesn't want to put too much pressure on himself in his
first season of Super Late Model racing. He wants to win rookie-of-the-year honors and at
least one race.
"I look at other Modified drivers, Rod Johnson and A.J. Dimarzo,
who moved up,"
Michels said. "I am trying to gauge their success and I want try
to drive similar to them."
Source: Los Angeles Daily News ©
2000, 2001
Edition: Friday 12/29/00
Writer: Tim Haddock |
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