Rip Michels and the Stock Building Supply/LADCO Racing/ Victory Circle Chassis/ Chevrolet, ran the gamut of emotions Saturday night in the AutoZone 150 at Irwindale Speedway.
   With the debut of their new Victory Circle Elite chassis, Rip and the crew knew they were going to have a few bugs to work out, they just didn't know to what extent. The day started out with an oil leak that was coming from the Dry Sump tank. “We though we had the problem fixed, but right as practices ended, we had a leak that compared to the Exxon Valdese, we knew we had to fix it” said Rip. “We completely tore apart the dry Sump Tank and had to modify it to get it to work” We barely made it, and almost missed qualifying” said Rip.
   “We chased the chassis most of the day, and felt that the oil leak was part of our problem with the chassis” Said Roger Theabold, Crew Chief. “After we got the Dry Sump issue taken care of, we went with a set up that we wanted to try, and Rip put up one hell of a lap in Qualifying, and ended up in 5th.” Said Roger.
   During the race, Rip was content on riding for the first part of the race, but that changed on lap 72 when Rip inherited the lead. “We knew we had to go” Said Rip.
On lap 105 Rip started to lose his brakes but was able to maintain his lead. Then with 9 laps remaining, a lap car spun right in front of the leaders. “ I tried to get the car slowed down, but with no brakes, I was forced to go high and ended up pan caking the car off the wall,” said Rip.
   “When we restarted the race I went into turn three and the brakes went to the floor, I realized that it was not our day and tried to just stay in the top ten “ said Rip. “ All in All, I thought it was a very good day” Said Michael Medlin, Team Manager.
   “Considering that two and a half weeks ago this car was just a bare chassis, and that this all volunteer team put it together and lead the most laps, plus had the third fastest time of the race, and finished in the top ten, we feel like it was a victory” Said Medlin.
   Rip Agreed, “ This is by far the best crew I have ever been apart of, and that is why we have had the runs we have had, because of this teams dedication and commitment, everyone on this team is the reason for our success” said Rip
   “I also wanted to thank the great fans of Irwindale for their support of the John Wayne Cancer Society Fund Raiser, we raised a bunch of money, and that meant a lot to me” Said Rip.
   You can get more information about Rip and his sponsors at http://www.ripmichels.com