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If you ever get a chance to stop by Rip Michels house in San
Fernando, California, you will see a modest home with a one car
garage attached to the house, and a two car garage in the back of
the house where Rip and the team prepare the racecars. The house,
named Hotel Michels by the crew is always packed with dedicated
team members.
When you go into the living room, you see the countless trophies
that are placed around the mantels. Trophies for wins, Trophy
dashes, Fast Times and Six Championship trophies since 1997, but
of all the trophies and championships that Rip has won, none will
ever match the championship trophy that Rip picked up in Altamont,
CA on September 23, 2006.
To say that the 2006 Nascar AutoZone Elite Southwest Tour
Championship is Rip’s biggest achievement so far in racing would
be an understatement. For as long as Rip could remember, he wanted
to compete in the Southwest Tour. Rip would be in the pits at
Saugus with his Street Stock, watching the legends of the West
Coast Racing compete, guys like Dan Press, Ron Hornaday, and Rick
Carelli would be tearing up the short tracks of the Southwest
Tour, and Rip would dream that one day he would be there competing
too.
Championships are not easily won, they take preparation,
dedication, and a total commitment to achieve. The 2006
championship will go down as the closest points championship in
the twenty-one, and final season for the
Southwest
Tour division. NASCAR is downsizing the tours into the Grand
National Series.
Photo
Courtesy of: Motorshooters
So with this being the last points championship ever for the
Southwest Tour, it added even more pressure to the drivers and
teams. Heading into Altamont Motorsports Park, Rip Michels held an
eleven-point lead in the series championship over second place,
Eric Holmes. The goal for Rip and the team was simple, either out
run Eric, or finish one position behind him.
The day started off with a couple of close calls for the team. An
oil leak from a fellow competitor oiled down the track and Rip
barely missed getting into it. Unfortunately, Rip’s engine
builder, Brad Peters was not so lucky and hit the wall, ending his
bid to compete. A couple of spinning cars in front of Rip during
practice kept the team on their toes. Then as the team was
preparing the car for qualifying, a problem developed with the
carburetor, but the team kept their cool, and Rip was able to
qualify the car in the second position. The fast time would go to
none other than Eric Holmes, the second man in the points. Eric
would pull a six for the invert, and Rip would start next to him,
third row inside. At the drop of the green flag, Rip settled into
the 5th position, content to ride until the last 50 laps of the
150-lap race.
On lap 65 Eric was in the lead with Rip continuing to run 5th. By
lap 100, Eric had fallen in to the 2nd position, while Rip made
his charge. Rip made his way 3rd, while Eric ran 2nd. Rip was
content to ride in that position but with 15 laps left, the
leader, Eddie Mckean was involved in a wreck coming off of turn
four, almost collecting both Eric and Rip. The red flag was
displayed leaving 15 laps remaining in the event.
Eric was in 1st, Rip in 2nd, and Mk Kanke in 3rd. The green flag
was displayed and the three leaders took off for the win. At the
drop of the checkered flag, Rip came home 2nd, right behind winner
Eric Holmes, giving Rip Michels the championship by one point over
Eric.
“We really had a great car tonight,” said Rip “Our car was a lot
better on the long runs so we were a little concerned about the
restart with 15 laps to go. It took our car about 5 laps to come
in, and at the end we were right on Eric’s bumper.”
“Winning this Championship means everything to me. From my early
days in racing this is all I wanted. And now, to have achieved it,
it is the coolest thing ever. I need to thank so many people for
their beliefs, encouragements, and of course, financial and
product support.”
“There are countless people who have helped me throughout my racing
career, every one of them has had a part in helping me achieve my
goals. Most importunately, our team’s goals. I hope that when
everyone sees my name on the championship trophy, they realize
that the name stands for 12 people, my entire team, I love. They
have been right by my side the entire way, and we have achieved
this together. Without them, and the support of their families, we
would not be champions.”
The entire team would like to thank the following sponsors for
their support of the race team.
Stock Building Supply – Rick
Smith, Jim Applemann, Duff Wakefield, Fritz Froerer, Dan Buttars,
and all the associates and contractors throughout the Untied
States.
LEECO – Lee and Susan Ladd,
for their continued support of this race team for the last 10
years. You two are the reason we are here today.
Victory Circle Chassis – Les,
Susan, Scott, and Mark. Thank you for the awesome chassis, and
excellent customer support. You are a big part of this team, and
we thank you.
James Hardie, Trust Joist, PrimeSource,
and USP Structural Connectors- For their continued
support over the past three years.
Ron’s Rear Ends – Ron and
Wendy Zajicek for their many years of friendship and support.
John “Freighttrain” Peters –
John and Brad for the awesome and reliable horsepower, and great
friendship.
DJ Safety – Joe and his entire
staff, thank you for the safety equipment.
Wilwood Disc Brakes – Jeff
Phillips and his entire staff, for the always dependable brakes.
Aurora Rod Ends – John and his
staff, for their excellent service.
Apache Rental Group – Tim
Sweet and his staff for the communications help and “Ez Ups” for
the home improvement show.
Red Line Oil – Kelly and her
staff for all their support.
Quarter Master – Jeff Neal and
his staff for all of the dependable clutches.
Ringers Gloves – Kenny Dolenak
and Larry Naston for their equipment and protection for the team.
Schroeder Torsion Bars – Gary
and Manley for all their help and assistance.
Circle Racing Wheels – Patty
and her staff.
Hy-Lube Systems – Brad and all
his staff
Nakke Suspension Specialist –
Mike Nakke and his staff for their technical support
Total Power Batteries – Ken,
and his staff for the reliable batteries.
Oreme Brothers – Joel and
Jonny for their continued support of the race team with all the
plumbing needs for the car.
BCSportsimages – Bill Coleman
for all his web site help
Work of Art Johnson - Art and
Lori Johnson for their years of continued support.
Without the support of these fine companies, we would not have been
able to achieve this goal. For more information on Rip Michels
Racing, please visit
www.ripmichels.com
Source: LRM Sports Marketing, Inc. |
