When the 2008 racing season approached, Rip Michels and his team had high hopes of running selected SRL and Super Late Model events around the country. The eight time Champion was looking forward to picking the high profile races to compete in, as a way of new challenges for himself and the team. But as most of us in racing know, when the economy goes south, so does the budgets of sponsors.
This was no different for Rip’s five-year sponsor, Stock Building Supply. They, like most companies in America today, had to cut back. They could only commit to one race for the year. So with only one committed race, Rip went to work for Dan Moore as his team manager and chassis consultant in the highly competitive Super Late Model Division at Toyota Speedway. Dan led the points for the early part of the season, and finished third in the season points standing.
During the 2008 season, Rip and his team debuted a new Victory Circle car with a motor supplied by Dan More, and built by Brad “Freighttrain” Peters in the last race for the 2008 SLM division at Toyota Speedway. The result was the fastest qualifying lap of the season with a lap time of 18.059, and a pair of wins, bringing Rip’s total all time win record at Toyota Speedway to 57 victories.
During the off season, Rip was not sure if he would have the funding to run in the prestigious Toyota All Star Event which will be held January 23 –24, 2009, at Toyota Speedway. This is a race that will bring the best Short track racers throughout the country to compete in the Super Late Model division.
Rip and the team’s Christmas wish came early as Rick Smith of Stock Building Supply and Andersen Door & Windows were able to get a one-race deal sponsorship for this prestigious event.
Rip and his team saw a window of opportunity to hopefully gain exposure in this event to land sponsorships for the up coming 2009 season, or find an owner who is looking to win races and championships.
“Racing is a funny business,” said Rip. “Early in my career when I had no money to race, I would run a limited amount of races during the year. I started racing in 1988, but my first full time season of running for a championship was 1996. Thanks to the help of long time friend and sponsor Lee Ladd, that year I was able to compete fulltime. A year later in 1997, our team won its first championship at Mesa Marin Raceway. Back then, just like today, I just wanted to have an opportunity to race with my team, be competitive, and bring exposure to my sponsors or an owner that wanted to win…Some things never change”
“I am excited, and extremely thankful to Rick Smith, Dan Moore, and of course all the people associated with Stock Building Supply and Andersen Windows. With NASCAR star and good friend David Gilliand competing in the car, my team and I built and won the 2007 SLM championship. Along with Truck series champion Ron Hornaday coming to race, and a host of great drivers throughout the Untied States, it may be the best race of the year. Even more exciting is that it will be televised live on Speed Channel Friday January 23, 2008 @ 7:30 PST for all the fans to see. It will be a great race,” commented Rip
For more information on Rip Michels and his Sponsors, please visit www.ripmichels.com
