Source: NASCAR Public Relations
Date: 08/12/2006

IRWINDALE, CALIF. (August 12, 2006) Rip Michels from San Fernando, Calif. finally accomplished what he has set out to do for many years, and that was to win on the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Southwest Series. Michels claimed the victory in the Stock Building Supply "100" at Irwindale (CA) Speedway Saturday night in front of more than 5,000 enthusiastic race fans. Greg Pursley, the 2004 NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series National Champion finished second with Eric Holmes, Thomas Martin, and Eddy McKean rounding out the top five finishers in the event.

Michels battled former two-time series champion Jim Pettit II for the lead over the opening laps as the two exchanged the lead multiple times. Michels finally assumed the lead for good on lap eight and never looked back. Michels also extended his point to eleven markers over Holmes heading into the race at Colorado National Speedway next Saturday night. McKean falls one position to third just eleven points behind Holmes. M.K. Kanke maintains the fourth position while Sunoco rookie leader David Mayhew moves up to fifth in the standings after an eleventh place effort.

Greg Pursley claimed his eighth career Bud Pole Award early in the evening with a quick lap of 18.035 seconds/99.806 mph around the lightning fast half-mile paved oval. Pursley drew a 6-car invert placing Holmes and Pettit on the front row to start the event. Pettit earned the $300 Featherlite Award for improving the most positions over the previous race (12), while Darrell LaMoure earned the $750 PowerAde Award for improving the most positions in the race (11). Brandon Loverock was the top finishing Sunoco rookie competitor while Mayhew extended his rookie point lead to 12-points over Loverock.

The next event for the Southwest Series is next Saturday night August 19, 2006 at Colorado National Speedway in the annual running of the United Power/Touchstone Energy "150" in a special combination event with the Midwest Series.

See Also .:

News Index | E-mail to a Friend