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RACINGWEST.COM Q&A
Source: RacingWest Media Relations / Janet Peery
Date: 07/29/2007
Rip Michels took time out from his job, working on race cars and oh yea... winning races to set aside some time to talk to RacingWest...OK, OK...I know every racer is working hard at work and on the race car...but is every racer as candid as the Ripper? Over the next few months RW hopes to find out...but in the meantime...let’s find out what Rip is thinking these days, shall we?
Crew Chief: John Schuetze (a.k.a. Jr or Cowboy)
Car Owner: Bob Bruncati
RacingWest: Rip, you are winning more often than not, do you still get excited with each win or is it business as usual?
Rip Michels: Big time! They all feel special. In fact, the more we win the more pressure I feel to keep it up. It's the one thing that repays the crew for all their hard work.
RW: Would you consider sharing at least one of your secrets that might help some of the guys that are struggling with setups get around the track better?
RM: UH…NO! hahaha Well I think it all comes down to having
good people and equipment. When I started racing I had junk equipment and no
crew. I got smoked! Now I try very hard to keep up on the newest stuff and keep
my crew happy. JACK & COKE.
RW: What do you think of full-field inverts? And would you feel differently if there was a full-field invert at every race?
RM: Inverts are important for short track racing and they are
fun to watch. Full-Field every week? Nah… I think it needs to be changed up
every week. 6 one week 10 the next and 16 once in a while, no sandbagging. Straight
up starts are not good for the show.
RW: What do you like most about the NASCAR All-American Series?
RM:It gives the local weekly racer a chance to compete for
state and national championships. I've had the privileged to win a few NASCAR
championships and the way NASCAR takes care of there champions is second to
none. Nashville and New York are banquet trips that my wife and crew will never
forget. Ask her about Dale Jr's girlfriend at a New York nightclub at 3.00am.
RW: Anything you would like to see changed?
RM: I don't know…Maybe some bonus points for winning, qualifying
and passing. Regardless whoever wins the national title in 2007 will be well
deserved and had a great year. I'm going with Steve Carlson as the favorite.
He's so good and he wins everywhere.
RW: This might be a bit personal…but what the heck…I am nosey…how
come you were going to run the SRL and then didn't? I know you and Steve Fensler
(owner of the SRL) are friendly… any hope of seeing you run it next year…or
at least some races?
RM: The SLM at Irwindale has been a priority and we just haven't
had the time & money to run the SRL car. Yeah, I hope to run a few at the new
Bakersfield track. The SRL cars are my personal favorite as a fan and driver.
It is so sad that the fans and drivers don't get the opportunity to compete
at Irwindale. I tried really hard with my sponsor STOCK (put up some purse money)
to get a race at Irwindale in 2006 & 2007 but couldn't make it happen. We almost
had a Race and Home Show set for November 2007 but it fell though.
RW: Are you going to be at that first late model race at
the new Mesa Marin?
RM: I hope so. I'm working on putting something together to
run both Irwindale & Bakersfield. I think those 2 tracks will have an impact
on the NASCAR Whelan national championship
RW: When you look in the crystal ball who do you see winning
that first Late Model race there?
RM:That's wide open, Mike Duncan, Bill Sedgwick, Kevin Vernon,
The Richardson's, Huddleson, Todd Burns, Brain Kelly or maybe… Kevin Harvick?
I just want to be part of that first night; it's going to be awesome.
RW: Will you be competing at both tracks in 2008…Irwindale
and the new Mesa?
RM:It's looking good so far and hopefully I'm driving a green
car again as well as the blue and orange Ford.
RW: What is your absolute favorite thing about Irwindale?
RM: Location, Location, Location! It's great having friends
and family at the track. It's also the coolest track to race on and by far the
nicest in the country. We're very lucky to have a track like this in our backyard…Thanks
Mr. Williams.
RW: If you were the track manager at Irwindale and not a
driver…who would be the first to get a raise for a job well done?
RM: HMMM? The officials take a lot of grief; Mike, Lee and
the rest of the officials work hard and do the best they can to make it fair
and fun for all competitors. I think they need a raise…now! Then all the race
teams need a raise too, but that might be asking for to much.
Since I'm the manager?? Top 10
1. I would bring in a few SRL/Tour STOCK Home Show race, the fans deserve
to see these guys race. Maybe a pit stop race too. Watching Huddleson and
Me win all the time isn't enough.
2. Then when the SRL/ Tour is there put Hornaday, Gilliland, Harvick or Kyle
Busch in my back-up car. Gilliland and Busch already said they want to do
it. Now that would sell tickets.
3. Bring back the IMCA/Grand American Modifieds
4. Bring in a Dirt Late model show on asphalt @ Irwindale. Oh-YEAH!
5. Bus races.
6. Super modifieds
7. Winged Sprint cars
8. Real 4 car… 4 lap… trophy dashes for all divisions, just like back in the
day.
9. Trophy Girls…My crew misses them
10. Promote, I think promoter need to find new ways to get the fans back.
RW: What do you miss most about the NASCAR Southwest Tour?
RM: EVERYTHING! All my heroes raced the tour, Dan Press, Ron
Hornaday and Jim Thrikettle and the west series just doesn't have that same
feel to it. I really miss PIR…The travel… The competition… Those 3 years on
the tour was the toughest racing I've ever done. Racing Jim Pettit, Craig Raudman,
Eric Holmes, Eddy McKean and Greg Pursley made me a better racer.
RW: Are you planning on competing in any open comp style
races over the winter?
RM: Most likely not, except the Showdown and maybe Vegas in
the SLM in November. It all comes down to funding.
RW: Do you think any members on your team have a secret desire
to date Paris Hilton? Why?
RM: MY Team??? Paris would have a great time with my crew…If
you know her give her Medlin's phone # and they'll show her a great time. I
promise!
RW: If you had a check for a million dollars but had to give
it all to charity…which one charity would you give it to?
RM: The Tony Hawk foundation. Giving kids a place to have fun
and play outside, besides I love skate parks. Kids need to get off the computer
and away from the TV. The Gates foundation too.
RW: Thanks for answering the questions… and congratulations
on your very successful season.
RM: Hey…What about my Sponsors? Sunrise Ford: Bob & Maureen
Bruncati for letting me drive their car. Lee Ladd @ Turbo Torq, Brad Peters:
I got lots of HP, Ron for the nice gears, Victory Circle: the chassis is superb
and handles so good on the bottom grove. Ken @ Total Power batteries. Mike Naake
for the great advice, Schroeder torsion bars, Jeff @ Wilwood. Eric @ Circle
Wheels. The Orme Bothers and Brown & Miller for the primo hoses. Aurora bearings,
Tim @ Apache Rentals and of course my great CREW.
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