Michels Earns Two Victories at Irwindale

Rip Michels intended to take the night off but ended up winning both NASCAR Lucas Oil Super Late Models Twin 50 races Saturday at Irwindale Speedway.

Michels normally competes in the NASCAR Elite Division Southwest Series and makes an occasional appearance at Irwindale, where he was the Super Late Model champion in 2000, 2002 and 2003.

“I didn’t really want to race tonight,” Michels said. “I’ve got four tour races in the next four weeks. I kind of wanted to stay home. A lot of my guys [are] pretty tired. They really weren’t looking forward to this, but they are now.”

Michels said what changed his mind was that his sponsor, Stock Building Supply, was sponsoring a Southwest Series race at Irwindale on Aug. 6 and wanted him to race Saturday to help promote it.

In the first race, Michels started sixth, passed pole-sitter Russell White on the 22nd lap and led the rest of the way. White was second.

Michels started from the pole in the second race and led wire-to-wire to win for the 41st time at Irwindale, increasing his track record. Brian Ickler was second.

-- Steven Herbert