SWS: Stockton II: Qualifying notes

Michels Claims Second Southwest Series Bud Pole Award in Final Stockton Show

STOCKTON, CALIF. (July 15, 2006) Rip Michels from San Fernando, Calif. claimed his second career NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Southwest Series Bud Pole award with a quick time of 13.691 second trip around the tight quarter-mile paved of Stockton 99 Speedway Saturday afternoon.

Michels is the current point leader in the Southwest Series and enjoying his best season to date in his three year Southwest Series career. Eric Holmes, Joey Zampa, Eddy McKean, and Sunoco Rookie competitor David Mayhew rounded out the top five qualifiers for the AutoZone "100".

Michels will have his work cut out this evening if he hopes to sweep the racing action as he drew an 8-car invert putting local hotshoe Jeff Belletto on the front row for the 100-lap race. Starting alongside Belletto will be two-time and defending series champion Jim Pettit II who is a crowd favorite at Stockton.

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