Rip Michels

Rip Michels is an American professional stock car racing driver and crew chief who last competed part-time in the ARCA Menards Series West, driving the No. 71 Ford for Jan's Towing Racing.

Racing career

Michels previously competed in series such as the NASCAR Southwest Series, where he won the championship in the series' final season in 2006, the SRL Spears Southwest Tour Series, the United States Late Model Association, and the Rocky Mountain Challenge Series.
In 2024, it was revealed that Michels would make his debut in the ARCA Menards Series West at Madera Speedway, driving the No. 71 Ford for Jan's Towing Racing. He had previously served as the crew chief for the team, and was a replacement for regular driver Nick Joanides, who was recovering from pneumonia. After placing seventh in the lone practice session, he qualified in tenth and finished on the lead lap in ninth place.