(Photo: T.J. Michael getting set for action – TGP Credit)
Season Review: Michael celebrates career year
By Fully Injected Motorsports:
FREMONT, Ohio (October 4, 2018) – Despite a non-racing related injury ending his season almost two months ahead of schedule, the ‘Texas Traveler’ T.J. Michael will enter the off-season with plenty of positive momentum, celebrating what was arguably a career year for the Texan in 2018.
Michael, driver of the Advanced Cast Stone/Fremont Fence Company/Crown Battery/Kear’s Speed Shop/Hinchman Suits/Big D’s Pizza of Fremont and Clyde/Kistler Racing Engines/Maxim Chassis/Wood Heating & Air Conditioning/Pro Tech Service Company/Wings Unlimited/Shell Shock/Fully Injected Motorsports/No. 8M sprint car, showed promise not only on the local circuit, but also during competition with some of the best in the business, accumulating top-five and top-ten finishes during Ohio Valley Sprint Car Association (OVSCA), FAST Series, and All Star Circuit of Champions starts.
Attica Raceway Park and Fremont Speedway, a pair of dirt tracks certainly synonymous with sprint car competition in northwest Ohio, were each regular destinations for the ‘Texas Traveler’ in 2018. Frequent appearances equaled positive results for Michael which included a sixth place finish at Fremont on May 26, a runner-up finish during FAST Series action at Attica on June 29, followed by another FAST Series top-ten at Fremont one night later. Fremont Speedway was especially good to Michael, accumulating another top-ten against the FAST regulars on July 7.
Michael’s abilities were not just limited to the confines of northwest Ohio. In fact, Michael highlighted the early segment of his season with a pair of top-ten finishes during OVSCA action at Hilltop Speedway and Wayne County Speedway on May 11 & 12, respectively. Like Attica and Fremont, Michael was a frequent flyer at Wayne County, actually tying his best finish of the season during action at ‘Orrville’s Historic Oval’ on August 25 – a second place performance from row four.
Despite a runner-up finish equaling Michael’s best result of the season, it was his performance against the All Star Circuit of Champions during the Sharon Speedway visit of Ohio Sprint Speedweek that attracted the most attention. In spectacular fashion, Michael turned a sixth row starting position into a sixth place finish, ultimately bettering most of the local, regional and national talent on hand. Speaking of national talent, Michael qualified for the Brad Doty Classic main event at Attica Raceway Park in mid-July. There were 50 entrants on hand of the World of Outlaws program; Michael was scored 19th.
Even during instances when Michael was not top-ten material, the Texas transplant, who headquarters his racing operation in Fremont, Ohio, was still battling forward, rallying multiple positions during feature competition on a regular basis.
Perhaps the best example of Michael’s ability to rally was his Pete Jacobs Memorial performance against the All Star Circuit of Champions over Labor Day weekend. Michael advanced from row 12 to finish 13th against the regional travelers, making the best of his evening after being forced to compete in the program’s consolation B-main.
Other examples of perseverance include Michael’s charge from 19th to finish eighth at Attica on June 1, followed by a rebound from row nine to finish tenth at Fremont Speedway the following evening.
“It was a fantastic year for our team. It’s a shame things had to end sooner than planned. We had a lot more circled on our schedule. Regardless, we are very proud of what we have accomplished,” Michael said regarding his 2018 season. “I owe all of my accomplishments to my dedicated partners, crew, and family. Without their help and support, our car would be parked. Everyone plays an important role and I’m truly grateful for their help. Hopefully we can keep this momentum going as next season approaches. We want to pick up right where we left off.”
An upcoming agenda remains uncertain for Michael. If things fall according to plan, the ‘Texas Traveler’ will hit the road more often in 2019, mixing local competition with periodic starts against the All Star Circuit of Champions and World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series.
“We haven’t quite nailed down a plan of attack yet, but we’ll work on that in the coming months,” Michael continued. “I think we have a lot of potential. We raced with the All Stars in the past, but since backed away to get our program figured out. I’m excited to see the improvements and it makes being at the track a lot more fun. We’ll work hard this winter and get everything into shape.”
SPECIAL THANKS:
T.J. Michael and Michael Motorsports would like to thank all of their current marketing partners including: Advanced Cast Stone, Fremont Fence Company, Crown Battery, Kear’s Speed Shop, Hinchman Suits, Big D’s Pizza of Fremont and Clyde, Kistler Racing Engines, Maxim Chassis, Wood Heating & Air Conditioning, Pro Tech Service Company, Wings Unlimited, Shell Shock, and Fully Injected Motorsports.
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Keep up with T.J. Michael during his entire campaign right here at the official online home of Fully Injected Motorsports – www.FullyInjected.com. Be sure to follow Michael on all of the available social media networks including Twitter: @TJMichael8.
STATS:
2016 Highlights: Earned a pair of top-ten finishes on June 10/11 with FAST Series and Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions. Michael finished fifth with FAST on Friday, June 10, at Attica Raceway Park, followed by a sixth place finish at Butler Speedway in Butler, Michigan, with Arctic Cat All Stars on Saturday, June 11.
2017 Highlights: Finished ninth during Attica Raceway Park season opener on Friday, March 24. Earned B-main victory on Saturday, June 3, at Mercer Raceway Park in Mercer, Pennsylvania. Earned top-ten finish (8th) at Macon (IL) Speedway on Saturday, June 10. Charged from 26th to finish 12th at Wayne County Speedway on Monday, June 19, during Ohio Sprint Speedweek. Earned top-ten finish (8th) at Orange County (NY) Fair Speedway on Saturday, July 29.
2018 Highlights: Earned a pair of top-ten finishes with OVSCA on Friday and Saturday, May 11-12; fifth at Hilltop Speedway (Millersburg, Ohio) and seventh at Wayne County (Ohio) Speedway. Earned top-ten (6th) finish with FAST Series at Fremont Speedway on Saturday, May 26. Charged from 19th to finish eighth at Attica on Friday, June 1, followed by a charge from 18th to finish 10th at Fremont on Saturday, June 2. Rallied from 12th to sixth during All Star/Speedweek A-main at Sharon Speedway on June 19. Advanced from 18th to 12th during Atomic Speedway/Speedweek make-up feature on June 23. Finished second during FAST action at Attica on June 29. Battled from 15th to eighth during FAST action at Fremont on June 30. Finished seventh at Fremont Speedway during FAST action on July 7. Joined the World of Outlaws and qualified for the Brad Doty Classic main event and finished 19th (50 cars). Rallied from 19th to finish 12th at Attica Raceway Park on Friday, July 27. Finished fifth at Fremont Speedway on Saturday, July 28. Charged from eighth to finish second at Wayne County Speedway on August 25. Highlighted Labor Day weekend with a charge from 23rd to 13th at Wayne County Speedway.
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CONTACT:
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