FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
John Mickel, #09 FKTeacher.com/RS CAPP Chevy Monte Carlo driver & 2001 English SCSA Champion, Provides Dramatic 1st finish for South Africa, England & Stock Car Racing History
(January 31, 2010) – John Mickel, 2001 ASCAR & Legends World English racing champion, makes world motorsports history today – a first for England, South Africa & American-style stock car racing by taking the checker at the historic inaugural Freestate 500 at Phakisa Freeway in Welkom, South Africa.
Mickel, born in Cambridge and now living in West Sussex, England, started the weekend strong in both practice & qualifying, impressing his American, Australian & South African competitors by qualifying fourth-fastest 36.643 on Friday in the car fielded by Dick Midgely Motorsports from Victoria, B.C. He ran competitively from the race inception, running in the top 5 for the majority of the race. Overall, Mickel led 5 1/4 laps in the race, with a best time of 37.010 in the #09 FKTeacher.com/RS Capp Chevy. He finished in 1st place overall and dominated the winner’s podium.
Going green with 25 laps to go, Mickel found himself in fifth place with Geoff Bodine heading the group. A push to the finish line with no fuel, race leader Geoff Bodine headed towards the garage with three to go. Mickel, attached to #90 Toni McCray’s bumper after passing Marc Davis, pulled past the #90 McCray Motorsports Chevy in a dramatic last lap push in a high line around the back stretch of turn 4.
“What better birthday present, turning 39 years old while I’m here at the first race ever in South Africa,” said Mickel. “It’s a great honour to represent England for her first win in American-style stock car racing history.”
“I’m pleased I’ve maintained a superior level of fitness - it was critical in conquering an amazing battle between several seasoned top 5 drivers in a long, hot 207 laps on a 1.5 mile punishing, challenging track,” Mickel continued. The Phakisa Freeway oval, coincidentally, was modelled after Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s 1.5 mile oval – known by many top NASCAR drivers as a gruelling track.
“We came here with a firm goal of competing regularly at the NASCAR level, and this has given us a tremendous platform to launch that effort & also help demonstrate that I have the talent & ability to perform at that level,” Mickel continued. “Without help from the FKTeacher.com & RS CAPP family, we wouldn’t be here today in the winner’s circle.”
For more information about the historic race and other finishes, visit www.asa-racing.com.
ABOUT JOHN MICKEL:
Mickel was the first SCSA (Stock Car Speed Association) champion in 2001, & in 2002 he ventured over to the U.S. to try his hand at American stock car racing. He has competed in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series with Bobby Hamilton Racing, ASA National Series events, Lowe’s Motor Speedway events & English oval tracks – finishing with lead lap, top 10 finishes. For more information, visit www.TorqueSpeed.com.
ABOUT DICK MIDGELY MOTORSPORTS:
NASCAR/ASA Car Owner Dick Midgley is no stranger to international motorsports, with several Australian International races under his belt – running the last 5 years of NASCAR Series racing in Australia. He has several oval & road course race wins, plus championship trophies & numerous awards.
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