TJ Michael Concludes All Star Season At Eldora Speedway

Story By: TYLER ALTMEYER / MICHAEL MOTORSPORTS – FREMONT, OH – With his second, full season with the Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions officially in the books, the “Texas Traveler” T.J. Michael will now turn his attention forward and begin the rebuilding process for 2018. Michael will regroup at his Texas home before returning to his Fremont, Ohio, race shop later this winter.

“It was a long, tough season, but I’m glad we were able to battle through it and accomplish some of our goals,” Michael explained. “I’m proud of what we were able to accomplish. I can’t thank my crew and my family enough for their hard work and dedication. We had some people join us on and off this season and I’m thankful for their help, as well. I think we finished a little below our potential in 2017, but I think that is the common thought process among any team. We want to win every time we are on the race track.”

T.J. Michael wrapped up his 2017 Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions campaign seventh in the Series driver standings, earning a pair of top-ten finishes in 28 feature starts. A major highlight in 2017 was an eighth place finish at Macon Speedway in Macon, Illinois, in early June. It was Michael’s first-ever visit to the Illinois bullring, bettering most of the 31 cars in attendance. The “Texas Traveler” also finished eighth at the Orange County (NY) Fair Speedway in late-July. Like Macon, it was his first-ever visit to the southern New York facility.

“I can’t thank all of those who helped make this season possible. To be a full-time racer is a dream come true,” said Michael. “I have a great group of supporters who stood behind me the entire season. They believed in me and pushed me even when things were at their worst. I’m confident we’ll come back next year better than ever and repay them with a visit to victory lane.”

As of now, Michael has no permanent plans for 2018. A potential game plan will be put together in the coming weeks leading up to the Arctic Cat All Star banquet in Indianapolis during PRI2017.