Michael Shank Racing

Mike Shank first started racing professionally in 1989, and quickly made a name for himself, earning notice as the SCCA-Ohio Valley Region Novice Driver of the Year. He didn’t lose any momentum as he moved up the ladder, taking the 1996 Toyota Atlantic C2 Championship before moving up to race in the Indy Racing League.

As he gained winning experience in the car, he put that knowledge to work as his team expanded to run other drivers and Shank eventually retired as a driver to focus on running and growing his team.

Competing in the Champ Car Toyota Atlantic Championship, Michael Shank Racing flourished with drivers like Kenny Wilden, Sam Hornish Jr., and Johnny Rutherford finding success with the team. Wilden scored runner-up in the 1999 Toyota Atlantic Championship, and Shank won "Team Owner of the Year" twice in four years before deciding to move his team into a new direction and the Rolex Sports Car Series in 2004.

Shank, who himself had one start as a driver in the Rolex 24 at Daytona, oversaw his teams adroit adaptation to the rigors of endurance racing, as the team led the first race they entered and finished on the podium in the second.

With multiple podium trophies on the mantle in the Columbus, Ohio, shop, Shank is focused on taking his team to the next level in 2006, with a full-time stable of two cars, and with a talented stable of drivers piloting cars prepared by a loyal and professional crew, he is likely to continue to grow the legacy of the team.

30-plus national victories in Formula Ford, Formula Continental, Sports 2000 and Formula Atlantic competition

1999 - KOOL/Toyota Atlantic Championship Car Owner of the Year
1999 - United States Road Racing Championship (USRRC), Can-Am Division. Co-drove a Intersport Racing Lola T98/10 in Rolex 24 at Daytona with Jon Fields, Sam Hornish Jr., and Ryan Jones. Qualified eighth and finished 42nd following mechanical problems
1997 - Indy Racing League (IRL), qualified 25th and finished 13th in the Las Vegas 500 with Neinhouse Motorsports
1996 - Champion, C2 Division, Player’s/Toyota Atlantic Championship
1989 - SCCA-Ohio Valley Region Novice Driver of the Year

Team owner Mike Shank says he simply couldn’t have done it without his wife Marybeth, who not only helped to support Mike when he was still driving, but also keeps everything running smoothly on a day-to-day basis for the growing team. She is also a full partner with Mike in the operation, and shares both the risks and rewards that come with running a top-line professional race team.

Wise, who worked as Crew Chief at Truesports in IndyCar competition also took wins in Toyota Atlantics with drivers Kenny Wilden and Martin Basso, and has converted his knowledge quickly as the team made the move into Rolex racing. Never satisfied no matter how fast the car is, Wise is a driving force in the Michael Shank Racing effort in his current role as Technical Director for the team.

When he’s not working on making race cars go faster, Wise still keeps speed as part of his activities, as he enjoys boating and is a big motorcycle enthusiast.

Kanning first worked with Michael Shank Racing on the Toyota Altantics effort in 1999, winning races with the young Sam Hornish, Jr. The next season, he fulfilled a lifelong dream and working as an engineer in the European formula car ranks with future Formula 1 driver Christian Klien. Kanning returned to Michael Shank Racing in 2001 and was an assistant engineer for Marting Basso before engineering Sepp Koster in 2002. He worked with Dale Wise in 2004 on the #6 Daytona Prototype effort, and is now responsible for working with Oswaldo Negri and Mark Patterson in the #60 Flight Options machine.

Jeff graduated from the Ohio State University with a degree in mechanical engineering, and put it to use right away working for a Trans-Am team. From there, he moved to Newman-Haas in the Champ Car ranks in 2001, taking a championship with Da Matta in 2002 and Bourdais in 2004. Jeff then moved to Rahal-Letterman racing, where he worked with (as did Don Hutchings) Danica Patrick in her rookie IRL season, taking Indy 500 Rookie of the Year honors.

Jeff joined MSR in 2006, and when he isn’t pouring over data, enjoys playing drums, a little bit of guitar, and has an eye for art. You’ll find Jeff on the war wagon during the races, keeping track of all the incoming data and a close eye on fuel strategy.

A former pro bike racer, Peterson helps to keep the wheels on the team running smoothly as team coordinator. You will find Peterson on the war wagon on race day up with Wise, Shank, Kanning, and Schaffner as they work on pit strategy and keep a watchful eye on the telemetry. No stranger to working under pressuer, Peterson used to be a spotter in the IRL.

Darin Pigg, crew chief for the #6 Michael Shank Racing Ford-Riley, is one of Mike Shank’s most loyal employees, having originally started with the team in 1992, sweeping the floor of the teams old shop before getting the chance to work on the cars himself. Once he did, he was quickly tabbed to take over the crew chief position in 1997, heading up the Toyota Atlantic Championship effort for Johnny Rutherford III, and took his first win in the position in 1999 as crew chief for Sam Hornish Jr.

Pigg has also worked in the Champ Car ranks, having worked for the Forsythe organization before rejoining MSR in 2002.

The switch to Rolex racing has given Pigg the chance to do something he never could in Atlantics-leap over the wall during the pit stops, where he changes the left front tire and is responsible for the windscreen and checking the radiators during ever stop.

"I love pit stops more than anything," says Pigg. "You are completely focused on what is right in front of you, and when the car pulls out after you and the crew got everything done right and fast, it’s the best feeling."

Lohr has been with the team since 2000, and without him, the team simply couldn’t race because as the head of transportation for the team, he’s the one who gets the cars there. His job doesn’t end with pulling up to a race track, either, as he is responsible for all the pit equipment and the often difficult logistical challenges that come up during the race weekend. Its not break time for Ralf once the green flag flies, either, as he dons the fireproof suit and prepares for another role he plays as the refueler on the #6 Pontiac/Riley Mears Motor Coach Machine. Quick with a joke but seriously well prepared, Ralf puts in both the miles and the time as part of the Michael Shank Racing effort.

Hutchings worked with Michael Shank Racing in Toytota Atlantic competition for several seasons. In 2003, Hutchings joined the Rahal Atlantic effort as crew chief for Danica Patrick and served once again in her second season in the category in 2004.

He made the move up with the famous rookie in 2005 as she moved into the Indy Racing League, and rejoined the Shank organization to oversee the second Daytona Prototype effort for Oswaldo Negri and Mark Patterson.

Hutchings savored the victory at Miller Motorsports Park in 2006, but the long time race team member knows that everyone is working flat out for wins in the competitive Rolex ranks, and the Ohio resident is looking forward to the challenge of 2007.

A fitness fanatic and former resident of New Mexico, Russ is one serious guy. Working with Patterson and Negri preparing the No. 60 Ford-Riley, there isn't a detail that escapes this long time race team member. Russ goes over the wall on the No. 60 car pit stops, and is the guy who fives the driver the wave-out from the pits no matter what session all weekend. When it comes to the 60 car, the buck stops here.

Leiter is another long-time employee with Michael Shank Racing, having first worked with the team in 1998 in Toyota Atlantics competition. Working as the second mechanic for Kenny Wilden, John Rutherford, Bruno St-Jacques, and Ted Sahley, Lieter has a wide range of experience under his belt, from working with composites to race-prepping sprint and endurance race cars. When he does get a break from the action in the winter, you’ll often find him running his own races on his snowmobile.

Justin joined the team in 2005 as a mechanic on the No. 6 Playboy Racing/Mears Motor Coach Ford-Riley. On race day, you will see Justin taking on one of the most important jobs in the pits as he works with Ian James and John Pew to make sure that the driver changes are done as quickly and safely as possible.

Dave has been with MSR since 1991 and is the right side tire changer on the No. 60 car. A full time firefighter and registered nurse, Dave is the longest running Michael Shank Racing employee.

Jason can be seen on race day doing his duties as the fireman for the No. 60 car. Jason, who works as a salesman with Heinrich Paper Products, has been with Michael Shank Racing since 2004.

Kim has been working with Michael Shank Racing since 2006, but the physical trainer has been involved in racing for years, working with a variety of teams and series. Kim handles all hospitality for Michael Shank Racing.

That name might sound familiar...Bob has worked for Michael Shank since 2004, jumping the wall come race day to change right side tires on the No. 6 machine. His Monday-to Friday job is also a big one, serving as a National Construction Manager for DSW shoes.

David has been working with Michael Shank since 2006, helping as the front tire assist on the No. 60 car and also working as a mechanic on the same entry. He owns Franklin Glass as his full time gig, and the avid flyer has been involved in racing for over 15 year.

Michael Shank Racing's West Coast connection, the calm but experienced voice of Nyck is what the No. 60 drivers count on as he spots from high above. Nyck has done nearly everything in racing, and has worked with MSR since 2006.

Trent Butterfield is another long-serving Michael Shank Racing team member, with a connection to the squad that goes back to 2001. Trent can be seen on race day with the No. 60 entry, working as the tire assist and mechanic. Trent has also worked for other race teams including Rahal and Forsythe.

Kevin is an active motorcyle enthusiast, both in the dirt and at the drag strip. He works as both a bodywork guy and a mechanic for MSR, and come race weekends, you can find him close to the fuel on the No. 6 Ford-Riley, keeping everythign in order. Kevin is a native Buckeye, and calls Heath, Ohio home.

[+] Top of the page