James Michael, of Fort Worth, Texas, ran the most events of any other driver in the class in 2015. While he was unable to make the start at the NOLA Motorsports Park doubleheader, he finished races at Hallett Motor Racing Circuit, Kansas Speedway and Pueblo Motorsports Park. To put it lightly, Michael was happy about his Majors conference title.

“Winning the Majors Championship is fantastic!” Michael said. “I’m there on the track because I love auto racing, the cars, the people, the action and the excitement. So, to be a part of it and to participate is really special. Winning the Majors ranks as one of the all-time highs of my racing experience - the action on the track is what I enjoyed the most.”

To make the accomplishment even sweeter, Michael did have to overcome some rather large obstacles during the season.

“The most difficult part of the season was at the beginning,” Michael said. “I spent all winter getting the car ready then in the first race, at NOLA, the bolts connecting my driveshaft to the differential all broke and I didn’t race. So, more work before I could be on track racing. Then at the next race, at Hallett, I lost a front wing in qualifying. Then the following race after that, at Kansas Speedway, I lost the front wing again. I got really good at repairing front wings and noses, that’s for sure!”

It wasn’t until late in the season that Michael had a strong feeling that he could win the conference championship.

“After racing at Kansas Speedway, I realized I could win the championship depending on the competition at the last race in Pueblo, Colorado,” Michael said. “I had to make that last race, and finish in a reasonable position, to clinch the championship. Pueblo was a neat track but I needed more wing in the car, with the thin air at 5,000 feet, but at least I was on the podium twice in third to wrap up the championship.”

Michael made sure to highlight some of the people that made his championship season possible.

“I would like to thank my brother, David, for coming out to help me at Kansas and at the Runoffs,” Michael said. “I also want to thank Joni and Mary for putting up with me all race season.

“A special thanks goes out to Dauntless Racing/Stohr cars for getting Stohr parts in a timely manner, including a new front wing. Thanks, also, to George Dean race engines, Bill Smith, Mike Sauce, for a good piece of advice at the Runoffs, and Berlousche Engineering, my sponsor. Also, how could I forget the master and genius Archie Hodges - thanks for the encouragement and help Archie! Finally thanks to the SCCA, and all the corner workers and other volunteers, who put on a great series and memorable Runoffs.”