If you haven’t heard the names Mike Mitchell and Randy Wright around the California racing scene—especially along the coast—well, we’ve got to ask: Do you live under a rock?
These two legends didn’t just stumble across our path. No, this was all by design. When the California RaceSavers Sprints began gearing up for the task of a lifetime, bringing the RaceSavers back to California, it was clear we needed a sponsor. But not just any sponsor—one who got it. One who understood the long nights, the grind, the hustle, and the passion of racing. And we found that in Quick Change Liquid Energy Drink, thanks to Mike Mitchell and Randy Wright. Mike, a 1970’s stock car driver and team owner hailing from Arroyo Grande, and Randy, a stock car, super modified, asphalt, and midget driver and team owner from Shell Beach, have been there, done that when it comes to starting from the ground up. They both know what it’s like to fight for every dollar to keep the wheels turning, and they both have a fierce desire to see California racing thrive again.
These guys aren't just successful businessmen—they’ve lived the
struggle of being the "small guys" the ones starting from scratch and building their way to the top. They also believe in the power of Quick Change Liquid Energy and its potential to energize not just racers, but the entire racing community. Quick Change (original name) wasn’t originally Mike’s idea—credit goes to sprint car owners Mike Keller and his son Brent Keller. Mike Keller is a former Santa Maria Speedway track champion. But a conversation between Mike M and Mike K led to an opportunity Mike Mitchell just couldn’t pass up. No buyout. No money. Just a change in ownership. And just like that, Mike Mitchell became the proud owner of Quick Change Liquid Energy.
Here’s the kicker: Mike had never even tried an energy drink before.
Seriously! He was totally new to the game, but being the go-getter he is, he dove headfirst into it. After sampling the competition, he knew right away that Quick Change was the real deal. The competitors drinks gave you a jolt… and then a nasty crash. Quick Change? No crash, just smooth, sustained energy and a way better taste. Mike’s words? “ In his opinion the others tasted harsh and had a strong after taste. .” (We’ll let you guess which one he prefers!) Mike started handing them out to others, and even the die-hard fans of other brands couldn’t help but like Quick Change. That’s when he knew he had something special.
Mike reached out to his old racing buddy Randy to join the adventure. These two are spontaneous by nature, and Randy? Well, he can sell snow to an Eskimo and the factory to make it, according to Mike. They share the same passion, the same vision—often even sending ideas back and forth at 3 AM, and realizing they were on the same wavelength.
One of their first moves was sponsoring their home track, Santa Maria Speedway—a place that holds a special place in their hearts. Both guys have raced there themselves, and they wanted to be a part of the speedway’s legacy in more ways than one. But, being no strangers to the struggle of getting to the track (Randy used to hitchhike to Santa Maria as a teenager), they were eager to help out drivers who might need a little boost.
“We want to help the guys who start in the back—the ones who transfer from the B main to the A main,” Mike explained. “Those are the ones we want to recognize. After the race, I’d find them in the pits, give them $100 and a case of Quick Change, snap a photo with them, and make sure they felt seen.”
When Mike reached out to Alicia, the promoter of the California RaceSaver Sprints, she was nearly speechless (which, let’s face it, doesn’t happen often).
As new promoter taking on a series that had nearly faded into the background had its challenges—finding sponsorship being at the top of that list. But when Mike and Alicia started talking, they realized they shared the same vision: bring racing back to the fun, affordable, and thriving state it once had. With that spark, they hit the ground running, working on designs and bouncing ideas off each other. The goal was clear: promote an energy drink that not only keeps you going without the crash but one that actually tastes good (no “acid” here!) and meshes perfectly with the racing world.
Since Quick Change liquid Energy came on board as a sponsor, they’ve already made a significant impact. They’ve helped the California RaceSaver Sprints in countless ways: covering travel costs for workshops, providing free product to drivers and teams to sell or give away to potential sponsors, covering tow money for teams making long hauls, and even contributing to the 1st place prize at every race. And that’s just the start!
There’s so much more to come from Quick Change Liquid Energy and the California RaceSaver Sprints, and you won’t want to miss a second of it. Whether you’re watching from the stands or taking part in the action, it’s going to be a ride you won’t forget.
-This message is approved by Mike Mitchell and Randy Wright.
- ALICIA GARGES on Feb 09, 2025
- Article Date: 2/9/2025 by Alicia Garges