After 30 years as a career racer, former NASCAR driver Rich Bickle knew he wanted to stay busy in the next stage of his professional life.

"I've never been one to let myself become bored, so I started Muscle Up Performance," said Bickle, a veteran of 218 career NASCAR starts before stepping back from the sport in 2005. "I've always had a love of cars and building stuff. I've built a bunch of vehicles at my old shop in North Carolina and was ready to build a new shop here in Wisconsin when Kevin Laatch's Performance Automotive s became available. That made it pretty easy to say let's go do this."

Bickle has been on 'go' since his early Wisconsin racing exploits as a teenager. After making his stock car debut at Jefferson Speedway, Bickle quickly raced his way into the elite of Wisconsin paved short track ranks winning championships at Slinger and Capital (Madison) Speedways.

The Edgerton, WI native was just as successful outside the Badger State ranks winning several star studded events such as the Players 500 Championship in Canada and the Snowball Derby in Pensacola, FL. In all, Bickle won more than 260 late model stock car main events including the Snowball Derby a record five times.

Bickle made his big league NASCAR debut in 1989 and over the next 11 seasons would make 85 Winston Cup (now Sprint Cup) starts. His best finish was a fourth at Martinsville (VA) Speedway in 1998.

Bickle also appeared in 54 NASCAR Busch (now Nationwide) Series starts from 2004-2003 winning the pole at Charlotte in 1995.

His greatest success came in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series where he posted three wins, 34 Top-10 finishes and six pole positions in 79 career division starts.

During his career, Bickle drove for NASCAR legends Richard Petty, Darrell Waltrip, Cale Yarborough and Rick Hendrick. Today, Bickle continues to race in select Midwestern area late model stock car events campaigning his famed No. 45 racer.

In addition to being the owner of Muscle Up Performance and Rod Shop, Bickle has several other business interests including entertainment and real estate holdings. Bickle, 46, keeps residences in both Edgerton, WI and Mooresville, NC.