From Sick Week Participation to a Sweet Stop on Sick Michigan Miles, Craig and Melissa VanTielen Sweeten Up Michigan Miles with a Checkpoint Stop At Their Place, The Whippy Dip
Since the first Sick Week Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive in 2022, Tom Bailey and Luke Nieuwhof have made a point to highlight all points of a drag and drive event. The tracks are important, but the drives and checkpoints are also a big deal.
For next month’s Sick Michigan Miles Presented by Driven Racing Oil, we will feature a checkpoint from a husband and wife that were Sick Ward participants at this year’s Sick Week.
Don’t miss our next event - Sick Michigan Miles Presented by Driven Racing Oil, coming on August 10-17th, 2025! We’ll do an entire week in the great state of Michigan, featuring over 1,000 street miles and four race tracks - PLUS a visit to Woodward Dream Cruise! Don’t miss out on your chance to join us - CLICK HERE for more info on Sick Michigan Miles - including Sick Ward and Sick Spit Detailer Show & Shine!
It was just over three years ago that Craig and Melissa VanTielen purchased The Whippy Dip in Vanderbilt, Michigan. “It is widely known, having been established since 1984,” said Melissa. “I am the third owner, and we have taken the quality over the top.”
Although she holds a license as a cosmetologist, Melissa’s life has revolved around The Whippy Dip since she was a kid. “When my current businesses went up for sale about six years ago, I was very interested in purchasing (The Whippy Dip), however the asking price was a bit steep,” Melissa said.
A few years later, the previous owner of The Whippy Dip suddenly passed away, and that would provide the opportunity for Craig and Melissa to become the new owners. “I said I didn't know what I would do if I wasn't able to eat Whippy Dip ice cream a minimum of three days a week all summer long,” said Melissa. “My husband said I could just buy 1/2 gallons and save a lot of money; Not funny!”
In the three years since acquiring The Whippy Dip, Craig and Melissa also acquired the Redwing gas station and convenience store next store. “Our ice cream store has a variety of food for sale, as well as 20 flavors of hard ice cream, 3 flavors of soft serve ice cream and a non-dairy soft serve,” Melissa said.
Craig and Melissa’s business is just part of their 29 years together as husband and wife, but Craig’s love of cars and racing has been present since their first date. From owning a 1977 Pontiac Trans Am when they first met, to a 1983 Camaro that is still in the family, cars and ice cream are a part of life.
Melissa and Craig added the next step to their car-filled lives with a trip to warmer climates this past January. “Florida in January has become a thing for my husband and I,” said Melissa. “We had been watching Motor Trend, and the drag and drive episodes. We decided that our Florida trip would be Sick Week.”
After flying down to Florida, they rented a modern Camaro and jumped into the Sick Ward part of Sick Week Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive. “Drove up to Georgia and there we were totally impressed by the number of vehicles present at the drag track,” Melissa said. “It was so great to walk around and look at everyone’s ideas and how they put all of the resources they had to good use. The racing was off the hook. The comradery among racers and spectators was extraordinary.”
Craig and Melissa not only paid attention to the rides and the racing, but also the cruising and checkpoints. “We followed the route and partook in the checkpoints, which were all very interesting locations,” said Melissa. “While on our journey of Sick Week, we decided this is something we need to try.”
The VanTielens acquired a Chevrolet S-10 pick-up, and Chris grabbed a competitor spot when they went up for sale. “By the time we had returned home (from Sick Week), we had a plan in place,” Melissa said. “The build of our Michigan Miles Drag S-10 was on. Being new to the scene we have decided to start in our home state and see how it goes.”
Although they already host a car show, Craig and Melissa also volunteered their location as a possible checkpoint for the Sick Michigan Miles event Presented by Driven Racing Oil. “Michigan Miles is a great idea,” said Melissa. “Our state has so many amazing nooks and crannies. I feel like having a checkpoint at our location would be my opportunity to give the sport a huge shout out and exposure. We may be in a small town, but The Whippy Dip has friends all over our area.”
Come join us for a week of fun and racing action, plus the Woodward Dream Cruise, as we invade Michigan for the Sick Michigan Miles Presented by Driven Racing Oil event, August 10-17th! CLICK HERE for more details!
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Sick the Magazine and Craig & Melissa VanTielen.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com