Drag Illustrated Issue 144, May 2019 | Page 59

D.I. COLUMNIST The Real Deal with Tommy D'Aprile KINSLER A HOND T he race season is in full swing and it sure is exciting to see all the new teams and cars that are coming out. In the offseason, we tend to change the looks of our teams, buy new equipment and up- date our cars to make the best effort at a very competitive season. It’s funny, but the one thing that matters most seems to hardly ever get updated over the offseason. Want to know what that one thing is? It’s you. It amazes me that we spend so much time and energy on our stuff, but neglect ourselves and our wellbeing. One thing I’ve heard is that if you’re not well, you can’t be much good to anyone else, including your team. Please don’t take this the wrong way, but nonetheless please take it for what it’s worth. We, as a nation, are getting more out of shape and fatter than ever. I have heard every excuse as to why, but the truth of the matter is that it’s our choices that make us fat and not fit! Just take a look at someone’s shopping cart the next time you are at the grocery store – junk and more junk. What we feed our bodies has an impact on what your body will look like and how we will feel. Now, I’m not saying we should all look alike or try to be someone else. What I am saying is that you need to be your best and eating crap while not exercising won’t get you there. When we shop, we need to try and make healthier choices, not only for ourselves but for our families and teams as well. Loading your team up with soda and energy drinks all day is more harmful than you might think. Water will keep you hydrated while the others mentioned can actually dehydrate you. Sports drinks like Gatorade to replenish electrolytes is fine, but not 10 in an hour. Heavy meals at the track will leave you feeling heavy and tired, while small snacks throughout the day will prolong energy. And I’m not talking about cookies and crap snacks either. You can find healthy alternatives for snacks if you want to. It’s funny how people will ask my advice on getting in shape, I tell them and they ignore it, then come back a year later and ask again. This will happen quite often. The main thing I hear is that they want a fast way to get in shape. People, you didn’t get out of shape overnight, so you’re not going to get back in shape overnight. It’s all about discipline and a decision to make a change. A team I know in racing has all the best parts money can buy to ensure the best possible race day outcome. Race day comes and they rarely do well. One thing about them I noticed was after qualifying they would celebrate. They would eat lots of food and drink until the early hours of the morning, then expect to be their best the next day. Race day would come and the team was always slow and lazy, and the driver late on the tree. The sad thing is that they can’t even see the effects of what they do to themselves. If you want to be successful, you leave to be disciplined. Prepare your cars and equipment, but also prepare yourself to be your best. Get rest, eat right and get some exercise. Little changes can result in big changes in the long run. Drinking too much and making your team suffer for your lack of discipline is selfish. Take it for what it is. If you want to be your best, you need to put your best foot forward. As always, the choice is yours to make. Email Tommy at tommyd@dragillustrated.com May 2019 ® NEW REL 4 BAR Excellent Durability Monster Mesh TM Filters T BILLE We Do It All Huge amounts of premium quality filter media for minimum pressure drop. Precisely Repeatable High Speed STO ld M Bypass Our CU s ifo an M e Mad ! Set Records 12AN & 8AN Fuel Rail Largest on the Market ER BLOW HATS Quick Disconnect Bypass WORLD’S Largest Stocking Distributor Kinsler Leak Tester Check engine leakage; barrel valve setting. Most accurate and repeatable on the market Kinsler.com Precision Jets © ad e R his T Monster Mesh TM Filter 10/3 Element Custom Size Nozzles EXCELLENT FOR EFI EFI Injectors, Lucas Metering Units, and all makes of Pressure Relief Valves need 3 micron protection, but 3 micron filters plug up too quickly, so most racers use 10 micron, which is too coarse. We made this new element for NASCAR Cup cars: 10 micron premium paper top layer to take out 95% of the dirt, with a 3 micron precision Fiberglass lower layer. Details: Kinsler.com home page. Tel: 248-362-1145 sales@kinsler.com Handbook/Catalog at kinsler.com Troy, Michigan USA DragIllustrated.com | D r a g I l l u s t r a t e d | 59