661-728-9600
D. I. COLUMNIST The Real Deal with Tommy D ' Aprile
SPRING
PERCHES
SO GOOD, THEY’ RE PATENTED.
As a Florida resident, for years I have become used to the insane heat that comes with the tropical summers here. Our racetrack closes for the summer months as high temperatures and rainy afternoons consume us for months. Like many people who stay inside when it’ s cold out, we stay inside because it’ s hot out. To even think about going to the races with 100-degree temperatures makes me cringe. Summer months across the country’ s racetracks can also be very hot, so I have decided to take the summer off from racing.
Now, when I was 20 years old, I wouldn’ t have cared if it was 150 degrees – I was going racing. But now I tend to enjoy the sport more with balance. The funny thing is, I have no idea at times what to do when we are not racing because it has taken up so much of my life. How many of you can relate to this?
We travel across countless states without stopping anywhere but the racetrack and truck stops. People would always ask if it was nice to travel so much and see the country. Although I have traveled a lot, I haven’ t seen much at all. I’ ve driven through some of the coolest places without a thought to stop and admire the beauty of God’ s land. Here is what I’ m getting at. I spent so much time trying to just get to the track and back home to work I’ ve missed everything in between.
One day I saw the carnival come into my town and witnessed them setting up at the fairgrounds. They looked beat down and so tired, then it hit me: We are just like the carnival. A traveling roadshow that gives little rest for the weary. Just because it’ s racing does not mean we aren’ t very much like carnival folk. That put it into perspective for me – traveling to entertain, while neglecting so much along the way.
Being on the road tends to put us in a fantasy-like state. After a race, many will say as they leave,“ It’ s time to get back to reality.” Let us never forget the goodness of home and the people that sacrifice so much as we are out on the road chasing the dream. Remember, racing may be your dream, but it’ s not necessarily the dream of everyone you care about.
Take time to appreciate the little things and make sure you leave time to vacation and get away with the people you love, especially during the scorching summer months. Get away from carnival travel life and enjoy the real life you have. I am just now starting to do this and I am excited to travel a little and actually enjoy myself somewhere other than a racetrack. Although I love racing and have no plans to quit, I am finally seeing there is more to life. As always, the choice is yours to make. DI
Email Tommy at tommyd @ dragillustrated. com
July / August 2025
2024 2025
ASK A TECH:
ASK A TECH:
661-728-9600
661-728-9600
Hours: M-F 8am-4:30pm PST
Hours: M-F 8am-4:30pm PST
CalvertRacing. com
CalvertRacing. com
2025: leave‘ em in the dust
DragIllustrated. com | Drag Illustrated | 61
MADE IN THE USA