Saturday, August 30, 2008

News-Gazette reporter

When 14-year-old Tommy Bigelow, namesake to his famous racing grandfather Tom Bigelow, and his 18-year-old sister Stephanie hit the pavement this weekend at Winchester Speedway, they will be dashing into their dreams of continuing the family racing legacy. They are the children of race driver Alan Bigelow and wife Janet.

"I've always wanted to do this from as far back as I can remember," said Tommy. "I really got encouraged when I was 10 and Hooters Pro Cup (race) had a 15-year-old racer and he won that day."

The 2008 Winchester Community High School graduate had the same vision, which she tested a few weeks ago at Winchester's track. Her dad said she had a good car, but it blew an engine and she only went a few laps.

"It was amazing, fun and exhilarating!" Stephanie said. "That very morning, I learned how to drive a stick and I never killed it. After my engine broke, I jumped in a fellow driver's car and got some lap time. And I'm itching to go back this weekend. "

The two will compete Sunday in CRA's (Championship Racing Association) Vore's Welding and Steel FWD (front wheel drive) Series at the World Street Stock Festival. Tommy will be in an automatic 4-cylinder 1988 Dodge Shadow, while his sister revs up a purple 1985 Dodge Daytona with the number 44.

"Tommy got first pick on numbers and he chose 43, which was grandpa's Indy car and everybody knows his saying, 'me and 43,'" Stephanie said. "My dad's first number was 44, so I took that."

Watching and listening to the younger Bigelows reference to their elders, shows how honored they are by their family mentors. Alan has raced for about 15 years and ran the family racing team, Bigelow Motor Sports, for around 10. His top finish was fifth place at an ARCA (Automobile Racing Club America) event at Winchester Speedway, plus several top spots in USAC (United States Automobile Club) Midgets.

"I was told I gotta get them (children) ready before I go back," Alan joked.

Grandfather Tom considers himself a 'semi-racer' still, after entering the sport at the age of 18 in 1957. He ran the Indianapolis 500 nine times, with a best finish of sixth in 1977. His career was prevalent when the 'greats of racing' included A.J. Foyt, Mario Andretti, Al and Bobby Unser, Johnny Rutherford and Rick Mears.

"I'm probably more enthused than they are," the senior Bigelow said.

The family shared a story about Tommy at the age of three or four taking some of his first racing instructions from his grandfather.

"Papa taught him gas and brake pedals and he (Tommy) was on the floorboard," Alan said. "Tommy hit the gas really hard and floored it and everyone went flying."

Alan's advice for his son today is to check his rear-view mirrors often and watch the curves.

"When you get in the curve, if there's a a crash, there's not much you can do," Alan said. "When they crash, first you go up, then down, so it is hard to avoid it."

That nasty word, crash, is what makes the mother of these two adventurous teens a little nervous. But she is willing to put her fears aside for her children to strive toward their dreams.

"I have friends that will help me through it," Janet chuckled.

Tommy said if he finds himself in a "three-wide" (three cars side-by-side), he will probably be able to hear his mother screaming.

Interestingly, the novices have never raced anything other than a go-kart on the family farm. Saturday's practice session will be the first time Tommy will drive his car at top speed. He has driven a street car around the track before at 55 to 60 MPH. But this weekend, 85 to 95 will be the average speed on the oval with 34 degree inclines.

Alan said Tommy's biggest surprise will come as he flies at top speed and then sees one of the leaders flash past him.

"He'll realize he's not so fast," his dad said.

But, as "Papa" Bigelow said, "It's a starting car. This is just to get him some experience."

Both young Bigelows have gained an abundance of knowledge by hanging around the family garage. Each helped in the gutting of their vehicles, which is what happens after finding a junk car and turning it into a speedster. Tommy learned the importance of gaining sponsors, also. His backing will come from Winchester Auto Glass, Henchon's Towing, SP Tools from California and Winchester Furniture Showroom.

"I think I put more work into this car than anything else I've done," he said.

Stephanie showed a voice of maturity as she expressed her greatest fear in succeeding in the sport.

"Hopefully, I'll never lose the appreciation of what goes on behind the scene, like with the crew and what goes on in the shop," she said.

At the age of 13, she knew she was ready to race. But she hit a bump in the road when the age limit was changed to 18. So, she waited for time to pass.

School, drum major duties and other activities kept her dream on the back burner until she graduated. Then she readied for her racing fantasy.

Age limits shifted again, allowing Tommy to be eligible to join the family ranks of racing, which will include uncle Don Bigelow on Monday. Since Stephanie already started classes at Evansville University, she will give up her car on Monday to her uncle. Even though Tommy could be the youngest driver on the track this weekend, he might find comfort in seeing familiar faces around him. Although, they still want him to "eat their dust."

"Donny always worked on pit crew, but never really wanted to race till now," Tom Bigelow said. "Now, he wants to beat Tommy."

The eighth-grader was all smiles and laughs while talking about his racing debut, but is realistic about the road ahead of him.

"I'm excited, a little scared and pretty confident," Tommy said. "Biggest concern - crashing!"

He remembers going to his first race at three years old in Salem, Ind., and brags about how many states (48) he has traveled to see one.

"This is a top-notch race out here," Papa Tom said, "no bumping, no banging, no fighting in the pits. It's one of the safest."

However the racing gods affect the Bigelow kin this weekend, all will stay sane and loving on the home front, according to Stephanie.

"It's been really competitive in our house the last couple of weeks," Stephanie said, "And no matter what the outcome is, we know we are continuing on the tradition of our family and that's what is more important."

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