Since the last post let you all know a little about me, now I think it's time to make a post all about Andy. He is, in almost every sense of the word, my better half. He is definitely without a doubt the better racer between the two of us. That's ok for me though, because all I can do is learn and get better from him!
While in high school Andy went to tech school for welding where he graduated as "student of the year." He started working young, at age 16, for his dad in his machine shop. Following graduation he chose to forego college to continue learning his dad's business. From ages 20-22 he was the shop foreman at his father's shop before moving into his own shop which he currently runs.
Like me, Andy has been around racing nearly his entire life. He went from going to the races with his dad at age 9 to behind the steering wheel at 16. Right into a Top class car...
This is his first race car. A 1970 Duster powered with a 408 ci Mopar engine. It ran 10.00's at 130 around mph. Unfortunately the engine blew in this car and the "blue Duster" (you will see why it's called that in a second!) was no more after a mere 15 passes down the track.
Onto the "black Duster"
Also a 1970 Duster, Andy technically raced this car before the "blue Duster" because it wasn't completed yet. A 360 ci engine was in this car, running 11.00's at about 120 mph.
Neither of the Dusters lasted very long, Andy's desire to go quicker and win races drove him into running a 1932 Bantam Altered. This was the car he got his first event win in. Following his season in the altered, he moved into his car that would bring him his most success yet.
The 2006 Undercover Dragster.
This dragster was purchased brand new by Andy's dad. It's had various engines in it from a 528 lowdeck, 493 cubic inch engine and lastly the 540 (which I am currently piloting). It's et's (elapsed time) have ranged from 8.20's at 165mph to 7.55 at 177mph.
Andy has had tons of success in The Shark. His bigger wins consist of winning an Iron Man trophy in 2008 during the Iron Man classic at Pittsburgh Raceway and qualifying for bracket finals in the top 5 every year since getting this car.
These are just a few of his plaques (that he didn't give to his dad) from daily wins and points finishes, as well as his coveted Iron Man.
After 7 years of running the Undercover, it was time to move on...
Here is Andy's 2013 Undercover Dragster. Also purchased brand new and built to his desires and specs, this car is equipped with the same powerplant that is currently in the 2006 Undercover. So essentially we are now racing identical cars.
Though Andy hasn't had any official wins in this car yet, he took a runner up in his first race ever and was lucky enough to win the "best engineered open bodied car" at this past year's bracket finals.
So that's Andy...his racing career is off to a great start and I know it will only continue to grow! I can only hope that someday I can say I am as good as he is.
But if I can't...at least I get to say I'm with one of the best around ;)
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