PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Tommy D'Aprile, 2006 IHRA Pro Rookie of the Year, will be competing for the 2008 IHRA Pro Modified Championship behind the wheel of a Mel Bush - Mike Janis prepared 1962 Chevy Bel Air. After sitting out 2007, D'Aprile is looking forward to getting back on the track. "I sat out a year, because I wasn't going to race against Quain [former teammate Stott]," D'Aprile explained. "I can't thank Quain enough. He gave me my first opportunity to go out there and be real competitive from the start. When I lost my sponsorship in 2007, it just wouldn't have been right to race against him that following season. When Mel [Bush] approached me last season about driving for him in 2008 I couldn't pass up this great chance."
The supercharged entry will be sponsored by Mel Bush & Sons
Construction and tuned by two-time World Champion Mike Janis. The crew
that carried D'Aprile to a fifth place finish in 2006 will return for
the 2008 campaign (Mike Martindell, Ron Logan and Fred Vinacco).
D'Aprile's welcoming personality made him a fan-favorite in the past
and is expected to be a draw for fans again this season. Fans are
encouraged to visit D'Aprile's pit area for the up close and personal
attention drag racing and D'Aprile fans have grown to expect. "We know
we could not race without their support," D'Aprile said. "We just want
to give a little back."
"It's going to be fun racing this cool Chevy Bel Air in a sea of Corvettes and Firebirds," D'Aprile said. "Mike Janis is one of the best tuners in the business, we've got to be optimistic about our chances. I can't wait to run that Chevy 240MPH at 5.90."
"We are going to give it our all. We'll be as good as we can be - as good as the Lord wants us to be," said D'Aprile.
The team will be conducting a few private test sessions prior to the season opening IHRA race at the Amalie Oil Texas Nationals April 4-6 in San Antonio. D'Aprile can't wait to strap in and go racing. "Mike and Mel have put a lot of work into this team. All that hard work will come out in San Antonio."
D'Aprile posted a runner-up finish in his first San Antonio outing in 2006.
"Again I can't thank Mel Bush enough for this opportunity. We are going to bust our butts for him and I hope we can show some really positive results".
"It's going to be fun racing this cool Chevy Bel Air in a sea of Corvettes and Firebirds," D'Aprile said. "Mike Janis is one of the best tuners in the business, we've got to be optimistic about our chances. I can't wait to run that Chevy 240MPH at 5.90."
"We are going to give it our all. We'll be as good as we can be - as good as the Lord wants us to be," said D'Aprile.
The team will be conducting a few private test sessions prior to the season opening IHRA race at the Amalie Oil Texas Nationals April 4-6 in San Antonio. D'Aprile can't wait to strap in and go racing. "Mike and Mel have put a lot of work into this team. All that hard work will come out in San Antonio."
D'Aprile posted a runner-up finish in his first San Antonio outing in 2006.
"Again I can't thank Mel Bush enough for this opportunity. We are going to bust our butts for him and I hope we can show some really positive results".
4 Comments
thats 1 bad ride for 08
Good Luck Tommy.. come out of the box hard and take them all to school........
Attaboy Tommy...We'll be lookin for you at Milan. All the best!
I had the pleasure to meet Tommy, Mel, and Johanne at Nitro Jam in Martin this weekend. Tommy took the time to autograph a picture to my on-the-way-son, Max and also to chat a bit! You didn't make me feel like I was taking up your valuable time, but like I was making new friends!! I have to say you are the most genuine, enjoyable group of people!!! You all really are wonderful! You made my day!! Good Luck to you all, you certainly deserve it!!!!
-Jenni