Sir Thomas Inc.

ROCKINGHAM, NC– Consistent low six-second elapsed times and a quarterfinal finish has the 2006 IHRA Pro Rookie of the Year, Tommy D’Aprile saying, “The Boy’s are Back In Town!”  

“I’m sure there are a lot of people out there who thought this car could never be competitive,” said Mel Bush Motorsports Pro Mod driver Tommy D’Aprile. I bet they aren’t saying that now.” Seven consistent passes with a best of 6.050 at 234.37 is what gives this now veteran driver something to crow about. “ Mel and Joanne Bush have put together a fantastic team and I’m happy to be a part of it. My guys and Mike Janis’ crew have been working well together,” said D’Aprile.  

D’Aprile qualified the Mel Bush and Sons backed supercharged 62’ Bel-Air in the number four position pairing him in round one with the number 12 qualifier Burton Auxier. D’Aprile posted a  6.077 elapsed time in the win over Auxier’s nitrous assisted entry. D’Aprile’s competition in round two would be none other than his former mentor Quain Stott. “Quain gave me my start and I’ll forever be grateful but this team is here to win no matter who we face,” said D’Aprile.

New team tests before Rockingham

MOORESVILLE, NC - Tommy D'Aprile finished his 2006 rookie NitroJam season in fifth place. Now he starts the year in the same position and has high hopes for a strong season. The Port Charlotte Florida resident spent the past several days testing with the Mel Bush and Sons Construction backed team.
 
D'Aprile took the Mike Janis tuned entry to the quarter finals at the season opening race in San Antonio. He qualified the '63 Chevy Bel Air in the 12th position.

"We've been testing the past several days here in the North Carolina area," D'Aprile said. "We had hoped to do a little better in San Antonio. We're not going to beat ourselves up too much." D'Aprile's huge hole shot advantage in his quarter final match up with Jason Hamstra wasn't enough to overcome the tire shaking ride he experienced.

"Life is going to give you lemons," D'Aprile said. "You have to quit crying and make lemonade."

"We've got a great car, a great team and two of the best guys in the business in Mel (team owner Mel Bush) and Mike (crew chief Mike Janis)," D'Aprile added. "We're all expecting some great things in Rockingham. We love working late on Sunday, it means were going rounds and that's what it takes to win a championship."

D'Aprile and the Pro Modified '63 Chevy Bel Air will begin qualifying attempts at the Rockingham Dragway Friday and continue Saturday with eliminations beginning Sunday, April 20.