​Today is Chach day!!!!

Before I get started I need to explain the name Chach, from what I has been handed down through generations around ancient camp fires, is that at one point in time Dave, once tried to use the name Chach as a nickname against one of our buddies and it essentially back fired. Now, being the ever-sarcastic crotchety old prankster we have come to know and love, “friend” thought it would be comical and introduced me to Dave as CHACH, further cementing the ultimate back fire. And now as result, because I had known him as Chach, long before I knew him as Dave, he will forever be simply Chach. But make no mistake, I use the name Chach with nothing but love and endearment. Although it does cause some confusion and much hesitation on my part, when introducing him, especially at professional functions and trade shows. trust me It can get weird when you introduce a guy in dress clothes simply as “Chach” Hahahaha, Sorry brother!

The Story of Chach predates our friendship by at least a year or more (which you will read about in the bottom of his questions), due to that fact that he was best friends, with the above-mentioned friend, and my soon to be boss, and now close friend. Apparently as this story goes, Chach was laying on the couch one weekend morning watching a brand of automotive how to shows, that used to air as block of shows, on cable. When he saw me serendipitously wearing the sweatshirt of his friend’s jeep suspension company. And called to tell him the good news. Ryan, the owner of the company tracked me down and what happened to be a luckily rainy day which required a sweatshirt turned into one of the best jobs I had ever had the pleasure to serve in, but also helped launch the career I had always dreamed of. And as a secondary bonus, allowed me to make some of the greatest friends I have to date! Thank you brother, the stars aligned perfectly for me on that day and I am forever grateful.

Fast forward a few years to the economic crash, and a company based on the supplemental income of the working class and American Jeep fan. The company I loved, led by a led by a man I admired, facilitating a dream job, unfortunately had to close the doors in 2010. 90% of all the car culture and jobs available where located in southern California, which meant that now I most likely I had to relocate from my home in Nor-Cal. While trying to figure out my next step, and decide if I was ready to leave my friends and family behind to chase my dreams, and what the next step should be for me, the phone rang, with Chach on the other end of the line.

“Hey, what’s up Nacho?” (A nickname given to me, not unlike Chach, which was not necessarily welcome at the time but now excepted as a term of endearment and used by only people who have known me in those circumstances) And why Did I just tell you, the world about it?! What did I just get my self into……lol. Anyways.

“Hey, what’s up Nacho?”
“Not much man, just trying to figure out my next step, how ‘bout you? How’s life on the beach?”
“Well, that’s kinda why I’m calling man, I know a few people down here and hear from RW that you were looking at a few companies. And wanted to let you know, that you’re welcome to come crash on my couch, for a while, while you interview, and if you give me some heads up can probably set up a few meetings for you?” “I’m sure you’re watching what you spend right now, so wanted you to know you’re always welcome here man!”
“Damn, thanks man, that would help a ton, I really appreciate that!

As I hung up the phone, I was really taken aback by his call. He actually made an not only an effort to think of me, but to pick up the phone do something about it. And then again to extend an act of generosity of that nature. Not to just to let me into his home, but to introduce me to people, team owners, and some prominent business owners in the racing community, people I would have had to cold call, and most likely never get in front of. That takes a lot of faith in a person to do. You are essentially putting your reputation on the line and vouching for that person and take a risk that if it doesn’t work out or that person sucks it ultimately is going to reflect on you.

Which, for some longtime friends wouldn’t seem like that big of a deal. But I never thought that Chach thought of me that way. I had always assumed that even though we got along great when hanging out, it was always in a group. And further assumed that in his eyes, I was just a cool guy that worked for his buddy. See, we never really got much friend foundational time. He made a few trips up north to help us build a race car, and we’d meet up with him from time to time on our way through so cal. But had never, been on any of the long road trips, or desert camping trips or one on one time that usually leads to that kind of personal bonding.

I was amazed by his act of generosity, courtesy, and kindness. And, as much as I like to believe my generosity has grown as I grow older. I can almost say at that time in my life I’m not so sure I would have done the same. It was such small act but meant so much to me, especially in that time in my life when I felt so lost, ungrounded, and uncertain. It will certainly not be forgotten and has influenced me to be a more giving person in return.

That trip to So-Cal also helped open my eyes to the idea of moving away from home in pursuit of chasing dreams. And thus, took a job out of state which had led to some other very fortunate experiences in my life. And as such, our friendship continued to grow over the next few years in which his kind giving personality always seemed to shine.

I was again in his town of Huntington beach, Ca. displaying a race car for a really cool car show on the beach. So of course, had to call him and link up. He rode his bike down with a buddy and hung out for an hour so before he had to split. It was good to see him and with both of our schedules being busy didn’t fully expect to get the chance to see him again that weekend. Just kind of the way my life works at times. I always try to take every advantage I can to spend time with someone even if it’s only for 5 minutes, because who knows what will happen to my schedule tomorrow, and what fire I may have to deal with. But as luck would have it, we got to stay an extra day and Chach was free as well! #racingmiracle. We were friends with a couple of people who had just moved there, as well they were part of the race circuit and we wanted to see them too. So, Chach fully to the rescue again. Being the ever gracious host an avid cyclist, owned the exact number of bikes for the people we had, and bonus, his pad was a block from the beach. Which worked out perfect, we could base camp at his place, grab some drinks and fish tacos and ride the strand…. Oh, except that I was driving a full-length semi. Not really conducive to small beach town streets or parking codes!
“No worries Nacho, I got your back. I’m actually house sitting for a friend who has a place big enough for the hauler” You can park it there, I’ll call the city and let them know so you don’t get a ticket”
“perfect, thanks man!”

Fun day mode engaged. No bad days at the beach!

End of the day comes around, we all head back to the house, Myself, Chach and 4 other people he just met today. (friends of mine) but still, he didn’t really know these people. But still chose the gratuitousness and kind path, and opened up his home AND the shower to everyone so they could clean up from our day in the sun. He could have easily said, whelp, it’s been fun, nice to meet you guys and shut the door. I did stay there that night, as was planned so hopefully even if he had done that he would have let me back in, Ha. The next morning I was off to Fresno with the race rig, to start another adventure with another amazing group of guys. Only to find out when I got there, I left my roller bag and all my clothes at his house…… A 5hr drive away….

Needless to say, Chach came through yet again and fedex’d it to me the next day. As you read this buddy I still need to pay you back for that because you never told me how much it was………

For those of you reading along, he just simply answered, I got your back Nacho, you’d do the same for me!

And of course, I would! Anytime brother!

Chach, you sir, are the embodiment of graciousness, blind charity and unbound faith in the good of people! I salute you sir! And cheers you to many more years together! I love you man!


12 QUESTIONS WITH CHACH, AKA DAVE PASIENSKI:


Here you go Nacho… I honestly wasn’t expecting you to include me in this! But, I am glad you did.

1. A brief history of yourself, where you were born/ grew up/ type of upbringing. Or anything else relevant to your unique story that will help people understand where you came from.
I grew up in Huntington Beach, CA. My dad was 33-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department and my mom stayed home to raise me and my brother. There was a tremendous amount of discipline being raised by a cop and it’s safe to say that my brother and I knew who was in charge at home. When you combine the discipline at home with 13 years of Catholic school and it seems like I was being taught right from wrong 24 hours a day!

I grew up going to the beach and surfing was a huge part of my life. I had a great group of neighborhood friends and we were super lucky to grow up where we did. We were a short bike ride to the beach and our backyard basically consisted of a wetlands area and open fields… which was a lot better than having to grow up in a “concrete jungle”. We did our best to stay out of trouble most of the time :)

2. What led you to choose the career/life that you lead?

It sounds cliché, but one of my neighbors growing up told me to find work where I would have a passion. After graduating college, I went to work in the automotive aftermarket at Sun Performance Products. After about 4 years at Sun Performance, I found my way into the Firearms Industry. After spending 13+ years working for 2 different companies in this industry, I feel like I absorbed a lifetime of work experience in a short time. This was a great time to be in the firearms industry, but it wasn’t without its challenges. As of 2 years ago, I am now working with my buddy at his small printing business. It’s been one of the best changes that could have happened. No more corporate politics or egos… just a good group of people trying to kick ass and grow our business. Our company does a lot of work in the motorsports/racing industry, so it has brought me back full circle to the automotive world again. It’s hard to complain when most work events involve going to a race track or automotive trade show.
3. What matters most to you, what would you fight for with your last dying breath?

LOYALTY – it’s as simple as that. I’ve dealt with a lot of B---S--- in corporate America and most recently in my personal life. Those that are loyal to me will have my support no matter what and after all those years in the firearms industry… I should be able to put up a pretty good fight if needed!
4. Growth often comes from pain What painful situation are you now most grateful for? Or was there a pivotal moment in your life leading you towards today.

In 2009 I lost my best friend in a tragic boating accident. I realize how easy it could have been me and should have been me (I flaked that night at the last minute). When you lose your best friend of 30+ years, it feels like the world stops. Everything… and I mean EVERYTHING falls into perspective very quickly!!! Stupid things like getting stopped at a red light used to piss me off. Now, I would sit at every red light for an hour just to have my buddy back!

5. What drives you out of bed every day? What really motivates you to do what you do?

I have found myself in a positon where all the pieces of my life are in alignment. I have a job I enjoy and a personal life that is free of drama. If you can’t wake up excited about that… you need to re-evaluate your life. There are countless people that are less fortunate… so, it would be a complete waste to not take advantage of what I have been given. At the end of the day, hard work results in financial benefits that allow me to enjoy other things that are more relaxing (travel, golf, surfing, etc…).
6. Fear can be an equally good motivator, is there anything in life you are constantly working away from? (personally, I strive to never have a regret from missing out on making the most out of an opportunity, and am constantly working against the fear of becoming mediocre)

I don’t want to work until the day I die just to pay the bills. The thought of “having” to work later in life scares the crap out of me. I want to be able to walk away from the working world on my terms and enjoy my life without financial stress.
7. In the quiet moments alone, where does your mind/heart go? What questions are you asking yourself in your pursuit?

I hate to say it... but, lately it’s been the state of our country. I haven’t seen this much division in my lifetime. I’ll leave it there and won’t go into more specifics!!!
8. If tomorrow was your last day, what would your lasting legacy be, what do you hope it will be? Or Do you have one right now?

I am pretty simple person and not sure if I am worthy of that term? I just hope people remember me as being a good person that would have given them the shirt off my back if needed more than me.
9. Who in your life, has had to most impact.

In a business capacity, it would be my old boss George. He was the best boss I could have asked for at the that point in my working career. He was humble, open to new ideas and when you messed up… he had a great way of putting you in your place without making you feel like an idiot. When I started working for him I was a very “green” sales guy, but he helped build me into a professional that ultimately had the responsibility for 10’s of millions of dollars in sales and an extended network of 60+ sales people.

In my personal life… it would be my collective group of friends. I have a pretty diverse group of friends and each one has a unique way of making me a better person. It’s great to have a friends that can look you in the eyes and tell you to the things you don’t want to hear, but need to hear.
10. What are your core values? Everyday life is tough and we're constantly faced with decisions. What fundamental beliefs help guide you?

Honesty and Loyalty… this goes for work or personal. We are challenged everyday with numerous decisions. If you are only looking out for your personal benefit, you will most likely lead a very unhappy personal life and miserable work life. Decisions are basically a series of negotiations… there must be mutual benefit and sacrifice on both sides. If things swing to far one way or the other, it’s gonna be nasty.
11. Lastly, if there is anything left on your list of "to do's" what is the biggest one you need to accomplish? Whats long term for you?

I have a pretty extensive personal bucket list. Some travel related others are experience related. I’ve been to 46 states and I want to knock out the last 4. I also want to step foot on all 7 continents… I’ve only tackled 3, so I’ve to a long way to go and Antarctica will be tricky!

Professionally, I want to keep taking steps to help grow and refine our business. This brings great personal satisfaction, but the byproduct of this is great financial benefit in the long term. Like I said earlier, I don’t want to be working when I am 70+… I’d rather be on the beach or riding my motorcycle across the country.
12. Use this to reach out or promote anything you feel needs mentioning, organizations charities you may be involved with or anything felt went unsaid or un asked?

I have to promote my buddies company where I am currently working - Action Sports Canopies. We produce a wide-variety of custom event marketing items including – Canopies, Flags, Banners, Trade Show Displays, etc… Check out our website –www.actionsportscanopies.com. The website will look much better in a few weeks after we launch our redesign!!!

The story of how I met Matt (aka Nacho) was very interesting. I was watching an episode of X-Treme 4x4 on Spike TV that had WyoTech students working on a shop project. During the episode, I see a guy wearing Rubicon Express sweatshirt. So, I call my buddy who owned Rubicon Express and told him there was a WyoTech student wearing his logo for the entire episode. What I didn’t know… my buddy called WyoTech after he saw the episode to find who this student was. Well, this WyoTech students name happened to be Matt Barton. My buddy gets Matt on the phone to thank him for wearing the shirt on camera and asked him if he needed any more shirts or Jeep parts… and Matt being Matt… he turned the phone call into job interview and gets hired at Rubicon Express.

A year or two goes by and I meet Matt at the Rubicon shop and he seems like a cool guy (remember - I still don’t know about the phone call and job interview). But, it wasn’t until the second or third time we met that the story of the X-Treme 4x4 episode comes up… and I see Matt’s eyes perk up and he says “YOU’RE THE FRIEND THAT SAW ME WEARING THE SHIRT ON TV”!!! So, in a nutshell… I am one small piece of the puzzle that helped Matt get his first job in his post-WyoTech life.

CHAS "THE FORKLIFT" FRALICH
 
Chas, man, so glad you agreed to participate in this crazy thing I am doing. Thank you, man!
 
                If you’ve ever seen the Green Mile and remember Michael Clark Duncan’s character this would pretty much sum up Chas the FORKLIFT Fralich. A Mountain of man with the heart of gold.
 
                The TORC off road seasons of 2013-2014 for myself and the GUNK Racing team was pivotal for us. We were fairly low budget by other team’s standards and in need of desperate and reliable help. Reliable here being the key word. Everyone and their uncle wants to go racing, wants be on a race team, tells you about all the dreams and aspirations they have and how they must be a part of the “big show!” Until it comes time to put in the work. Then crickets, your phone stops ringing your so-called buddies start screening your calls, and only seem to come around after the cooler has opened. Going into to season I was fully aware of the race help paradox, but still desperately needed someone good to count on and help us out. Arie reached out to a fellow racer, who lives and grew up in the northern Wisconsin area, and recommended this guy Chas, and gives us his phone number with the instructions of, he is a good solid dude, and trust me if things go sideways, or you need something stupid heavy moved, you’ll be glad he’s on your team.  I forget where I was at the time, but it was pretty late back in Crandon when I called, like 10 o’clock or so, coupled that with the fact that I have a Northern California phone number I totally expected to have to leave a voicemail. Which, made me nervous… we were racing in Chas’ town in a week, and most guys have to check with work, or wives or someone, and typical call back time in these situations always seemed like it was average of about 4 days. Cutting it way to close to drive 9 hrs. to race on a wing and prayer for some track help. But no!! this guy answered the phone!!! He Actually picked up! I was shocked, and truthfully it left me a bit unprepared, lol.
 
                So, I asked him the same basic questions, of skill sets, and history of what he had done, and who he raced with, standard issue questions. He seemed good, sincere in his love of the sport and honest with me in his skill set abilities. See the other problem you run into is a lot racing is guys want to get in so bad they blow smoke and puff up the old resume in order to try and fool you into thinking they’re are something they are not. And it was amazingly refreshing to hear someone give you the straight truth, and even down play their abilities a bit. Chas was a straight shooter from the get go. Huge points in my book. I didn’t and still don’t need a guy who “thinks” he can build the Taj Mahal but never has and will tell you did. All I want is a guy who is teach able, can teach me a thing or two when he does what he does, and someone honest enough to tell me he doesn’t know when NIETHER of us has a clue what to do. And calm enough to sit back and help figure it together. That was, and still is Chas, day in and day out. Solid as the rock he was built out of.
 
                 I know when it comes to racing, and getting things done, I am not to easiest guy to work with. I put unrealistic expectations on myself, and thus high standards on the guys around me. And Chas Buddy, I apologize now for some of those days when I let the stress get to me, and I was super quiet, or tended to be short and over concise with my answers. But this is where I get back to Michael Clark Duncan from the green mile, here is Chas, and absolute monster of a man, could easily crush my head and throw my 275lb frame across the pit if he wanted to. But when the pressure was on, we as a team where put under the gun, he remained chill, calm and collected, he picked up the pace and hustled without hesitation. He could read and feel the urgency in the situation. Which always calmed me down a touch, took some of the pressure away from me having to worry if things will get done in time. And best of all he was teachable, if I had a specific way of doing something he never questioned why, except to learn and ask questions about the how and why I wanted something done a certain way so he could understand the mechanics of it all. Which calmed me down even further in the crunch times. Here is a guy who already knows most of what I am already telling him, but wants to learn the team’s way of doing things. Wants to learn period. You know it’s really hard to be a teacher when the clock is always ticking, and the next race is right around the corner, sometimes it’s easier to just say forget it and do it yourself. But watching him out of the corner of my eye while on the other side of the car, Chas made me a better racer, and better crew chief, it taught me patience, patience because he deserved it, patience because he cared. He made learn to slow down and articulate my thoughts better, he taught me better planning and delegation skills because as fast as he would grow into a new roll in the team he equally as fast grows out of it, taking on more and more responsibility and asking for more each day. And the more we worked together the closer we became as friends. A strange thing happens when you throw a bunch of people into over stressful situations lasting for days on end. You either grow into the best of friends or kill each other, there’s no middle ground, and luckily for me, we grew together.
 
Almost anyone who knows me knows I work like mad man at times, and if I give my word something will be done, it will be done, end of story. What that means in racing is, a lot of sleepiness nights. I don’t just mean a few nights where you might get 3-4hrs of sleep, I’m talking shop sessions to make a race turn around where you might have to stay awake for 48-72hrs before you hit the road. This can bring the biggest and toughest guys and turn them into sniveling little children, begging to go home, or worse turn them into angry aggressive I don’t give a fuck how this gets put together monsters. But Chas, Chas handled that stuff like the champion he is today. Never once complaining, or asking when we were leaving the shop. There where multiple times, when I see him start to “bonk” and I had to make him leave to go shower up and catch a few hours’ sleep, and he refused!
 
“Chas, why don’t you go ahead and run up to the house man, get a good shower on you and go sleep for a bit.”
“oh, ok, are we done for night? What about….? And …..?, we going to finish those up tomorrow?”
“No, we gotta get those done to tonight to stay on schedule.”
“Yeah, I figured, so what are you going to do?”
“stay and work for a while.”
“Fuck that, if you’re not leaving neither am I, were a team, and I’m staying till we get this done!”
 
I hadn’t had much of that in the guys I had hired locally to come help me at the shop here at home. I wasn’t quite sure how to take that level of commitment from a guy. On one hand, I knew if I made him leave we wouldn’t make it on time. On the other hand, I took it as my duty to look after my guys, and make sure I didn’t burn them out, or put them in unsafe situations of exhaustion. But how could I deny someone as committed to cause as I was any chance to be the reason for success, which was the fairer thing to do, be friend and look after his physical wellbeing, or let him run himself to the ground in pursuit of something great? Chas was a winner to the bone. Knows the amount of hard work and commitment it takes to get to the top and is willing to take it all on. And that’s exactly what he did the next year.
 
Being as I said earlier, by standard racing practices, we were a smaller budget team. And thus, could only afford to pay Chas for a week or two per race date. And as you’ll read later his mother is the most important person in his life, and my god what a sweet giving woman! Love you Chas’ mom! I hope I’m not over indulging here, but Chas always showed just greatest amount love and support and respect for his mom. Always trying to make sure she had everything she needed and didn’t have to worry about anything. And I know he always spoke of the personal goal of making sure he could provide well enough for her that she never had to work and how much he wanted to return the favor to her, for her sacrifice of giving him so much to him growing up. I don’t know if I have ever met someone so away of the sacrifices other people have made for them, and burning desire to return that favor. (Such a noble humble selfless cause he is constantly working for).  And when offered a full-time position with his lifelong friend and home town local racer there was no way to fault him for leaving, after talking to him later, I explained I was excited for him to move on and the possibilities that lie ahead for him. His level of passion for the sport, dedication to learning the intricacies of a race truck and the pursuit to make it a full-time job, ended up giving him exactly what all his hard work and selfless dedication deserved. A TORC OFF-ROAD CHAMPIONSHIP, working with one of the best drivers in the series of Keegan Kincaid. And Chas will forever be able to hold on the memories and go down in the history books with his family as the true Champion he is. You are a part of something great that we all are chasing and it’s something no one can ever take away from you Brother!
Chas “Forklift” Fralich, you Sir are the embodiment, of selfless sacrifice to others, and an the utmost example of loyalty. And I, as well as many, many others are proud to call you my friend! I Salute you, and cheers you to many more years together! I love you man.
 
People that selfless and dedicated to another person are almost impossible to find. I cherish our time working together and try to become the level of selfless giving you seem to make look so easy!
 
12 QUESTIONS WITH CHAS:
 
 

1. Please provide a brief history of yourself, where you were born/grew up. Or anything else relevant to your unique path that will help people understand where you came from.

 Charles Fralich I was born in Memphis, TN, but raised in Crandon Wisconsin my whole life. Growing up my mom played the role of mother and father. She had "put the fear of God" in me at a very young age. I grew up around the Mecca of off road racing Crandon International off-road race way! Growing up I had family that raced, one in particular my cousin Jack Flannery. Who is now in the off-road hall of fame. Most kids looked forward towards Christmas each year, but for me it was Labor Day race weekend.
 
 
 

1. WHAT LED YOU TO CHOOSE THE CAREER/LIFE THAT YOU LEAD TODAY?

 I always loved off road racing. So, I eventually wanted to do something that involved the sport in my life all year round. I went to college after high school played two years of football there and studied Criminal justice. I had first worked with Nick Baumgartner who raced pro lite at the time, then the next year Nick wasn't for sure if he would be racing so he passed my number along to Arie Jr. and that is where I met Matt Barton. Him and Arie both took a chance on me to live out one of my dreams and that is to wrench on a professional race truck. Eventually we had parted ways after about a year and a half. I had them went to work for Keegan Kincaid on his pro-2 who I have been with since 2015. Now I have decided to actually presume a career. In the Criminal Justice field and have accepted a full-time Jailer/ Dispatcher position in my hometown of Crandon. I do plan on making some off road events this year with my new job. But there is just more Stability and more room for advancement for the career I have chosen.
 
 
 

1. WHAT MATTERS MOST TO YOU, WHAT WOULD YOU FIGHT FOR WITH YOUR LAST DYING BREATH?

Aaron Lewis said "That the biggest things in life are your friends and family" and I stand by that 100%. I would honestly go to war to protect my friends and family! 
 

1.  GROWTH OFTEN COMES FROM PAIN, WHAT PAINFULL SITUATION ARE YOU NOW MOST GRATEFUL FOR? OR – WAS THERE A PIVOTAL MOMENT IN YOUR LIFE LEADING YOU TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW

The most painful situation that I am most grateful is something I prefer not to talk about, but, had definitely helped shaped me into the person I am today!
 
 

1. WHAT DRIVES YOU OUT OF BED EACH DAY? WHAT REALLY MOTIVATES YOU TO DO WHAT YOU DO?

 The fact that I can always be better than I was yesterday. Being successful in life is what motivates me the most to do what I do.
 
 

1. FEAR CAN BE AN EQUALLY GOOD MOTIVATOR, IS THERE ANYTHING IN LIFE YOU ARE CONSTANTLY WORKING AWAY FROM? (I personally strive and work to keep myself away from mediocrity and the fear of blending in with the masses)

Being a failure at life, and a fear of not living every day to its fullest. 
 
 

1. IN THE QUITE MOMENTS ALONE, WHERE DOES YOUR HEAD/HEART GO? WHAT QUESTIONS ARE YOU ASKING YOURSELF IN YOUR PURSUIT?

 For the most part I just keep thinking of ways I can better myself and the people around me. As for questions on my pursuit I don't really have any at the moment. Maybe what is the true meaning of the "American Dream" or "Living the dream"? 
 

1.  IF TOMORROW WAS YOUR LAST DAY, WHAT WOULD YOUR LASTING LEGACY BE, WHAT DO YOU HOPE IT TO BE? DO YOU HAVE ONE RIGHT NOW?

 If tomorrow was my last day I would have to say that I would want my legacy to be live life to the fullest and live each day like it would be your last. Don't be afraid to fail sometimes and continue to make advances and doing what's best for number 1 in your life which is yourself!
 
 

1. WHO IN YOUR LIFE HAS HAD THE GREATEST IMPACT?

 My Mother has defiantly had the most impact in my life.
 

1. WHAT ARE YOUR CORE VALUES? EVERYDAY LIFE IS TOUGH, AND WE’RE CONSTANTLY FACED WITH DECISIONS. WHAT FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS GUDE YOU?

 As my mother having the most impact in my life she has showed me all the core values I have today. Work hard, treat people the way you want to be treated, everyday isn't guaranteed so be the best person you can. Always help others in need because one day you might need help yourself. I believe that God gives back tenfold to what you give to him. I'm blessed and very fortunate to live the life I live!
 
 

1. LASTLY, IS THERE ANYTHING LEFY ON YOUR LIST OF TO DO’S? WHAT IS THE BIGGEST ONE YOU NEED TO ACCOMPLISH? WHATS LONG TERM FOR YOU?

One of the biggest things I want to accomplish in my life is buying a house and eventually settling down in my home town. I also want to go back to school to try and become a police officer.
 

1. USE THIS SPACE TO PROMOTE ANYTHING YOU ARE INVOLVED WITH, SUCH CHARATIES AND ORGANIZATIONS. OR ANYTHING YOU FEEL WENT UNASKED YOU NEED TO GET OFF YOUR CHEST

 I want to thank everyone that God has put along my path, especially all my friends and family you all know who you are!!! 
 

​*Disclaimer, out of respect and at the request of the person involved they have asked for reasons of personal privacy to have their name reduced to only initials. It is extremely important that everyone reading this respect that wish, and help them remain anonymous through any comments or re-posting of this story. Thank you, enjoy!
 
Warm summer sun, fresh cut grass, sitting on a football field that was literally carved into the side of a mountain at 6300 ft. elevation. Sitting butts on the ground legs out, stretching our muscles in anticipation of what drills the coaches were going to run that day, and who was going to deliver the biggest hit during drills. Six or seven oversized high school kids stretching out sitting in a circle waiting for practice to start as we laughed, told jokes, lies and bullshitted about the day’s event of school. Those were some of my first memories of meeting BC for the first time. But the real story goes back just a little bit further than that. But only by a few weeks.
            I had just moved to South lake Tahoe in the summer between my sophomore and junior year. I was pretty broken up about the move coming into the summer. After living in a place my whole life, having known and grown up with everyone I went school with, and in the beginning of developing my athletic reputation, and having all that lost moving into a new town, a new geography and complete new set of people. I wasn’t thrilled to say the least. And for those of you who thought high school in general was cliquey, a football team can be much worse to break into. Sure, once you’re in your in. and through the hardships, pain and sometimes punishment, most of the guys grow in a cohesive unit, but you always have the one or two guys that just never quite fit it and seem excluded from the rest. I had never had that problem before, but I had heard of the Vikings, and the championships they had won, and I knew for sure they played some of the toughest teams in the state of Nevada. I was tough kid, and moved to varsity early in my last school, but, was I tough enough to play real ball with these guys? I don’t care who you are, as a 15-16 yr. old kid you think about these things, you haven’t been on earth long enough to develop a full sense of self confidence and most of the time it comes off as bravado anyways.
 At the begging of each summer camp it’s customary to start off strength and conditioning training with max weight tests. Core lifts like bench, squat, power clean, etc. The big heavy power lifting actives. It not only tracks your progress through the year but lets the coach know who’s been slacking off during summer break. As we are all dong our things in the weight room trying to impress each other and most importantly the coaches, in comes BC, or the tales of BC to be more accurate, lol. As I’m going through tests and working in with guys getting acquainted for the first time, and for all intents and purposes also sizing these guys up, paying attention to who’s lifting what, to see where I stand with this new group, I over hear chatting and random stories about him, BC. You see, he wasn’t at camp quite yet. This kid was at the junior Olympics for weightlifting right now! Uh, what was that you just said?
 
“Oh yeah, a guy on the team went away for the summer to compete in the junior Olympics for weight lifting. See, he’s right here on the wall!”
The wall was a plaque with the school’s highest records for various lifts, and his name was high up at the top.
 
“yeah man, BC’s crazy strong, He did some other competitions and did so good, he got invited to some competition hosted by Arnold Schwarchenegger, and is on the US Jr Olympic team!”
 
“wow, that’s pretty bad ass! What position does he play?”
 
“D line and nose tackle!”
 
Fuuuuuuuuuuuck……. That’s the position I play!
 
BC finally came back from his competition, and for the life of me can’t remember how he did, sorry dude. But what I remember most wat that I was expecting a giant behemoth of a man child to walk through the door. But what I saw instead was a kid, maybe an inch or so shorter than me, with curly hair almost in a small white boy ‘fro, and a huge smile followed up by this thunderously contagious laugh that always comes from way down deep in his gut. And legs! This dude’s leg was the size of tree trunks, no joke.  But the most amazing thing was that as big as his accolades were and a humungous as I expected his physical stature to be his Joyful exuberant personality was far and away the largest thing in the room.
 
            I can’t remember exactly when we started hanging out, it just sort of happened, a lot like most of my friendships I guess. But I always remember the two of us headed up the mountains to fishing watching him ask me for a dip and willingly take a chew from my can of Copenhagen only to watch him every time make a face that made him grimace like he was eating shit. Hahahaha still makes me laugh every time.  Me playing my favorite country cd’s for him and then him introducing me to and playing all his favorite Stevie Wonder songs. Castle in the Sky was always his favorite, I never forget it, and can’t to this day listen to Stevie without thinking of him.
 I didn’t recognize it as kid but BC has an old soul. I mean who other than an old soul jammed out to Stevie Wonder and James Taylor at 16 in the 90’s!
 
Later that year, our junior year, he became one of the very few RIDE OR DIE brothers a person will ever be lucky enough to have in life. I had gotten myself mixed up into a pretty bad gang fight against a large number of guys, while standing up for a fellow friend and teammate. This fight was so intense it literally had a half time, which ironically was the school bell. To give you the shortened version (the full story will have to be in a later blog post), the school bell rang and we all just kind of stopped fighting, half from the exhaustion, but also half from the now hundred or so students standing around watching this mess unfold, there were now about 3 of us, my friends and I, fighting no less than 15 people! This is no bullshit! It startled the crap out of me to see how many of them there where when I finally looked around.  I walked into a classroom to grab a piece of paper to stuff up my bloodied nose from where I had been kicked in the face while on top of another guy. Only to come right back out to find one of the kids holding a wooden 2x4 like a baseball bat. Another friend of mine to stepped in to help save my ass from the lopsided numbers was standing in front of him egging him on to swing. At that Moment…. I see BC walking through the crowd on his way to class talking to a girl, when he realizes what’s happening, looks at us, looks at the kid, and in one fail swoop without ANY hesitation, drops his back pack, sprints in from the side and lights this kid up!!!!! He Delivered a form tackle that would make Bill Romanowski, and water boy jealous!!! Hands wrapped up around his knees, full de-cleater, with a pile driving shoulder to follow through. The fight resumed after that and it’s safe to say without the details we won that battle. And although a lot of bad came out of that scenario for me in particular. I ultimately got expelled that year and arrested with assault and battery.
 
I will never forget BC putting his future, and his safety into harm’s way for me.
 
Into adulthood we both settled down or at the very least calmed down a touch from our much younger testosterone filled youthful selves. And started attending college and working into adult life. BC eventually found his way into a school for Chinese medicine and acupuncture, (which you will read about later in his own words) and began coming home with these amazing healing techniques and skills. Practicing on me and our friends occasionally, I always loved when someone new or a non-believer would become interested enough to get on his table in interest, and of course they always came out of the room amazed that it worked, it always worked! To which he would reply, “Well of course it works, this form of healing has been practiced for thousands of years for reason.”  
 
After finishing schooling, he worked as an acupuncturist out of a chiropractors’ office for felt like a week before going out on his own! I’m sure it was closer to a year or just after that long but definitely not what seemed like long enough to take the plunge into business ownership, all while carrying student loans and other debts.
He called me on the phone one day super excited, his naturally loud boisterous voice booming through my phone speaker.
 
“Hey B, I’m gunna do it man I just got back from the bank!”
“gunna do what?”
“I’m starting my own clinic, I went to the bank got a loan while my credit is still good consolidate everything under it and am starting my own practice!!!” I’m not 100 percent sure how I going to pay all this money back just yet but I know I can make it work!!! How cool is this?!”
 
Truth is we all thought he was a little bit crazy taking such a huge risk so early, but he acted like he knew something we didn’t, and never showed much stress at all when talking about it. He started small, made money and then found another office, the one he is still in today, again the same story.
 
“Hey B! I just signed the lease to a new building, you gotta come check it out! it’s pretty expensive, really its more than I can afford, but I’ll make it work!”
“Are you sure man? What if it doesn’t work?”
“I don’t think about that, I just know that I have too, and at this point I’m locked in, so what choice do I have!”
 
Well he quickly grew into this new building, and even more quickly became the areas most recognized acupuncturists and Chinese medical clinics. Proud doesn’t even begin to describe the word.
 
Now married, with a kid another phone call,
 
“Hey B, !!!! Dude guess what?! I’m buying a house?!” his trademark loud guttural laugh! “this place is Amazing! The wife and and I just fell in love with it and had to have it.”
 
“What?!! No way man that’s epic! Congrats!”
 
“Yeah, thanks, it was just really a place we see ourselves growing old in, plus it’s got a separate guest room when you, or my parents, or who ever come to town to stay in! it’s prefect!” I don’t know how I am going to afford the mortgage on this place, but we has to do it!”
 
 
Again…. Same old BC. “I don’t know how, but I know I will attitude”
He is now one of the, if not THE leading acupuncturist’s in the valley, is currently running two offices seeing patients, and just told me last week he’s planning on expanding to a 3rd office by the begging of next year.
 
What most people don’t know, and not sure if BC himself is aware of this, but he, more than any person is the reason I am in business for myself today. I definitely was not ready financially, and definitely wasn’t a business man. But he proved to me that there’s never a perfect time to jump, you just jump. Gravity will take over the rest. And when faced with the ground rushing faster and faster towards you, if you want it badly enough you’ll find a way to land on your feet.
 
 
 I have always admired his sense of confidence, so un apologetic for being truly great and masterful and something or for being himself. But he always presents it to the world in the humblest of ways. Which is one the main reasons he made this list of 30. I know that as your grow older the years and time seem to speed up, but BC seemed to gain the knowledge of this ancient art of healing so quickly and so completely, in no time at all, and it was amazing how well it fit him, in every aspect of his personality. The confidence to make a patient feel relaxed, the patience to work through their problems, the empathy to feel and identify the pain and discomfort they feel. It’s a very surreal moment in life when you walk into a waiting room to find your childhood friend being praised and thanked so overwhelmingly by someone he has helped. It makes you realize that your friend is much bigger in the world than just as your friend, just BC. And makes you feel slightly selfish for trying to keep him that box. To many people, he’s a savoir, a relief from constant pain, a light of hope when other avenues of medicine have failed to help them. It’s very humbling in the best kind of ways to see that first hand. It makes you realize that no matter our stature in life, how famous, how rich, how powerful, there will always been the great equalizer of pain. We all hurt the same, and experience the same fears of the unknown when we are hurt and don’t know how to fix it, and in times of great pain it can cripple us to a small child reaching for help. And it’s a very, very, cool sight to witness one of your friends owning the compassion, and skill set to remedy these people. And it really makes me feel truly blessed to call him BROTHER. He is so much more than a friend anymore, and will never be a friend again. He’s family, he’s blood.
 
BC you sir, are the embodiment of self-confidence, fearlessness, and fortitude! I Salute you my friend, may we have many more years together!
I love you Brother!
 
 
12 Questions with BC:
 
 
 
 
Hey B, here is the answers to the questions you are seeking.  Thanks for thinking of me, I am happy to hear your appreciation of our friendship, I appreciate your kind words and glad to have been a positive influence in your life.  We are brought to together for so many reasons in life and I have always been proud to have called you my friend.
 
 
 
 
 

1.   Please provide a brief history of yourself, where you were born/grew up. Or anything else relevant to your unique path that will help people understand where you came from.

I was born in Sacramento, California on July 26th 1980 at 1150 am.  My mom used to say, "Just in time for Lunch and you never stopped eating” We had a family of 4, mom, dad, sister and myself.  I was fortunate to grow up in a family with no divorce, which I never realized until much older that it was beginning to be a rarity.  My parents raised us well, not with riches and material things (as we were a very modest lower middle class family) but with lots love, tough love, structure and discipline.  They sent us to private catholic school which I never new how much of sacrifice that was for them.  They were very set on showing us the importance of school and education despite being parents who never went to college.  My dad was a self-employed wall paper man, and my mom was a stay home mother until she began working at our school as the secretary when i was in 2nd grade.  My parents took in my Grandma for the last several years of her life, she passed when I was in 4th grade.  I was thankful for having that experience, not only for another parental figure, but for us to experience the importance of family, the elderly, and a little taste of the old ways of life when families stayed close together and helped take care of one another.  She died on Mother’s Day which is a bit ironic because my Grandfather who I never met, died on Father’s Day when my mother was 16 years of age. When I was young I had my first eye surgery at the age of 4, and ended up having several more throughout my childhood.  (I was born cross eyed).  I played all the standard sports but also studied martial arts which I believe was a big influence for me later in life as I eventually became a Chinese medical doctor.
 
When I was beginning middle school my family and I relocated to south lake Tahoe which was a big deal at the time, not only transitioning from a catholic private school to public school, but facing the adversity of change losing and leaving home behind to create a new one.  it was difficult at first but as with all things as time went on I developed friendships and a general liking for my new home and town.  Growing up in Tahoe especially looking back now was great. very different from the big city, the small-town life really allowed for a closeness with friends that many have been with me until this very day.
 
 
2.WHAT LED YOU TO CHOOSE THE CAREER/LIFE THAT YOU LEAD TODAY?
 I touched upon this with the previous question.  I was beginning my college career and searching for something to study and choose as a carrier. I was in Oregon at the time playing some small-town college football and experiencing life independently for the first time. As much as I enjoyed health and fitness through the lens of an athlete I knew there would come a time that I would be done with sports and done with the traditional view of health (work outs and constant diets). At the time a Doctor named Andrew Wiel was writing alternative health books and becoming really popular nationally.  I read one of his books, "8 weeks to optimal health" where he spoke very highly of Chinese medicine and acupuncture. at the time, the internet was just becoming popular (back with dial up internet connection, almost seems archaic now). I did a web search and discovered there was colleges that specialized in it.  At that point I stayed focus on completing the school prerequisites to enroll and at 21,( the youngest acceptable age) I was off to become a Chinese doctor.  in hind sight my martial art influence at a young age as well as my uncle introducing me to mediation set a foundation for me to value and appreciate the Chinese cultural arts.
 
 
3.WHAT MATTERS MOST TO YOU, WHAT WOULD YOU FIGHT FOR WITH YOUR LAST DYING BREATH?
 At this stage of my life I am focused on three major things. first is my relationship with my teachers and learning and cultivating myself through his family lineage, mastery and oral transmitted teachings. Secondly is my wife and son and showing them the best life I can. Lastly my career, as both acupuncturist and a business owner.
 

1. GROWTH OFTEN COMES FROM PAIN, WHAT PAINFULL SITUATION ARE YOU NOW MOST GRATEFUL FOR? OR – WAS THERE A PIVOTAL MOMENT IN YOUR LIFE LEADING YOU TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW

 Difficult to pin point just one.  The hard work, dedication, accountability that I learned through my parents at young age.  the adversity of being picked on and teased do to being born with crossed eyes through childhood, moving and relocating, having different love interests and relationships that I was able to learn and grow from, and lastly, even having experienced a level of sexual abuse that kept me guarded and closed for many years until I was able to face it head on accept it for what it was and how it helped shape me.
 
 

1. WHAT DRIVES YOU OUT OF BED EACH DAY? WHAT REALLY MOTIVATES YOU TO DO WHAT YOU DO?

Initially just the idea of being successful and having a career that is fulfilling, rewarding and I could make a good comfortable living. Now it’s almost easier in a way because I have a family that I need to support and care for.  And lastly but not the least by any means is the discovery of self and striving to allow my true self to be express and realized which largely comes for the influence of my teacher and spiritual practice.
 
 
6.FEAR CAN BE AN EQUALLY GOOD MOTIVATOR, IS THERE ANYTHING IN LIFE YOU ARE CONSTANTLY WORKING AWAY FROM? (I personally strive and work to keep myself away from mediocrity and the fear of blending in with the masses)
I don't carry much fear, at least I don’t think so or maybe willing to admit. but the emotions I try to avoid and stay clear of is self-abuse, self-destruction, and perhaps a lack of self-love.  I think these things are themes I have carried with me for many years, dating back to childhood.  But with the guidance of my teacher and spiritual focus on bettering myself and life these strong feelings have been chipped away and are not the powerful over whelming emotions I once lived with.
 
 
7.IN THE QUITE MOMENTS ALONE, WHERE DOES YOUR HEAD/HEART GO? WHAT QUESTIONS ARE YOU ASKING YOURSELF IN YOUR PURSUIT?
 Who am I, what and why am I here in this body, in this time and with the people I am around. what does it mean, if anything at all and will I ever truly see me or accept me for who I truly am.
 
 
8.IF TOMORROW WAS YOUR LAST DAY, WHAT WOULD YOUR LASTING LEGACY BE, WHAT DO YOU HOPE IT TO BE? DO YOU HAVE ONE RIGHT NOW?
Still too young to have a legacy, nor do I really think of striving for one, however if or when I am ready to die. I hope my son will acknowledge me as a good father and my wife loves me just as much when we first met, now and when we are old and ready to let go of this life.
 
 
9.WHO IN YOUR LIFE HAS HAD THE GREATEST IMPACT?
There have been many people who have touched my life along the way, parent’s teachers, coaches etc. but now my teacher for sure. I have been a student for 6 years now, and my life has improved and changed in so many beautiful ways. it’s hard to explain to most but it’s an experience that perhaps I have had before or at least have been seeking for quite some time. Crazy, but maybe even lifetimes!
 
10.WHAT ARE YOUR CORE VALUES? EVERYDAY LIFE IS TOUGH, AND WE’RE CONSTANTLY FACED WITH DECISIONS. WHAT FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS GUDE YOU?
That's a tough one I suppose just because it can be answered many different ways and one could right pages upon pages of this proud topic.  I guess I will say this.  my teacher recently gave a lecture to us students during our Chinese New Year celebration. 1). to accept that my life is impermanent and that each moment is precious and our time here on earth is limited so enjoy it. 2) accept there is only one thing in life that we can control and that is ourselves and how we choose to accept our suffering and respond to how life unfolds for us rather than controlling and going against life or the Way of Life, and 3) to be able to accept that when things go wrong or things are not how we want them to be or someone or something is harming or making our lives difficult that we can look inwardly and accept the responsibility of our own doing in cause the circumstance we so eagerly want to push away and blame others or quickly justify with delusional excuses.
 
 
11.LASTLY, IS THERE ANYTHING LEFY ON YOUR LIST OF TO DO’S? WHAT IS THE BIGGEST ONE YOU NEED TO ACCOMPLISH? WHATS LONG TERM FOR YOU?
 I don't have a bucket list per-say. my life is two focused on the basics things of family career etc. I just hope one day to still be a student of my teacher and to have allowed myself the ability to simply follow, trust, and be ok with no control. I hope I can retire young with a good amount of money to be comfortable. I hope I can sit back one a day and truly appreciate the simplicity and beauty that life has offer us. I also would like to see my son successful and help be a grandparent one day.  I Know it’s not flashy, but to be content with eating, sleeping and shitting.
 
 
12.USE THIS SPACE TO PROMOTE ANYTHING YOU ARE INVOLVED WITH, SUCH AS CHARATIES AND ORGANIZATIONS. OR ANYTHING YOU FEEL WENT UNASKED YOU NEED TO GET OFF YOUR CHEST
 Not sure, But just as I begin to speak, as the questions unfolded. I have to give credit for my life and my happiness to my teachers.  They are incredible, I know it’s not common in the west or even in modern times to fallow a teacher and lineage, but I without hesitation can say without them my life would not be same. it would be full of way more suffering and I would not be as healthy and happy as I am right now answering questions and living a simple basic honest life.
 
Hopefully this is helpful to you and others, Hopefully I was able to meet the expectations of your vision in creating this idea.
 
Let’s talk soon buddy

​3:30 am the alarm goes off its time to get up. Anyone who knows me, knows…. I am not a morning person. But my friends and team owner are waiting downstairs of my studio for me so we can all catch our 4:45 flight to Boise and start the Northwest tour of the King of the wing national sprint car series.
 
Landing in Boise is reprieve from the of the Midwest humidity that makes the summer heat un-escapable, and the views of mountains, pine trees, and the high desert remind me of home. Coupled with the excitement of another race weekend, needless to say I am eager to get going and turn some wrenches.
 
Most of the excitement is the added pressure from fact that the first leg of our four-day tour kicks off at Meridian Speedway. Not only is Meridian the home town for the Hamilton family, but Kenny Hamilton also used to own this track. And up until this weekend only two of the 3 Hamilton generations have earned the top spot here. “Dj” the youngest of the clan and Davey’s son has raced here many times but has yet to win like his grandfather and Dad before him.
 
A quick stop at taco time quickly became a nostalgic lunch, reminiscent of times riding dirt bikes in a field across the street where the outback steak house and strip mall now reside, and the time the same field caught fire when Davey and the “boys” tried cigarettes for the first time and the trouble that followed from said fire. After lunch, the road to Kenny’s shop was littered with stories, as the houses of childhood friends would enter frame through the window of the rental car, and concluded with stopping to see the shamble Davey’s childhood home had become. Once well groomed, clean and quaint, was now over grown with weeds, a half dead lawn full of trash with a rusted out school bus parked in the front yard, and tin foil duct tape covering the windows of the house. “Man,” he says, “The people who live there now really let it go huh?! The one thing I always wanted to do if I had enough money was buy that old house and fix it up so it’s like it used to be, but now look at it…what a shame.”
 
The jaunt through the neighborhood, the people stopping by our table as we ate lunch, the funny child hood stories, and the different emotions visibly painted on Davey’s face as we drove around, not only made me happy of getting to know my close friend better, but also, filled me with my own sense of home sickness and nostalgia, further settling the fact that this was much more than just another race for our team. This was a home coming! Hell, the race was actually called “the Pink Lady Classic”, a race named after Kenny Hamilton’s personal car The Pink Lady, a car built in the 60’s and at the age of 74 he still races and gasses up hard today!
 
Choosing to lead the life of a professional racer in any facet, whether it be mechanic or driver, makes it easy to lose a sense of where home really is. Your calendar only becomes a count down clock between the next race and the next city. Monday or Saturday, 6am and 8pm hold no real value anymore. Days only become an abstract of how much time is left to get the car finished and loaded on the trailer, your only concern is to be in (insert city) on (insert day), because practice starts that afternoon.
 
 The everyday routine most people find foundation in, is sacrificed and buried in rental car agreements, hotel confirmations, boarding passes, fuel receipts and race schedules. And taking hold is a gypsy life of a rolling suite case, knowing which hotels are better, and the best restaurant between here and the track become the normal conversation topics as the hauler arrives and teammates off load from various travel methods. You also become plagued by the same question every week of, “where you guys from?” which becomes a verbal explanation of where you currently live -vs- where you grew up, and where your family is. Which in turn becomes a philosophical battle in your own mind of what “home” really means, and leads to, how you are from one part of the country but your teammate is from somewhere else. And you begin to find solace and comfort in this band of floaters who on any given weekend choose to join you in a common pursuit of chasing victory. The shared bonds in the victory and hardship of the sleepless work filled nights, shared hotel rooms, group meals, cramped vehicles, and lack of alone time as you travel from town to town begin to forge you into a makeshift family of its own right. You begin to know what a guy’s sleeping habits are, what he likes and dislikes, you begin to recognize when he’s exhausted or when he’s about to break down and you know you have to pick up some of his share because he has, and would do again the same for you. And then it turns into this thing, this thing that takes on its own emotion and character and you start to lean on each other the way a traditional family does.
 
But…. make no mistake, this is no complaint about my life, although the lord knows I’ve tried other avenues, this is the only “life” I fit into, that I am good at, and that I love. But this life isn’t for everyone.
 
I’m only trying to set the stage and make my case for the fact that hometown races like this are needed once in a while. Because we all need to go “home” from time to time, it helps us gypsies gain a sense of grounded-ness. And when you have a home coming such as this it makes all the hard work, time away and sacrifices 100% worth it when you get do and show off your passion and life’s work in front of your mom, dad, cousins and old friends. It helps to fill you with a sense of accomplishment and pride when you see the joy your work brought to all those who are close to you. And then, my favorite part happens right after the race. Everyone storms the pits in fevered anticipation, to take a picture standing with the car you built, to meet the driver, and the chance to recount their favorite parts of the race and how full of animated excitement they get when they talk about the lap when you passed someone or almost crashed but saved it. It’s in that moment, that I realize that in my own skewed view of the world that racing is a little bigger than just me, just my driver, and just my team. It brings people together in one place with one mindset and everyone wants to take part in it somehow.  And best of all you got to do it with the people you grew up with and helped shaped you into what you are today. And this weekend I got to live that through the eyes of the Hamilton family.
 
So until I get to go back to California and race in front of my own family. I want to personally thank the city of Meridian, Idaho and as always, a HUGE thank you to all the Hamilton’s for letting me adopt you into what I call my “Midwest Family”!
 I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today without you. So thank you!
 
 
 
 
Post script follow up:
Davey Hamilton jr. won that night making him the 3rd generation of Hamilton to win at their home track in Meridian. And although each car of our two car team had its own struggles throughout our 3 tracks in 4 days’ marathon. The tour as a whole was great for the GT motorsports/ Lucas oil sponsored team. Once the dust settled and points tallied from the weekend “DJ” is now sitting 1st in national points for the series championship, with driver/teammate Robert Stout sitting close behind in the 3rd spot.
 
 
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