©2001 Dwight Drum
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Photos © by Drum and Larsen
Story by Dwight Drum
Many dollars, much energy, precision resources, overtime, and countless dreams go into a NASCAR team effort. Racing fervor began in the Deep South and has spread along every arrow on the US compass. The Big Show now has more than three dozen venues, and the rumble of motors, aroma of VP 16 fuel, and the veneration of numbers from 1 to 99 crisscross our borders from city to city.
As the racing vitality grows, hundreds of Show Car Drivers take a retired NASCAR stock car to the roads and parking lots across the land….to the Little Shows…the displays outside Big Marts and special events. Show Car Drivers also hook up at the Big Shows, the thrilling NASCAR races, to bring their promotional trailers close to the fans.
Terry Lynch is a Show Car Driver who often takes the Tide name and the Tide car for Procter & Gamble team, and NASCAR to localities, so those removed from a racing venue can get connected. Meet Terry Lynch, an employee of Sports & Promotions, just like we did…on the road.
"I'm a race team member, I wouldn't change that for anything, and I'm away from my family ten months of the year."
What trait or attribute do you admire most in other people?"Dedication. Not one person drives the team to victory. It takes dedication from all members of the teams."
Do you have a nickname?"Plug."
How did you get to be a Show Car Driver?
"Luck."
What mental preparations do you have to do to keep your Show Car ready?"The car has to run. It has to be clean. I have to represent the driver and sponsor the best I can. That takes thought and work."
It's a long road. How do you get up when you get tired, when your performance gets down?"We are on the road a lot...ten months a year. I see a lot of fans. They keep me going. I run into a lot of Ricky Craven fans. If I want to take someone on the road with me I can. I have six daughters. My wife flies in and joins me on the road every four to six weeks."
While we walked through the lobby of the motel, Terry was swarmed by a family group of fans also staying at the motel. I had my camera with me.
Terry was eager to show the family and kids the Tide car. Although tired, Terry fired up the Tide car for the kids, and gave them souvenirs to take home.
Terry also told us the story of how he once saw the delight in the eyes of a young fan, a retarded boy, over and over, and how he had to give the kid souvenirs and more at his own expense.
"My wife."
Are you pleased with life?" Yeah."
What could please you more?"My wife being on the road with me."
When frustrated. What do you do first?"I fly my wife in."
Where do you find the most peace in your life?"Being home in the off season with my family."
Who means the most to you?"My wife and kids. They are big race fans. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be doing the job I'm doing."
What do you worry about the most?"I just don't worry. I try not to."
What's your biggest success so far…Your finest moment?"Gaining a position to be associated with NASCAR Winston Cup."
In a few words, how would you sum up yourself?"I'm as happy as I could be in my job right now. There isn't a better job in the world. NASCAR has become more family oriented in the past ten or fifteen years. The have playgrounds for the kids of racing teams. They have MRO Outreach Church services, and two trailers showing movies to keep the families together. I love being a part of all that."
Additional Comments?"Hundreds of other Show Car Drivers give race car fans a chance to look at a car close up. It's gravy job. The driver gets the publicity. That's great, but most people don't understand what it takes to bring a race car to them. I love doing it. We try to treat the fans and keep their interest up. It's wonderful."
We met Terry Lynch who drives a Tide truck carrying a Tide Car mile after mile…on the road. We hope you meet Terry too, or any of the Show Car Drivers, on a road near you.
