Through the 2008 season, we will be featuring a weekly column spotlighting a driver on the Rolling Thunder Modified tour. This week features another rookie of the year candidate in the form of "The Dragon Slayer" Tony Ingram, driver of the #9 Ford.
#1. How did you get your start in racing?
Tammy, my wife, says it's all my uncle's, Robert Lipford, and my cousin's, Warren Lipford, fault since they've been racing longer than I have. They kept asking when I was going to put a car together and come on out and race with them. My Uncle Robert finally talked me into watching him race in an Enduro race at Southside Speedway. After watching him race, it looked like a lot of fun and I just had to try it.
#2. What honors have you earned so far in your racing career?
At Southside Speedway I received the "Hard Charger's Award" in the Grand Stock Division. I finished 5th in the Points Race in the Grand Stock Division. I and my team took 1st and 2nd place in two different "Chain Race" events" at Southside Speedway and I've also taken 2nd place in the Motor Cross Division at Bodatious, racing in the mud against cars and trucks.
#3. Why did you get into racing?
I couldn't help myself, Robert and Warren seemed to be having too much fun, and they were and still are! Once I tried it ... I was hooked, it's a lot of fun and I love competition. We all work hard and it's great to be able to go out and have some GOOD, CLEAN...well not if you're racing in the mud....FUN!
#4. What other series/divisions in racing have you competed in the past?
I've raced in the Enduro and Grand Stock Divisions at Southside Speedway. I've also raced in the "Chain Race" events at Southside Speedway. Let me explain this one... in this race you have three cars chained to each other. The lead car has the driver, motor and complete drive train....NO BREAKS. The lead car is chained to the second car which has a driver....nothing else. The second car is chained to the third car which has the driver and you quessed it .....BREAKS. I drove the lead car, Uncle Robert drove the second car and Dr D. Decker drove the last car. We had a great team, taking 1st place in one race and 2nd in another. I also run the Motor Cross Division at Bodatious with cars and trucks in the mud.
#5. What do you do as a day job?
I am a self-employed concrete finisher. I have owned and operated Ingram's Concrete Finishing for the past 17 years. We pour driveways, sidewalks, patios, garages, etc. Even after a day with the concrete, you can find me in my garage working on my race cars getting ready to have more fun.
#6. What do you enjoy doing when you're not racing?
I bowl on league with my son and my wife, we go fishing when time is permitting. Most of the time I'm hanging out in the garage messing with the cars with my family.
#7. What does it mean to you to be competing with your son on a regular basis?
Words can't say enough, it means a whole lot. We always compete, whether it be at bowling, fishing, racing, who can finish concrete the best, my son also works with me, or anything else we happen to come up with. It has brought us much closer as Father and Son. We are more like best friends. We not only compete, but we help each other, share information, we even tell each other how we are going to beat the other. I don't know how Tammy puts up with us.
#8. Who has a better shot at winning Rookie of the Year? You or Tony Ingram II?
WELL...the boy can drive, he's not afraid and has great respect for his car and other's too, he also learns fast. BUT I'm looking for that #9 to cross the line first. I am a little partial to the #9. I will say this, when I beat him, I will congradulate him on where he finishes:)
#9. What is the story with the "Dragon Slayer" theme you have with your car?
I've always been fascinated with dragons, they are powerful, mystical, they can FLY and they can breathe fire every once in a while too. I guess you could say I love riding/driving my DRAGON. I'm hoping to have Tammy paint a dragon on the hood of my modified for next season. You can see some of the dragons she's painted on my other race cars at her myspace at www.myspace.com/creativexena
#10. What is the goal for the #9 team this year in your first full season of competition?
I want to be able to go out and have a lot of fun, be safe and learn as much as we can about the cars and tracks that we'll be racing at. It would be really nice to be able to finish in the top EIGHT. As we all can see, at this time, the EIGHTH position is held by the #7. Watch out #7.......DADDY'S COMING :)
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