On this 7-year journey with the No Prep Kings, having the opportunity to participate in this special event has been a wild learning event. This all started when I met with James Goad at PRI, and from that meeting, this crazy adventure came about. I was the new guy, and no one had much time for me, but watching these guys working on their opponent’s cars so they could race them was mind-blowing.
That was my first experience when they were doing street racing. Then I was invited to the No Prep race, and wow, that was a whole new experience. James brought me along for the ride, and I spent much time in his camp meeting people he would introduce me to. After a while, I started moving on to other camps, asking questions and learning more and more about these cars and the men and women who race them. Every year, I have met more and more racers, tuners, crew members, and all the amazing people it takes to make these cars go down the track. They still have this incredible passion to help each other race. I watch Robin Roberts take an engine apart to give Larry Larson parts to race, or Ryan gives someone a pro charger because they were broken and wouldn’t be able to race. I’ve seen James take his car apart to help someone swap out a part, and Jeff Lutz is always welding something for his friends. They’re all about racing, and not one I have had the opportunity to hang out with and meet are selfish people. So many of them work all week long and then fly to the race, spending time either driving, working on the cars, or supporting their team in the commitment to put on the best show for their fans. One dad I talked to this past weekend drives the rig with his daughter, drives to the next race, flies home to work all week, and flies back the following weekend for the race. This is love for the sport and his daughter. Many husband-and-wife teams out there also bring their kids and show them this kind of life that many would envy. I’m not saying being the outsider, they welcomed me in with open arms. It took many years to get to know these guys, but as they saw me every year at most of the races and I was like a bad penny, they couldn’t get rid of me!