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Helping Dan Parker

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Dan ParkerThis post is one that comes with great sadness.

I regularly post different causes that I support, asking for help for things that are important to me, but none have ever hit quite so close to home as this one.

Dan Parker, a wonderful friend and mentor to me for over 10 years now, was seriously injured in a pro modified wreck on March 31, 2012  at Alabama International Raceway in Steele, AL.  Though his limbs and other physical injuries will heal with therapy, he has suffered a life-altering irreversible loss of his eye sight in both eyes.

This is heartbreaking news, as Dan is one of the most talented chassis builders/fabricators and tuners around.  Dan was the person who taught and helped me to cross over into the pro modified world, and I owe so much of my racing experience to him.   He is a great and generous man who has helped countless people.   Words cannot express how saddened I am that this happened.

I’m asking as a personal favor… Dan is going to need some help to get adjusted to all of this.   In addition to your continued thoughts and prayers, he’s really going to need some assistance at home with expenses, as he’ll be unable to return to the work he’s known his entire life.

I’ve been working on some new Horsepower & Heels merch, and I plan to donate some of the proceeds from that to him directly.   But in the mean time, here’s some other ways to help out below.   I’m sure him and his family would greatly appreciate it.

How to Help Dan Parker

Donations are being accepted via paypal at [email protected].   Any amount is appreciated.   Or, you can mail gift cards and other donations directly to  10692 Lee Rd 179  Salem, AL 36874

Golf Cart Raffle

His close friends and several businesses that he’s be associated with over the years have put together a special raffle for a custom EZ-GO golf cart worth over $4,000 complete with custom wheels/tires, custom lights, flip rear seat, and a body color of their choice.   Tickets for the raffle are $100, and all money goes directly to Dan to offset expenses in his time of need.   The raffle winner will be drawn July 2nd at Silver Dollar Raceway following the NWO race, right around Dan’s birthday.

How to Enter

You must send $100 entry as a donation/gift via paypal to [email protected] (Josh Mack, Parker Chassis price checker).  Please include name, address, and phone number(s).     As each donation is received, a ticket number will be issued.

Racing support to our Military

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Race support for our military
Race Support: Keeping them up to speed while serving overseas.

Lee McKinney, an old racing pal of mine, recently sent me an email about his current tour in Kabul, Afghanistan.   Lee has been a huge supporter of our military by organizing special “racing” support packages for those currently serving away from home.   He has been deployed to Baghdad and Bagram in the past, sending hundreds of special racing teams and sports memorabilia goodies that racers have donated to the support program in the past.

I’ve always tried to show my appreciation to our military by participating in these type of programs, like eMoM’s Holiday Love program in 2007, and again in 2008.   Helping Lee with this program means I get the added plus of getting some racing love to the guys along with my gratitude now too!

One of my closest friends just returned from Kabul after about 8 months, exactly where Lee is now, so this is even more personal to me.  I’ll be sending a few Horsepower & Heels T-shirts and stickers over, and would love to hear back from a few representing H&H in Kabul!

Racing companies and teams have contributed over 550 boxes of support to the program.  Past supporters include:  John Force Racing, Don Schumacher Racing, Mike Ashley, Danny Rowe, Kalitta Racing, Lucas Oil, Alan Johnson Racing, Moroso Motorsports Park, Atlanta Speedway/Dragway, Aronson Racing, Parise Racing, Hoosier Motorsports, Oakley/WileyX, Simpson Racing, Mechanix Wear, JEGS, O’Reillys, Advance Auto, NAPA Auto Parts, Penske Racing, Pete Berner Racing with Summit Racing and many, many more.

If you’d like to add your support, packages can be sent to:

Lee McKinney
USFORA NKC/J3
FP ATO Level 2 programs
APO AE 09356

DSN:449-0304

9/11 Attacks | Ten years later

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Today is the 10th Anniversary of the attacks on our nation.   Its a day we will never forget, and the only day that my generation has ever truly felt that terror of war brought to our homefront.

As most all Americans, I will never forget that day and the feelings of shock and disbelief I had when I learned of the attacks.

9/11 Attacks – 10th Anniversary

I was just arriving at the shop (Lugo Performance), and was online working on the website when I saw something hit AOL news about the attacks.   I immediately turned on the radio to listen in as each station broke in reporting the latest in the terrifying events.   Just minutes later, I could hear the agony as the world watched the second tower hit.   It was a scary and helpless feeling.

I didn’t know anyone in Manhattan, I didn’t know anyone in DC, but tragedies of this magnitude immediately make you recheck your own life.  I called my family, I called my best friend Heather in California and woke her with the news.   We all sat glued to the televisions.   Tears flew down my face as I watched the towers collapse.    4 different planned, malicious attacks on our soil.    It was unfathomable.

Florida, was eerily quiet that day.  No planes in the sky.   No one running around.  Everyone was glued to the TV, the radio listening and watching with horror.   It was though those attacks had stopped the world from spinning in this country.   I wanted so bad to jump in a car and head for NY.  I wanted to help dig those poor people out.  I wanted to do SOMETHING.  ANYTHING.

I remember the address that President Bush gave late that evening.

“Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts…

…These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed. Our country is strong. A great people has been moved to defend a great nation.”

If anything good came out of that day, it was that at least for a brief time, we all were one.  One nation.  Under God.  Indivisible.   We were a proud and patriotic country that day and for the months after that we united to fight back.  To not be afraid.   To honor those we lost.   There was no political agenda.  No conspiracy.   I felt as though I was experiencing the patriotic dedication of our forefathers, that I always imagined life was like during the Allied battles of WWI and WWII.   Where we all came together to help our fellow countrymen, where bravery was honored and respected.

Of course, that faded with the settling dust, but at least I was able to experience that patriotism in my lifetime.   If nothing else on today’s 10th Anniversary of 9/11 Attacks,  I want to be sure that I remember the brave souls that fought on the front lines that day- NYPD/NY Fire/Rescue, Pentagon, and all those who took this fight off our soil and continue to defend us today.

We will never forget.

Holiday Love Program: Email Our Military

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Is it really already that time of year?!?

Last year, you might remember our campaign to help Email Our Military’s Holiday Love program. Its really a great way to honor our service men and women that are away from home during the holiday season. eMoM sends over care packages filled with all kinds of goodies with cards and notes of support and encouragement so that all of our Military have something special while they are serving our country this holiday.

This year, we’ve made some special Horsepower & Heels Holiday cards to send over with the Holiday Love program. We’ll throw in some Horsepower & Heels goodies too, and hope that some of our men and women away from their families with enjoy. Its easy, free, and just the thought of brightening someone’s day is worth the time.

To send your support, just drop your goodies to:

eMail Our Military
“Holiday Love”
8004 NW 154 Street, Suite 344
Miami Lakes, FL 33016

RIP Steve Engel

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This one hits close to home.

NHRA Pro Mod driver Steve Engel, who had a scary encounter with the wall during the US Nationals in Indy, has succumbed from his injuries.

Sept 15th, Indianapolis, IN — After showing significant signs of improvement in the past week, Pro Modified racer Steve Engel died suddenly at 5 p.m. Sunday at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.

Engel was involved is a serious one-car racing accident during the recent 54th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis. Engel’s Diamond Heavy Haul Corvette swerved wildly near the top end of the track and he impacted the retaining wall head-on. He was airlifted to Methodist Hospital where doctors discovered six broken vertebrae in his back. Two were fixed immediately, but then excess fluid developed in his lung doctors had to wait to fix the other four. That procedure was done Friday and physicians were diagnosing a long but full recovery.

The 49-year-old Engel is survived by his wife Tonya and his sons Stevie and Michael.
“The entire Pro Mod community is in a state of shock right now,” fellow racer and JEGS ProMod Challenge organizer Troy Coughlin said. “We were all so optimistic after Friday’s report and then we get this terrible news. Our thoughts and prayers are with Tonya and the boys.”

“Steve was a great racer — he won his first event with us earlier this year in Bristol — but he was an even better person. He was a big man with a big heart, always anxious to share a few laughs and toast with a cold beer. He loved to race, and he dearly loved his friends at the track. He will be missed.”

A resident of Shandon, Ohio, Engel competed in 31 JEGS ProMod Challenge events over the past few years. He had one win and two runner-up finishes on his resume. Overall, Engel had been drag racing for 21 years, and he listed John Force as the racer he admired most.

Services for Engel will be held at:
St. Aloysius Church of Shandon
3350 Chapel Road
Shandon, OH 45063
513-738-1014‎
Viewing: Thursday, 1-9
Funeral: 10 a.m. Friday

I didn’t know Steve well personally, having only met him a few times at the racetrack, but having a loss like this within the Pro Mod community just rocks you to the core.

Rest in peace Steve, you will be greatly missed.

Godspeed Scott Kalitta

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The most heartbreaking news you can possibly hear…. DHL Funny Car driver Scott Kalitta has passed away after a top end crash during the NHRA Lucas Oil SuperNationals in Englishtown, NJ during 4th round of qualifying today.
Kalitta, the son of NHRA legend Connie Kalitta, was just 46 years old. He has been a staple in the nitro ranks for many years now, piloting a top fuel dragster as well as moving to funny car. He started his career in the 80’s, ironically with his first event being at Englishtown, NJ.
He is survived by wife Kathy, and sons Cory [14] and Colin [9], Palmetto, FL.
This year at the AC Delco NHRA Nationals in Gainesville, my good friends Frankie, Mikey, my sister Melanie and I were all VIP guest in the DHL pits. Watching Scott’s passion in that car was infectious. As he warmed up the car, you could see the adrenaline flowing in his eyes, and as he blipped the throttle, he would do this whole pumped up jump onto the throttle. (Think head-banger metal style energy). I wish I would’ve had that moment captured on video, it was such a cool and inspiring sight.
The second driver fatally injured in nitro funny car in the past 2 years, he is another great talent that will be sorely missed.
Godspeed, Scott Kalitta
May you forever light the nitro candles in the skies above us.

Photos: Competition Plus, Melanie Ortiz

Piensas mas alla

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Piensa Mas Alla….Think Beyond

Recently, I was asked by the Palomita & Chucho Clothing Co. to design a special edition t-shirt to be auctioned off at an event in June benefitting education. Palomita and Chucho are fresh, fun brands that capture the nostalgia of Latin America, the bubbly soda us latinos drank with our school lunches, that salty candy that made our fingers all sticky, or that loveable mouse we watched on television before we were tucked into bed.

 

The t-shirt design was sent to me blank, with just the word “WOOPY” on the front of the shirt. Woopy is a fruit juice drink with a fun and playful attitude. This drink was launched in the 70’s and was the drink for the new generation. I wasn’t really sure what to draw for WOOPY, so I had a Palomita champagne bottle popping with WOOPY. Not exactly a fruit juice, but maybe you could say it was our adult version now that we’re all grown up. My drawing skills as you can see are lacking a bit, but hopefully it will do well at the event for this great cause.

The event, the 1st Annual Latino Fashion Show Auction benefitting the Palomita Education Fund, will be held on June 12th in San Francisco, CA. I’m not sure I’ll be able to attend, but I think it will be a great event! If you are in that area, reserve your seat and help the cause!

June 12, 2008
Terra SF
511 Harrison Street,
San Francisco, CA

6:30pm
Pink Carpet Arrival
Cocktails & Silent Auction
7:30pm
Live Auction of Special Edition Tees designed by Latino Personalities followed by the Palomita & Chucho Fashion Show

For more information contact [email protected]