TJ in action at Port Royal Speedway
When and how did you get started in racing?
2003 My Dad had always wanted to race sprint cars, but never had the money when he was younger. He raced go-karts as a kid, but went to college instead of racing. Later in his life he decided to take himself and I to Smiley Sittons Outlaw Driving School to follow his dream just once, but as it turned out it just gave him the itch. A year later we purchased our first race car from John Bankston and went racing at East Bay. He Drove the first two years and I learned to be a Mechanic and set up sprint cars. After two years of begging to drive I was told if I could get all A's and B's on my report card I could drive it once. Next semester I had all A's and two B's. Yea Buddy! After the first race with a very respectable top ten finish, it was decided that I could now drive the car every other weekend.
Who had the biggest impact on your racing career and why?
My Dad
What would you be doing if you weren't racing?
I couldn't even imagine not racing
What is your favorite aspect of racing?
Climbing into the seat at the beginning of every night just to get the same anxious jittery feeling you get like its the first time
What is your greatest accomplishment/best memory?
Definately winning the A.S.C.S championship. It just happend to end at East Bay, my home track, where I learned to race. I'm pretty sure I won by a mear 10 points or less. I was wrecked by a lap car in the heat race, and A.S.C.S. rules say you have to race the same car all night. But my frame was bent about six inches in the front, and of course we were in the last heat race and the first B-Main. After replacing everything on the car but the seat we started scratch in the B, We finished second in it. Then had to finsh 4 spots ahead of the would be second place points man, I cant exactly remember where we finished the A but it was good enough for the Championship.
What is the worst thing that has happened to you in racing, or your worst season?
Destroying a brand new car the first time I went to Knoxville, and I mean everything, even the seat.
In your own words, describe your 2008 season:
Awesome! I got to come here to Pa. and race a good part of the season
What are your plans for the 2009 season?
Port Royal Speedway
Where do you see Sprint Car racing five years from now?
For me Hopefully a full time ride and showing up with a helmet.
What is your ultimate goal?
Make enough money just racing to support my family, and show up with just a helmet..LoL
Anything else you would like to add?
Thanks to everyone for what they have given to the TJ Winegardner Race Team, wether it be time or money it is all very greatly appreciated!
Tom & Barb Winegardner
Chip & Karen Stick
Ramsey's Car Wash
Bargain Barn
Chris Stake
Mike Yetter
Brian & Kyle Hart
Gary White, The man that tought me a whole lot about sprint cars
My Sisters Daphne & Lacey
And of course my beautiful Fiancee Melody for letting me have all this fun