NASCAR WCUP: Just in Time to Celebrate Mother's Day

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

May 10, 2001

The Square D Racing Team has a rare weekend off, but Bobby Hamilton has asked that the team to attend the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race this weekend in Darlington, S.C. Hamilton is planning on fielding a third team for the Darlington 200 and will drive in the event.

After team members agreed to join Hamilton at Darlington, they had to plan ahead for Mother's Day on Sunday after the race.

"Well, I'm sure that I'll take my mom out to dinner," said crew chief Jimmy Elledge, who started the conversation at the APR race shop on Tuesday. "Lucky for me, I get to see my mom a lot throughout the year, but this day I'm sure will be a little more special."

As to a Mother's Day gift, the general consensus among the crew members was that they would show their love with a nice dinner. Others planned to send cards or gifts through the mail.

Then the conversation turned to how their mother's have offered advice along the way.

"My mom is thankful that I am still alive," said Kevin White, Tire Specialist. Jackman, Jerry Painter said that his mom always told him never to get married, but ironically this weekend he was traveling with his mother to Washington, D.C to attend his brother's wedding. Laughing, Painter added, "Oh yeah, and she always told me to put the toilet seat down."

Agreeing, Andy Silver added, "remember to flush." Rear tire carrier, Randy Rice threw in the famous motherly advice that "moms are always good to bring you down a notch or two when you're out of line."

But overall, every team member agreed that their mothers followed their careers with the same sense of pride each member takes in their own job.

"My mom never followed racing until I became involved," said Jeremy Hapes, Pit Support and Fabricator. While Brian Porter, Second Gas Man, agreed, "Yeah my mom thinks its neat too." Front tire changer, Jason Sheets added, "After we won in Talladega (Ala.) my mom was really happy. She laughed when my little niece wanted my autograph because I was on TV."

One thing is for sure with the No. 55 Square D Racing Team. They all agree a mother's love and advice is irreplaceable.

"My mom has been a big supporter of my racing career because my dad has always been so heavily involved. She was probably accustomed to it before I was which helps her understand my lifestyle," said Elledge. "My mom has watched my interests grow through the different jobs I have done in racing. She always given me great advice, but the one thing I still work on is what she said when I started at APR. She told me then that communication is the key to making it in this business."

Porter added, "My mom always told me to treat other people like I want to be treated. She said to always be honest with others and I try to follow that everyday." Andy Silver threw his favorite words of wisdom heard by his mother, "Jump through hoops and smile. So far, listening to that has made me what I am today with racing."

Teresa Edwards, Square D's scorer, said, "My mom told me to enjoy my children. She has been my biggest fan all my life and I only hope that one day my kids will think the same thing of me."

Although this weekend the Square D Racing Team will be in Darlington helping out Hamilton, they will all be back in time for the Mother's Day celebration on Sunday May 13th.

Text provided by Lori Schuler

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.