NHRA: Martino Makes the U.S. Nationals a Family Affair
30 August 2000
PARSIPPANY, N.J., August 29, 2000 - As any professional drag racer can attest, the NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series is one of the toughest in all of motorsports. In the space of ten months, the world's best quarter-milers race in twenty-four events at tracks located in every corner of the United States. At every stop, participants must adapt to varying conditions and face fierce competition, with fields often covered by mere thousandths of a second. However, the most challenging aspect may be the endless hours spent on the road, away from their families. As a devoted husband and father of three, CENTURY 21 Pro Stock Firebird pilot Tom Martino works to ensure that he remains a vital component in his children's lives. "Being a professional racer is a very time-consuming occupation," explained Martino. "If you're not racing, you're either on your way to the track, or back at the shop preparing your equipment. In my case, besides the CENTURY 21 Racing Team, I also have the responsibilities of a full-time job at Jesel Valvetrain Innovation. "However, the most important part of my life is my family, and I always make sure to spend some time with them. It makes for some long days, and I may have to juggle a few things, but somehow we make it work. If I couldn't, I'd stop racing." A look at Martino's activities prior to the U.S. Nationals reveals the depth of his commitment on all sides. Following the last race in Brainerd, Minnesota, Martino traveled with the team to Indianapolis to participate in a crucial two-day test session. Returning home, the crew immediately turned their attention to readying their racecar for what is traditionally the biggest race of the year, with Martino and Tom Kling tending to the race engines. Despite the heavy workload, Martino set aside time each day to be with his family, starting with breakfast every morning. As his hectic schedule allows, he will attend older son Thomas Jr.'s baseball games, daughter Jessica's ice skating competitions or watch his youngest, Vincent, take karate lessons. However, just as with his race team, Martino knows he cannot do it alone, and is quick to credit others' contribution. "I try to stay involved with their lives as much as possible," stated Martino. "My wife Robin does a great job of taking care of them when I'm not around. Between attending to the business side the race team and keeping up with the kids, she is always on the go. Tom Kling has also been a tremendous help. In fact, we consider him our kids' third grandfather." This sense of family extends well beyond their New Jersey home, as the Martino children accompany their parents to as many races as possible throughout the year without infringing on their schooling or social activities. Next week, for example, the entire Martino family will head to Indiana. Realizing his attention will be focused on capturing his sport's biggest prize once at Indianapolis Raceway Park, Martino has made plans to attend to his family's needs. Eschewing the normal hotel accommodations, the Martino clan will stay in a rented motorhome at the track, allowing the family to maintain some normalcy during the five days of racing. "The U.S. Nationals is by far the biggest race of the season," explained Martino. "But it is also our longest, and that can take its toll. With the motorhome, I don't have to worry about the kids staying up too late if we have to be at the track working on the race car. This also gives them more ways to be entertained throughout the day. Knowing that they are well taken care of, I can fully concentrate on taking care of the business of putting the CENTURY 21 Firebird in the winner's circle. This is the one race that every drag racer wants on their resume, including me, and having my family there to help me celebrate if I win will make it even better." Century 21 Real Estate Corporation (www.century21.com) is the franchisor of the world's largest residential real estate sales corporation, providing comprehensive training, management, administrative and marketing support for the CENTURY 21 System. The System is comprised of more than 6,300 independently owned and operated franchised broker offices in more than 28 countries and territories worldwide. CENTURY 21 Real Estate Corporation is a subsidiary of Cendant Corporation (NYSE:CD) and is part of the move.com family of relocation, real estate and home-related service companies. MARTINO MOMENTS: This will be Tom Martino's fifth Pro Stock appearance at Indianapolis Raceway Park, where he looks to improve upon his quarter-final finish from 1996…Martino's best qualifying performance in Indianapolis came during his rookie season in 1996, when he placed 4th.… Martino currently sits 9th in the Winston Points Standings, 48 points (just over two rounds of eliminations) out of 8th. Fast Facts WHAT: 46th annual U.S. Nationals, the seventeenth event on the 23-race 2000 NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series Schedule. WHEN: August 30 - September 4, 2000 WHERE: Indianapolis Raceway Park, Indianapolis, Indiana SCHEDULE: Pro Stock qualifying starts with one round on Friday, September 1 at 6:00 p.m., followed by two sessions on Saturday, September 2 at 10:30 a.m. and 5:50 p.m and concludes with two final attempts on Sunday, September 3 at 10:45 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Final eliminations begin at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 4. TV: The Nashville Network (TNN) will air two hours of highlights from qualifying and the first round of eliminations on Monday, September 4 from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m., followed by two additional hours of final-round coverage from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.. (Times given are Eastern and Pacific. As always, please consult your local listings)