Well, 2014 is over. It has been one tough and long year for us (Dina Parise Racing) and many others. It was a year that we lost many friends, a family member and racers. It was one of those years that just seems like you are driving through thick fog. But like they say, you have to take the bad with the good. This year was one giant road trip for me, from North Carolina to New York to Pennsylvania to somewhere else. I have a new respect for long haul truckers. We can finally call a state home. The state of  Pennsylvania.

I grew up old school ; I  say thank you, I open doors for a lady, I will give up my seat. Those days are long gone in many areas but the people here in Pa still live by old school values. The first time someone said good morning to me, I was like, ‘What do you want? You talking to me?’ It took me a couple days but I realized that I am home. It was a nice change. I do miss the food in NY but we are close enough to Maryland which has good restaurants, but the boss said we have to go on a diet after Christmas. She said she wants a fit backup boy. Hmmmm… I guess that was a dig on my current look.

IHRA, announced the come back of Pro Mod for 8 races at the PRI Show. We attended the meeting in the media room at PRI and it was a packed house. The management team did a great job of bringing back Pro Mod to its grass roots with a full time sponsor, Crower. I think this is going to be a great program with a large turnout. I know everybody will be watching as well as commenting. We are sure it will be run well,but just like any other series perfection takes time. They have a series sponsor (Crower) that has been in business for over 40 years, and a management team that is going above and beyond and have booked some of the best tracks around. I shouldn’t have taken this year off, I might have to move the Bosses pedals in her car (OK, don’t tell her that). With IHRA,NHRA and PDRA it is going to be a great year of Pro Mod racing. We will be focusing on IHRA and PDRA, we don’t have the points to enter NHRA nor will we spend a year obtaining them running divisional races.

So, we have been busy working on the new shop (Andi-Con Performance), well I have been busy not sure what Dina has been doing. Andi-Con is coming together well and will open this month. It is going to be a great new adventure for us. I will be working side by side with Dina, racing together, traveling together. What the hell did I get myself into?  The shop is coming together nicely, the boss has her office, smart TV, new computer, personal heater and I have white hair. I need a dye job, my hair is white not gray anymore. It is a lot of work opening a new business. You burn thru money quickly. What seems off is our first gas bill. For heating the shop (at a toasty 50 degrees) our first bill was $1200.00. Really? I have to work in an eskimo suit with heated socks. But in the end it will work out. I am really excited about the new shop and all of the vendors coming on board.

While I won’t be driving next year, I will be driving everyone nuts on and off the track. When your a driver it is hard to watch, but this is the year of DPR. I predict that Dina will be in the winner circle this season. We aren’t going to the race track to watch. We are going to win. I want our family, Marketing Partners, friends and fans  all in the winner circle with us. In 2015 you will see a new team, new look, new attitude and we are bringing our ‘A’ game. We have a lot of new things coming about in 2015 and it is going to be awesome. ‘Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.’ or as Dina says ‘Drives like a Cadillac , stings like a V!’

2015 is going to be a great year. Look for the grand opening of Andi-Con Performance shortly. You are all more then welcome to join the fun at the open house we plan on having. We are testing  the boss’s Cadillac starts shortly and so does the strict diet and gym. 2015 is going to be a great year. Be on the lookout!

See you at the Races,

Andrew ‘Bam Bam’ Parise

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