Mar 09 - Richard Shupe, Jr

Exciting season ahead for Shupe Jr.
            Richard Shupe Jr. of Bluewell, WV. Is working hard at preparing for the 2010 race season.  Shupe got his start in racing because of his Dad and his grandpa. “They both raced when I was young and so I guess that racing is in my blood,I love it!” 2010 will be extra special for Shupe as in the off season he nearly lost his Dad. “Dad, Richard Shupe Sr.,  had a heart attack and we almost lost him.” “When something like that happens to someone you love it really puts a new perspective on things.” Shupe is dedicating this season to his Dad and his entire family. “I love them all and without them I would never have been able to race.”
            Shupe feels his greatest accomplishment in racing thus far has been the 2006 season. “I was Rookie of the Year, and finished 5th in points in a very competitive field of cars.” “What makes me so proud of that season was being able to share all of it with my family.” Shupe’s most embarrassing moment was the night he challenged his dad. “ I ran my mouth and kept telling Dad how bad I was going to beat him that night. I ended up trashing my car, and he ended up finishing 3rd,  man did I hear it all the way home.”
            Shupe lists his Dad as his biggest influence in racing. “Dad was out there every week competing hard, and showed me that its just as important to be out there as it is to be out front.” Shupe told me his hero is NASCAR Legend Dale Earnhardt Sr., not only because of his driving style, but because of his determination on and off the track. Shupe also lists Ricky Bobby as a hero, “I mean come on the man ran around the track in his underwear. Who wouldn’t idolize that.” Laughed Shupe.
            Working on the car this season will be, Mom, Dad, Brittanie, Meatball, Shea, Cassie, Jeff, Tammy, and Mamaw and Papaw. Shupe’s sponsors for the 2010 season will be Lamb Machine, Deskins Motorsports, NDM Machine, Advance Auto, Hilltop Auto Sales (Kenny Peeples Jr.), and Nitro Fotos.
            Shupe’s goal for the 2010 season is to be able to race the whole season and get as many wins as possible so he can honor his father and thank him for everything he has done for him. Shupe would like to thank Mom, Dad, Mamaw and Papaw, Nanny, Brittanie, Jerry Dillow, Brandon, Jeff, Tammy, ronnie Byrd, Willowbrook Outfitters, Fred Brown and Kenny Peeples Jr. at Hilltop Auto Sales for making it possible for him to race this year!