Tommy Lipar Racing sends a taste of home to the U.S. troops 

In response to a request from a sailor stationed in San Antonio, Conroe-based Tommy Lipar Racing has assembled a bundle of drag racing memorabilia and autographed expressions of gratitude for U.S. servicemen fighting for freedom in the Middle East. 

T-shirts, posters and autographed “hero cards,” like the ones given to fans at racing events across America, were being prepared for shipping on Thursday, June 3, said Joshua Hernandez, Vice President of Operations for Tommy Lipar Racing’s Pro Modified Drag Racing Team. Some of the items will be sent directly to military personnel in harm’s way.  

“We want to do everything we can to support the troops,” Hernandez said. “They support us every day by providing a free country. We want to do what we can to bring a little bit of home to them. We know there are a lot of race fans in the military. We want them to know we’ve been thinking about them.” 

On May 28^th, a master chief in the U.S. Navy wrote TLR and asked for the team’s help. Master Chief Lee McKinney said he was trying to assemble “morale boxes” for shipmates who are “die hard race fans.” 

McKinney recently spent two years overseas and he said he is also planning to use some of the autographed materials in a raffle or auction. Money raised with that event, he said, will be used to provide U.S. military personnel in the Middle East with other items – pens, pencils, stamps, paper, phone cards and food. 

Hernandez and Team Owner Tommy Lipar immediately seized the opportunity to boost the morale of the men and women serving in combat. TLR driver Von Smith, who pilots the Pro Modified Mustang GT known as Dr. Moon’s Rage, immediately signed several of the “hero cards” for McKinney’s campaign. They were autographed by the beautiful “Nurse Tiffany” – the Promotions Director for TLR who has become a can’t-miss attraction at races around the nation.   

“We know drag racing has a lot of fans in the military. We don’t want them to feel like they’re missing the Pro Mod season,” said Mr. Lipar. “We think of them every day and we’re thinking of them every time we’re at the track. We salute their service. We were glad to help. We want them to know a seat at the track is waiting for them when they get back.”