Just over a year ago, Andy Clower surprised the Sacred Selections families with this custom designed wrap for his dirt track racing car.
Not only did the racing fans see the bright florescent gold SS logo gracing the front, but they also saw the pictures and names of 365 children on the hood and wrapped around the sides.
We heard stories and read comments from the SS families and from race fans alike about how “cool” and inspiring it was to see these faces, read the names and realize what great work is being done to help the kids.
I caught up with Andy this month to see, “What’s up this year with you and how’s the 2022 racing season going?”
The Last Year has been a Rebuilding Phase
“Well” …Andy started. “You remember last year didn’t go as well as I hoped. We had a major crash early in the season that kept us out of most of the remaining races.”
“We did have a few wins, and every time, the car and the SS kids would be seen by dirt track race fans all over the country. It felt great to be able to showcase the SS mission this way.”
Who is Andy?
Andy, is the service manager at Tom’s Camperland in Surprise Arizona.
Tom’s Camperland, was previously owned by none other than Tom Leach, who many of our Sacred Selections know and love along with Susan Leach, Tom’s wife. The four Camperland locations in the greater Phoenix area are still owned and operated by Brad Leach, Tom’s son.
Racing Runs in the Family
For Andy, dirt track racing is a three-generation strong family passion and legacy. Andy lost his father last year tragically, but he continues the passion and tradition of building, repairing, and racing cars.
“It’s certainly different and at times hard, not having dad here this year to help me figure things out.” Andy shared.
“It’s a rebuilding year for me,” Andy went on. “I decided to change up the car this year, taking it back to the original color dad had with his ’57 Chevy. That bright orange really stands out in the pack.”
What’s been Happening in 2022?
When asked about how the 2022 season is going,
Andy smiled, rolled his eyes a bit, “Well we’ve had some issues this year. I rebuilt the engine and took the car all the way down to the roll bars and started from there. I found out after one race, I had an “illegal” carburetor and got disqualified. I had no idea it was illegal for this type of racing. And man, I felt terrible. Here I am representing a foundation that helps kids and gets “caught” cheating. The race officials assured me it was a technicality, but I had to fix it.”
Andy is Praying the rest of the 2022 Season will go Better
He’s got twenty to twenty-five races this year. Each with a crowd between 300-500 fans. It’s not huge, Andy knows but it is an opportunity to help make people aware of Sacred Selections and the mission to help fatherless children. “And yes” Andy says, “People ask, ‘What are Sacred Selections?’ I get to tell them.”
This is what I love about Andy and so many like him. They don’t just see a need; they see an opportunity.
Andy has taken a family passion, a set of skills, some time and money and said, “Here’s what I have, here am I, send me.”
– David Carrozza
