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Immediate Release
November 29, 2002
Photo provided by:
Barb Saunders
GDS Photographer
Photo: (Randy Claypoole (left), Goody's Dash PR/Media Coordinator
presents Chuck Gafrarar (right) the 2002 Rookie of the Year award.
Gafrarar is the 2002
NASCAR Goody's Dash
Rookie of the Year!
[From Fabricating to
Driver - Gafrarar racing
forward!]
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Mooresville NC - November 29, 2002 In February, at the season opener
in Daytona, Chuck Gafrarar, set his goals to winning the 2002 NASCAR
Goody's Dash Rookie of the Year title. On Saturday, November 23rd,
at the Sheraton Four Season's, Greensboro, NC, Gafrarar wrapped up
his season as he received the 2002 NASCAR Goody's Dash Rookie if the
Year title!
Gafrarar came on the scene late January testing in Daytona. The month
of February was a whirlwind for Gafrarar who made major life changes
in his career and life within a matter of days! Gafrarar purchased
a new home , moved in and headed to more changes. On his return from
Daytona, Gafrarar left his position with Penske Racing South as a fabricator
for Rusty Wallace. A position he held for over 6 1/2 years - Gafrarar
headed out the door to run the Dash series fulltime. On Saturday, February
2, Chuck married Jacqueline Boger Gafrarar. Within three days after
the wedding Chuck flew to Daytona to prepare for the first race of
the season. His bride flew to meet him for raceday and Sunday the bride
and groom headed to their honeymoon! On his return he went fulltime
into his already established business of Chuck Gafrarar Raceworks INC.
It was a month filled with fast paced changes and all for the good!
Determination is more than a word to this Rookie of the Year!
From the start of the Dash events Gafrarar ran with Moss Motorsports.
Mid-way through the season switched teams to run with the Highlands
Motorsports Team, owned by Wade Lopez and Tom Sweeney, Bristol, TN.
It was a positive move for Gafrarar and Highlands, with their first
run grabbing a 4th place finish in Sparta KY and soon picked off five
high finishing Rookie of the Race awards! The season stats Gafrarar
picked up three top fives, six top tens and 12 top 20's. Gafrarar kept
the point lead for the Rookie of the Year title since the second race
of the season! Over the years, Gafrarar became known for his Winston
Cup fabrication skills and as the GDS progressed the Driver status
took over with NASCAR associates seeing Gafrarar in a whole new light.
Gafrarar, racing since he was nine years old will chalk up 24 years
experience in the racing field this March. He is working his way to
goals he set as a child racing go-karts and moving upwards to the Pro
Kart circuits, Legends cars, late models, Dash and All Pro cars. Gafrarar
represents many sponsors each race and stated
"I really
wanted to win the Rookie title not only for me but all my sponsors...they
are the ones who made this possible. I have a great group of sponsors
and crew who work with me to achieve this common goal. I just can't
thank them enough." Gafrarar was quick to mention
"the
Dash series is awesome and totally family oriented. It reminds me of
my years on the WKA & IKF Pro kart circuits. Everyone knew everyone
and all tried to make the best of good or bad situations that come
along in motorsports." Gafrarar stated
"this
series has an excellent group of NASCAR officals and Touring staff
who help us all make the series the good one it is today."
Kudos and thanks to Gafrarar's great sponsors go to: Icehouse, Lopez & Associates
LLC, Refrigeration Services INC, Highlands Motorsports INC, I.H. Caffey
INC, Allan Powell Race Engines, Pro-Image Computer Graphics, Weaver
Race Cars, Lincoln Welders, Food Country, MeadWestvaco, INC, and Shields
Electronics Supply INC. Also thanks to my parents for their support,
Steven Lee - Travel Club International, Barb Saunders - GDS Photographer,
JHE Productions INC, Randy "Chubby" Bodnar, Bobby Gill, my
wife Jacqueline for all the support with this hectic schedule and to
Tim Wallace, my business partner - who kept our shop going during my
race time. Thanks to Wade Lopez and Tom Sweeney Team owners and to
Reese Milton my teammate and our crew for a great season and Michael
Johnson from I.H. Caffey - for all the words from our sponsor...Icehouse
this season!
Gafrarar said
"I am a firm believer in TEAM work -
Together Everyone Accomplishes More...this season we made it a proven
point." In interviews, he was asked what he would
do during his time off. Gafrarar stated
"there is
no time off now it's forward preparing the cars and working on adding
sponsors to our team. Team Highlands is full throttle working on Daytona
and looking for another great season in 2003." To
inquire on joining our sponsorship team please contact Chuck at
chuck@chuckgracer.com
