Join John Ryan as he sits down with champion drag racer Jeremy Demers for an exhilarating discussion on life at high speeds. Despite initial intimidation, John dives deep into the racing world with Jeremy, who opens up about his lifelong passion for drag racing, a legacy passed down from his father. They explore the intricate balance of racing and maintaining a life and business in Carroll, revealing the dedication and commitment required to thrive in the motorsport. Jeremy shares vivid memories of his introduction to drag racing, his growth from a young enthusiast to a decorated racer, and the trials faced along the way. With insights into the physical and mental demands of the sport, Jeremy provides a unique perspective on the race track’s intense environment. He reflects on career highlights and future aspirations, all while managing the family business and maintaining strong relationships. Discover the essential elements of building and racing dragsters, as Jeremy discusses the mechanics, the strategy, and the importance of community and sponsorship. This episode is an inspiring look at how passion and perseverance fuel success, both on and off the track.
It's must know people. I'm John Ryan with you. And today got a special guest that was actually referred to me for season number one. And I chickened out. I didn't want to do the interview because honestly, I didn't know squat about what this guy's going to be talking about. His name is Jeremy Demers. He is a champion drag racer from right here in Carroll and an owner of Napa here in town. Jeremy, thanks for doing this. I was intimidated to come interview you today. No, absolutely. I appreciate the opportunity here. I was nervous, I guess, because I didn't know much about drag racing. Sure. And I thought, this is the world that not a lot of people do know about. So it's weird that two people from Carroll are champion drag racers. Right. Yeah. I mean, my dad, he he essentially started, you know, racing when he was real young. You know, I mean, 16, 17, obviously doing it probably not so much legally on the streets, you know, and kind of grew up to be, you know, a great mentor for me and taught me pretty much everything I know to this day, you know. So it's a it's a lot to learn and a lot to step into. But it's been really good for us. Did you know anybody else that was into it, the level that you guys were? I mean, over the years, you know, traveling and going to different venues, you start acquiring friends and building relationships and stuff. So, I mean, there's a, there's a lot of people you learn and meet and you try to, obviously, like I said, my dad is still my number one mentor and all of it, but yeah. So was that the reason you got into it, just to spend time with your dad? Essentially, yeah. I mean, I did the sports deal for, you know, when I was in middle school and stuff and ended up pretty much quitting all of that and focusing, you know, on the racing side of stuff. And, uh... When I was nine years old, my dad got a junior dragster for us. My brother and I, we both shared it, which was a lot of fun, you know, traveling with my parents and a family sport, right? And got to spend a lot of time with each other, and that's where it all pretty much started. And, you know, through high school, I played golf and I still to this day enjoy golfing a lot with family, friends and etc. Even when we're on the road racing, it's it's a good time. So how much time does it take a week? This sport, this this hobby? It's it's nonstop. I mean, by the time, you know, service and rigs and. you know, even the race car, sometimes we joke, you know, it's like, that's the least amount of maintenance we have to worry about. It's everything else, you know, from motor homes and trailers and all the stuff to, to get ready and prepared to go is it's, it's a lot of work. It's gotta be, this is not something you go into lightly. I mean, it's, it's, it's an investment, right? Right. I mean, it's, uh, and it doesn't happen overnight either. You know, I've been doing this for 27 years and, uh, each year you try to better yourself, better the program, upgrade where you can affordably, you know, I mean, obviously everything's, um, very expensive and, and fortunate to have even some local sponsors that help out, you know, throughout the year. And which means a lot to us, you know, that these, these people, these business owners, you know, they're, they're supporting what we're doing. Right. So it's, uh, It's great for my dad and I and obviously to represent those businesses of Carroll. That's interesting because this would be a whole lot easier if you lived somewhere else, wouldn't it? Well, I mean, the thing that's tough for us is just the traveling side. I mean, our closest racetrack that we actually... would say score points on or actually uh compete at at that level would be uh probably chicago so you know six hour tow but we travel all the way you know to pomona california which is you know 26 hours so it's uh definitely a lot of time on the road no kidding that's a lot of family time in those early days so what was it what what hooked your dad on racing you know i mean he was always kind of into the motorsports side of stuff and uh engines and And his grandfather actually was the one that kind of was into the motor, you know, the motor side of stuff. And he learned a lot from him and through the years and went to a trade school for engine machining and engine building. And he moved to Carolyn 75 and worked for the Wilkins family here at the Napa store and him and his partner at the time, Dale Quant ended up, you know, buying the business and taking it over from there. And he, he essentially grew an empire, you know, it's a, we build engines for people all over the country and it's, uh, you know, obviously friends, family, and, and, uh, the racing community, you know, is, it looks huge as a whole, but it's, it's a, it's just a big family out there. So 75 is way pre Jeremy, right? Yeah, for sure. So what's your earliest memory of, of, uh, first of all, the store, let's talk about that. Yeah. Um, I mean, I started coming out here tanking around, I mean, in very early ages, you know, and, uh, I would say I started tearing motors apart when I was eight, nine years old and, and kind of with the racing side, I started when I was nine and just kind of invested at that point on, just kept growing and learning. And what can a nine-year-old do in the racing business? Yeah. And, and actually they changed that now. So you can start racing a junior dragster at six years old. They, so it's, uh, you know, they're starting them young, but they, uh, It's a whole different deal. You know, you go talk to these kids at the racetrack. I mean, it feels like you're talking to a 16 year old. You know, they're just very knowledgeable and they understand the risk factor of that. And they're just like adults, you know, at a very young age, learning to learn and do the sport. So seriously, what can a nine year old do, though? What were you doing? like I said I was the boys even that currently work here you know they were helping me and and educating me on things and more or less just tearing stuff apart cleaning parts and and nothing too techie as you will but obviously the older I got and and with great like I said mentors from my dad and Troy and Trevor Klein that have been a part of the family for forever you know and It's been a great deal for us. So that all started, I mean, you're building engines for people all over the country. I mean, what were you doing that was so right about that, that you were in that kind of demand? Well, you know, a lot of that too is, you know, like my dad, I mean, he had a lot of success racing, being out there. And that's a big part of our business too, is, you know, you're at the track supporting your customers. Um, you know, if they need help or guidance, you know, you're out there to help them as well. Um, so that's where a lot, a lot of the client base comes from too, you know, is being, being there to support them, you know, and if they have a question or concern, you're, you're at the track ready to race right next to them, you know, so. Racing has got to take a lot of time away from the store too, doesn't it? It does. It does for sure. And like I said, the fact that we have great employees that, that help take care of that while we're gone. And, and, uh, like I said, they've been, they've been here longer than I have essentially, you know? So, uh, the fact that they, they get it, you know, they know it takes a lot of time and effort and they race too. So they understand, uh, the being away and taking care of stuff while we're gone. So it helps out a lot. What's your typical day like here at the store? Cause I'm, I'm sure it's, you can't just work on your race car all day, even though you want to. Right, right. Um, for the most part, I mean, it's, it's all customer based stuff. We do have times if we're pinched on, we got a race coming up and we got to have this, you know, X, Y, Z done, you know, before we leave that, you know, even the guys in the shop will help, you know, get everything put together and, and, uh, everything loaded up and ready for us to go. But I mean, the day to day, I mean, it just changes. That's the thing I like about, you know, this the most is, you know, one day you might be working on a big block Chevy and the next day you might be working on a straight six. It just depends on what what the customer drags in the door. Both of those went right over my head as far as the terminology goes. So what do you like most? Do you like working on engines or do you like the racing part? I would definitely probably say that's a tough one. Probably the the racing side of it. Obviously this success comes with what's in the frame rails, you know with the motor itself to being reliable being you know competitive where it's not broke down, right? I mean so Yeah, that's a tough one. But I would say the racing is an experience that not a lot of people get to get. It's a good time. You know, you said you started out kind of traveling with your dad. It was kind of a family deal going on. At what point did you start to break away and start racing on your own? Really, that didn't even start until... I mean, I've went to races by myself, obviously, with my dad's setup. You know, his operation, he allowed me to take and go... But he stayed back and worked, you know, if we had customer stuff that needed done and I was in a points chase or what have you. And he he allowed me to give me that opportunity to go race, chase, chase the points and have the success, which, you know, obviously I couldn't have done it without him. So. Yeah, you're a champion racer, but you don't start that way. No, no, no. Talk about the beginning days of racing for you. Oh, man. Where were you going? What was happening? Yeah, I mean, even clear back to the junior dragster days. I mean, I think there was a season that I didn't even win a round. I mean, just you'd go and you'd get... frustrated, depressed, you know, I mean, there's all kinds of things, terminology you could use, but, uh, um, all kinds of words, colorful words, right. But, um, you know, you just keep digging. And, um, like I said, it, uh, I've been at it for 27 years and I've raced every summer and, um, it takes a lot of work and patience you know I mean things come around it's just some some years are tough right but that makes the the good year shine too you know so like last year you know we had a lot of success and and uh it was fun to do it side by side with my dad and you know with with the success that he was having I was having we just had a really eventful year it was fun Any any races that stand out to you when you were younger that like they were maybe a linchpin, a turning point for your career? Yeah. One of the first races I ever went to the whole way up there, a little small track up northern Iowa, Humboldt. The whole way on our way up, my dad's like, you know, you got to learn how to lose. And, you know, you just can't get discouraged and this and that. And I go up there and I win the first race. Right. Never sat in a car, never done anything. I'm like, I don't even know what the heck I'm doing. Right. But just luck. I mean, that's all I can tell you. But I won my first race. So I'm like, all right, you know, this isn't so bad. And then, like I said, you know, the chain of events of. they're not even turning on a wind light. So it's definitely, you know, you got to accept the highs with the lows, you know? So it, uh, I was addicted to that for that. It was one of those things, you know, you have a little success and you're like, all right, I'm, I'm going to do this. And it's been a lot of fun. Was that success followed by a lot of other successes or was it followed by a lot more failure? So I had, uh, I went some years that were, like I said, really good in the junior and I was, At a young age, I'd say probably 14, I was ready. I was done with the junior dragster stuff. I was ready for a big car. I wanted to race in super comp, which just a sportsman category. But anyway, I had my heart on that. That's what I wanted to do. And my dad helped me purchase my first super comp car. And, you know, within, I would say a couple, uh, races, you know, we put it in the winner's circle and success just kind of started to follow into play, you know, with what, you know, I wanted to do essentially. And, but like I said, there's, there's a lot of lows that go in between some of those victories too, you know, so. And a lot of money put into cars. Yeah. What is ballpark? How much does it take to put a competitive car together? So just like last week, and I was talking with a buddy, just a family friend that I've raced with forever. And when I was at a local bracket race last weekend, and I was like, we bought a junior when I was racing, you know, for, you know, 6,500 bucks. And this kid that was over there, this little kid, his dad purchased one. It was 40 grand. So things have definitely changed. I'm thinking, holy moly, like, there's just no way, right? But yeah, I mean... big car. I mean, you can, it just depends on what level you want to race. I mean, there's guys that are spending a quarter million dollars on a car and there's guys that a hundred thousand, you know, probably cover it. Yep. So I talked to a rusty tickets. I said, rusty, I need some information on Jeremy, man. If I'm going to do this interview, hopefully good. Yeah, absolutely. Uh, rusty said, I mean, it's a pretty minimal operation when you go to a race, it's you, maybe somebody else, but that's it. Right. A lot of times. Right. I mean, even like last weekend, you know, I towed over there by myself and had a buddy that was, you know, willing to help me if I needed it, you know, basically more or less just loading, unloading cars. But as far as the tuning goes and all of that nature, I pretty much just handled that on my own, you know, but that was all... through the grapevines of learning and failure, too, you know, of what to do and what not to do. How about the guys that you're racing against? Is it more camaraderie, or is there rivalry going on there? You know, for the most part, I mean, like I said, it's a big family, but there are some... certain individuals that you when you line up you're you want to you know make stuff happen so try not to uh tip your hand too bad but yeah i mean there's for the most part it's a really good family sport i mean all around i mean good people you know when it's all said and done i mean everybody's grilling out and camping essentially it's just a it's a good time and like i said a lot of support out there So it costs a lot of money, I'm sure, to keep the cars racing and things like that. What's prize money? What's that like in your world of drag racing? You know, and that's changed a lot over the years. A lot of the sanctioning stuff that we go to, that's pretty much fixed. I mean, you pretty much average a win of... anywhere from five to $10,000, somewhere in there. But like last weekend, I went to that bracket race and they had Saturday was 21,000 to win and Sunday was 21,000 to win. So there's, there's different races you can go to and different purses that are available. It's just kind of what niche you want to go after. So. And you're looking at that going, that's mine? What's your mindset going into a race weekend? You try to stay humble. I mean, there's so many good competitive racers out there that it's hard to say, yeah, I'm going to go win this deal. I mean, obviously, in the back of your head, you always think that. But high side, I mean, there's 300-plus racers that are trying to achieve the same goal that you are. You just try to be the best that you can and try not to get too discouraged when you're going up to the starting line. Yeah. We talked a little bit before the podcast and he said, yeah, I mean, you could work your whole week trying to get your car ready and stuff and you get one shot. Right. Right. So, I mean, so explain how all that works. So they, they call it basically like time runs or time trials, however you want to kind of work qualifying as you will. But, uh, most races are, they might give you two, two hits at the track. So kind of gets you set up for the starting line, like seeing the tree and what the conditions are of the track and, and, And it just depends on the day. I mean, if there's heavy winds out there, crosswind, tailwind, I mean, all that plays a factor, too, in what your car is running. But and essentially, it's just, you know, to try to get yourself in that rhythm. Right. I mean, because most some races take seven, eight rounds to win. So you got to be perfect seven, eight times to be the top dog, you know, so. is it all weekend long is it a day is it that so there again it just depends on the the race you know um most of our stuff i mean it's they drag it out anymore but i mean typically we'll be on the road wednesday and get to the track get everything set up they'll give us a couple qualifiers and then we'll have one round on friday and two rounds on sat i mean so it's spread out right so to be on your game and ready to go. I mean, there's a lot of time in between rounds to stay focused. So I'm assuming with your success that people know when you're showing up to a race, don't they? Uh, anymore. Yeah. I mean, which good or bad, I don't know, but, uh, It's fun to race kind of out of our division, you know, out of the Midwest and go, you know, South or go out to, you know, Vegas and some of that, because I mean, they know you, but it's just, it's different, different people you're competing with too, you know? So it's not the same guys that you're seeing at the races every weekend. It's, it's nice to change it up once in a while. So tell me what a race is like. What is a drag race? Because I watched a couple on, I saw your dad on some videos on YouTube. Sure, sure. Like I said, it gets really confusing in the sportsman categories. You know, a lot of people think that, you know, you roll up to the starting line and it's the first one of the finish line. You know, the guy with the fastest car wins and That's how the pros, you know, that's how they still do it. But the sportsman stuff's not quite that way because they knew that, you know, the guy with the deepest pockets is going to essentially win. Right. So they try to make it as in many things. Yeah, 100 percent. But for the most part, it's. more diet you know there's a lot of math involved and like for the category that i race in it's a it's a certain index that we're shooting for elapsed time as you will in the quarter mile to as close to that as you can get so there's timers and and all kinds of stuff that we read and and uh dial off of to get as close as you can so that way it's really not who's the fastest who's the slowest you're still trying to achieve that index so okay what's what's the car you drive so right now i got a i'm actually partnered up with a customer of mine i've been driving his corvette for the last four years now which is kind of a whole nother story but uh but it's been good we've had a lot i think we might need to hear that story now we've had uh we've had a couple championships with it you know when i first got the car It needed a little work, some dialing, and we stayed on it. Between him, my dad, and myself, we got things tuned in and ended up, like I said, falling with a championship. So there's nothing really outstanding about that. I mean, you guys soup it up as much as you possibly can, but it's... It's still a driver's game. I mean, you gotta be, you gotta be a hundred percent on the tree, you know, on the starting line, as far as concentration, because you're talking tens of a thousandth of a second that you could win or lose by. So being as perfect as you can up front and, and, you know, dialing to have, you know, from the car being consistent at the end, I mean, there's just a lot of variables that go into being, uh, what you call perfect down the track. what does a driver have to do to be successful? Take me through a race one time and, and how terrifying is it before all hell breaks loose? Yeah. You know, and, and the experience goes a long ways. I mean, obviously when I was younger, you'd get, you know, the, the butterflies or the nerves as you will, when you're rolling up for a final round or heck even first round, but the more you get yourself or put yourself in that situation, the easier it becomes. But even like last fall, you know, chasing the world championship and, uh, we get out to Vegas and it's just a, it's a different feeling, you know, where you're essentially your own destiny. I mean, you, you gotta try to do the best you can and, you know, you still gotta be proud of yourself for, you know, where you ended up regardless, you know, but, uh, It's being on the stage is, it's hard to explain. What makes a good driver? You know, practice. I mean, it's like anything, any sport, any, anything that you put your heart in. I mean, it's a lot of time and effort. And like I said, blood shed and tears that go into this stuff, but you know, there's people that go to drag racing schools and things like that, but I've never been to one of those. I've got some buddies that have, and there's certain things that you just, you can't, you gotta put yourself in that situation and put yourself in that situation atmosphere, I guess, to understand what it, what it takes. I mean, strapping the helmet on, you know, it's a hundred degrees outside and you're sweating, the sweats running down your face and you're trying to stare at a bulb that, you know, you're trying to be perfect on essentially. And then when, when you cut the, cut it loose, you know, and you're going that speed and there again trying to focus on where you're at and what's going on there's just a lot to it how fast do you get up to almost 200 miles per hour yeah i mean like heck even in my dad's category anymore those guys are you know low six seconds at 220 in the quarter mile and um which is you know you got to be paying attention to what's going on i mean a lot of things can happen real fast My dad was in an incident several years ago where the competitor next to him actually blew up and crossed in front of him. And, you know, my dad had nowhere to go, and it's not like you're going to swerve. You know, it's not like, oh, shoot, what do we do now? You know, but fortunate, you know, with the safety equipment and all the things, you know, having good cars and good equipment, you know, he essentially walked away. No issues, no problems other than a wrecked car, but... No insurance, by the way, on this stuff, I'm assuming, right? Well, actually, there is an insurance you can do. Yeah, of course. I don't want to see the deductible on that, by the way. It's pretty stout, but anymore, it's worth it. How physically demanding is driving? Is the mechanic stuff more physically demanding or the driving? I would say the driving. I mean, the mechanic side is there, but we try to prep the best we can before we even roll out the door. I mean, it's not like... I'm going to drive halfway across the country, and I'm like, man, I just don't feel good about this thing even starting. I mean, that's just not how we operate. But to be, like I said, to put yourself in a championship level, being as prepared is the whole goal. I mean, and I got taught that at a very young age. You know, there's no sense even hooking the trailer up if you don't feel like you can go win. That's kind of our look on things and how we represent ourselves even at the track with our customers and all of that. We show up to be successful the best that we can be. any superstition going into these things. I'm sure you've got some people that have superstitions. You might chuckle at them and go, they gotta, they gotta do this before a race or something. Right. Right. And I don't know. It's funny. You know, you watch some drivers and some, you know, do the same thing. And, and I'm sure I do too. I don't even think about it. You know, it's just a routine of, you know, you might put your left glove on first every time versus you're right. I don't know, but it's just a, I couldn't even tell you that. I guess I just have my own little procedure that I do before each race. And, and, uh, seems to be working for the most part. So I don't want to change anything. It's gotta be scary though. When you stop and think about it, you've had to be in some serious situations. Yeah. And, uh, got an example of that. Maybe I, uh, I was actually in Denver one year racing and obviously with weather changes out there, I mean, it could sunny one minute and five minutes later, it's downpouring and exactly. That's what happened. I was, uh, going down the track and got to the finish line and it cut loose rain. And, uh, you're going 180 mile an hour and you're trying to stop a car on basically a sheet of ice was an experience, but luckily everything worked out like it was supposed to, but things can happen. And like I said, they happen really fast and you just try to be the most prepared that you can for anything that could come your way. God forbid any injuries. Has that ever happened to you? No, we've, uh, like I said, knock on wood, we've been, even with my dad's incident and, uh, you know, he's raised, like I said, his whole life. And that was his only, uh, accident that he had along the way. And, uh, I haven't had any issues as far as that goes. Obviously had some mechanical failures, and you're going to have that. Parts failures happen, which they change some stuff. They always try to make it better safety-wise. A lot of us have to run a containment device underneath the engine, and some of them have to run underneath the transmission. But basically, it's a blanket that... So if something fails or blows up that it doesn't get that fluid underneath the tires that make it where potentially can crash or whatnot. So there's a lot of safety stuff that goes into it, too, which is beneficial. Last year, we said you won the championship. Explain the championship to us because it's a little different in drag racing than it is like in a normal. Right, right. So we have we basically contest. We have seven divisions throughout the United States. The Midwest basically is division five and they kind of spread it out where that way you don't have to travel as far if you just want to race your division stuff as you will. But you basically race eight races. They take your best five is kind of how your scorecard works. But if you're racing on the national level. you can pick six national events you can go to, and they take your best three. So overall, a national championship, you have eight races that they look at points-wise, and that's kind of how you're ranked. So last year, I won the division championship by quite quite a few points. And that's kind of where it put me like, well, I could do a few of these nationals and kind of see where it shakes out. And I went to Dallas and ended up winning the division down the division race down there and which put me tied for the lead in the world. So then we're starting to think, okay, now, now where are we going to go? But, uh, my dad actually, he, uh, he's like, well, we, we just got to go to Vegas. So we threw my car in his rig and, and, uh, he hauled me out there and we had a really good time. My brother ended up flying in and we got to, you know, the boys got to hang out and have a We ended up finishing fourth overall in the world. So it was a good tail end to it. Could you imagine when you started racing junior drag racing that you'd reach this kind of height? You know, it's always a goal. Even at a young age, I wanted to be a world champion. You know, that's still the goal. You know, I finished... When I was running a different class, I finished top 10 in the world three times in that. Until I switched categories, I was two-time division champion. But like I said, it gets so techie at the end of the year and chasing points. There's just a lot to it to be the world champ, right? So that's still a goal. It's still a goal. It's probably just the slightest difference in the car and luck and strategy. Luck is so much anymore. I mean, there's just so many good racers and to be... you know, that good all year with, you know, minimal flaws is, is tough. I mean, a lot of moving components in a car for one, and then, uh, mentally to be focused through, you know, an entire year to, to, to win the championship. So you said you guys haven't really started racing this year yet. No, we've, we've been out a few times. I went to, I went to St. Louis, which that was a rain out essentially. And, uh, My dad hasn't been out yet. We're working on getting his deal wrapped up, but we're going to head up north to Brainerd will be our first. They actually have a double divisional up there, followed by a national event. So we'll get three races up there and then we're going to hit it pretty hard here toward the fall. How long is the racing season? So typically, like the pros start, I think they start in March. and it'll run all the way to November. So, I mean, it's a, it's a full, full year of, uh, of racing, but we typically don't start until, you know, May, June, just getting our customers out and get our clients out, you know, to, to get them out racing too. I like to make sure they're taken care of before we get out and go, go race and play too. So how about sponsorship? Do people just don't want to give that. I mean, sponsors are tough anyway to get. I got a few that, like I said, I got a few local ones that have always been really good. And, uh, I got one corporate one that I've been dealing with for the last four years. You know, it's a trailer company out of Florida, right? Trailers and even Mickey Thompson tires, you know, they, they help us with tires and stuff throughout the year. And, It's kind of nice with this business, too. You know, I got some great relationships with even fuel, you know, racing fuels. So Fuel Factory helps us out. And it's every little bit helps. You know, I mean, it's just one of those sports that, you know, if you can get 10 bucks, you feel like you want something, you know, so it's good. Would you ever drop the store to go racing full time? Is that a possibility? I mean, I don't think I'd ever do that. Just. i have a lot of love into this place you know and obviously my dad you know he built all this up and and i want to you know try to move that to the next chapter too what we can grow with it and uh and he says he's retired but he still comes in and and does his deal too so it's nice to have him around every day and and uh kind of help us with you know he's got that experience you know so we could always use a little of that so Around the Thanksgiving table, you guys talking racing all the time? Pretty much. Yeah, my mom kind of gets sick of that once in a while, I think. But the family gets it. They've known we've done this our whole life, and that's just kind of what we do. So they support it. Who is in the family, by the way? We should recognize your dad, Larry. We talked about him. Yep, my mom, Cindy, she's always supported everything we've ever done. Keeps the home front good when we're gone. And for a long time, she never went. It was just dad and I. And my brother would come when he could, but he moved out to Denver. in 2007 and, uh, essentially been there ever since. So he, he tries to make the races when he can, and he's a big supporter, even when he's not there, you know, getting text messages and whatnot and, and, uh, you know, giving us encouragement. We could always use that. Right. So he, uh, he's always been good, but you know, they're, they always support us, you know, dad and I are thankful for that. And that, uh, definitely means a lot. Even our employees, you know, they're, they've taken care of the reins when we're gone. And I mean, like I said before, they've, they're essentially family, you know, so they, uh, they make it happen. Talk about Carol a little bit. How does that work into the equation? I mean, you said you don't want to leave Carol or anything like that. So what does Carol mean to you? You know, I was born and raised here. It's, uh, you know, it's a great community and, you know, even being on the Carol fire department with great guys out there and, You know, they give me some crap once in a while, obviously, with me being gone a lot. But they still support, you know, they understand and respect what I do. And when I am around, I try to help out the best I can. But like I said, I mean, just trying to give back where I can to the community with being on there. And it's great. You know, I just, I love... even the small town stuff, you know, the business, you know, if you have any questions or concerns, you got a buddy you can call that's typically in that industry or market or whatever that can guide you in the, in the right direction without being scammed. Right. So it's kind of nice. And, uh, you just can't get that anywhere else. So you're in a race card. That's kind of scary. You're a volunteer fire department. I'm sure there's been some scary moments there. Which one's more scary? Oh, I don't know. I, uh, The fire department, you know, there again, it's training, you know, you can't just step into that deal and think you're going to be a, you know, professional at it. I mean, it takes a lot of training and that's why we train every Monday, you know, typically, uh, throughout the year and, and, uh, the drills are great and they help you, uh, to keep us safe, you know, so without our training committee and, and, and the great guys at the department, you know, to put us in, you know, scenarios that could happen. So it's good. Yeah. Anything that makes you nervous when you get into the race car? Not really. I mean, like I said, I've, I've, I'd be terrified. I've been, that's too high. Nobody really realizes how fast, like almost 200 miles an hour is, you know, and I always say it's, it's not really the speed it's that's the best part, but it's when you, when you got to stop, I mean, that's when you know how fast you're going when the, when the parachutes come out and they throw you forward, you're like, Oh, okay. I was moving a little bit there, you know, but No, I mean, I I enjoy it so much that it's just it's an adrenaline deal, you know, just like on the fire side. I mean, it's there's nothing like which I hate to even say, but, you know, a structure fire, you know, I mean, it gets your blood flowing and going in and doing stuff. It's just a adrenaline type junkie, I guess. But you see any point in the future that you're going to stop racing? Not at this point. I just got to keep working, I guess, because it's not getting any cheaper. Say you win the world championship. Are you going to hang it up then? I might just change it up. I don't know if I'd race as hard. I don't think I could ever give up racing. it just gets stressful. I mean, being on the road, being gone, I mean, obviously hard on relationships, all kinds of stuff, you know, I mean, you just get, uh, and you're alone a lot, you know? So, I mean, it's tough. So I would probably go back a little bit and, and, uh, kind of enjoy life around here a I mean, when you go from a zero to 200 miles an hour, that's adrenaline. I can't even imagine what any other racing kind of satisfy that for you. Yeah. I mean, the guys that work in the shop here, they got dirt cars and stuff. And that's always kind of been an interest to try sometime just to see what it's like, you know? Um, and we build a lot of figure eight stuff and that's kind of a different style. I mean, I don't know if I could get involved with that, but, uh, It's one of those deals that comes down to competition, too. I mean, the competition is what kind of drives you in some of that, you know, from from weekend to weekend. And there again, having a little success goes a long ways, too. So but I mean, motorsports all around, I enjoy. But drag racing is kind of where my heart's at. Last question I got for you really is, is, is about your dad. Talk about him and his influence in your life. Cause none of this would have happened to you unless your dad was into it. Right? Right. Right. Um, and like I said, at a young age, I, uh, my dad worked all the time. I mean, that's his whole goal, you know, was, you know, obviously to, to support and take care of us as kids. And, uh, He worked, he worked his fingers to the bones, man. I mean, he, uh, he grew this empire and you know, when I was, like I said, in like eighth grade, I think it was, I said, you know what, I'm just not going to do any of these sports. I'm going to, I'm going to race and I'm going to be side by side with him. And, and, uh, we pretty much stuck it out ever since, you know, and like I said, he's, he's still here and, and, you know, we took ownership, uh, in 21, Mike Tigas and I, and, uh, it's been a, it's been a great, great journey. You know, Mike's a great business partner. He does a lot and supports the racing as well. You know, he, uh, takes care of the reins when I'm gone and, and, uh, never, never discourages the fact that we're on the road. He, he supports it a hundred percent. And that, uh, that means a lot to me, obviously, but like on my dad's side, you know, he, uh, even the college side, I'm like, ah, I don't think I need to go to school. You know, I'm just gonna, you know, uh, just work here. He's like, no, you need to go to school. So I ended up going to an engine program up in Northern Minnesota. And, uh, And as you're firing, but I, uh, I went, I went up there for, it's supposed to be a two year program. And early on in the few weeks of being there, my instructor and I really didn't see eye to eye. And, uh, So he, he essentially gave me a test. He goes past this and do the hands-on part. We'll just put you in all the second year program. We'll get you out of here. So I did all that. Things went smooth and, uh, got all my certifications and stuff and then end up, uh, moving back and, and, he kind of helped me all the way, you know, to where we're at now, you know, and, and I can't say, you know, I, I couldn't do it without him. And there's still a lot of things that he does around here that, you know, eventually I'll have to step into the roles of, but, but he's still, you know, building motors and making power and, still to this day loves it and i and i do too and that's what uh works for us and and like i said we got great guys that help us through all that process which couldn't do without them either i mean there's a lot to building an engine that a lot of people don't realize and it takes a lot of perfection and uh you only get one shot at it so Well, I'll tell you what, next time you walk into Napa, know that they got a championship level racing operation going on here in the back. Right, right. Like I said, it's been great. And even the guys, you know, that dirt track race, they've had a lot of success. You know, so all around all forms of racing and it doesn't even have to be racing. I mean, we work on a lot of day to day drivers, too, you know, so whatever is broke down, you know, we'll we'll take care of it any way we can. Well, I'll be darned. Mike Franey was right. I should have talked to you long before this. Jeremy Demers. Thanks, man, for doing this. I appreciate it. Making making time for this interview. No, I appreciate it. Thanks, man. It must know people right here in Carroll. It is Jeremy Demers.
