When team owner Mel Bush left Bristol Dragway, he did so with a smile on his face, knowing that his team has made tremendous strides towards their goal of winning a race in 2012.
Driver Tommy D’Aprile made it to the final round in a Pro Extreme class that is packed with talented drivers. One a day of career-bests, D’Aprile’s first final was incredibly fulfilling for the entire team.
“I am so happy, this has been our goal for a long time, to make it to a final round, and even though we didn’t win the race, we ran career best E.T.’s and went toe-to-toe with Jason Scruggs, one of the best drivers in the class. I feel like we as a team really came together and our future is bright,” said Mel Bush.
The Mel Bush Motorsports crew consists of Jake Fahy, who has been with the team for four years. He brought in Mike Dusinski and Alex Diekfuss late last season, and the trio works 
together on Bob Bode’s NHRA Funny Car team. For Jake, that’s a major bonus.
“We work well together and we all have one goal for the season and that is to win a race this season. We share that goal with tuner Todd Tutterow and his team. It was a great weekend in Bristol, to go to the final round in Pro Extreme is a victory in itself and we are excited to head to Maple Grove on a high note,” said Fahy.
For Driver Tommy D’Aprile, the weekend saw him set his career best ET at a 3.67, a round after another run in the 3.60s.
The string of 3.60s gives him confidence heading into next week’s Northeast Drags II presented by Penske at Maple Grove Raceway.
“I knew it was going to be a good run but when I saw a 3.67, I was overjoyed. It’s no secret that we have struggled the last couple seasons, but this proves that hard work and perseverance pays off,” D’Aprile said. “What a weekend it was in Bristol, and I am just so grateful to be able to drive for Mel Bush Motorsports.
“I want to say thank you to all who made this past weekend so memorable: Jake, Alex, Mike, Brad Schmidt, Todd Tutterow and his family, Denise Ramsey, and Mel and Johanne Bush. Without you all this would not be possible. It was great job by everyone. I am so proud of all of you.”
(Photos by ADRL/Richards)
