NASCAR was always a part of David Spake’s life, even if only in his mind.
“I’m an old North Carolina boy,” Spake said. “I was born where NASCAR started and I was around it growing up. I just loved the excitement of it all, the smells of gas, oil and tires.”
Spake worked at the Hickory Speedway for years as a kid.
“Our church had fundraisers there and I worked on scout projects,” he said, noting that some of that experience went on his track record toward his Eagle Scout badge.
“I had cousins who built race cars and were winning drivers, but I just never got around to doing myself,” the Duluth resident said.
For 34 years he worked in management for IBM Global Services. In retirement he shifted gears to work as a termite sales scheduler for Allgood Pest Solutions, which requires driving but not quite the kind he’s always dreamed of.
It’s not that Spake has led a dull and boring life. His adventures have included flying planes, skydiving and restoring old cars. He’s especially proud of his ’57 Chevy, but it’s still not a racecar.
He was aware of the Rookie Rush driving program at Atlanta Motor Speedway, but didn’t think seriously about it because of the cost.
But in 2000, when Spake was in his early 50s, his mother came to live with his family. That year for Lent, his church, St. Mary and St. Martha of Bethany Episcopal Church in Buford, offered Wednesday night classes on life enrichment for the golden years. They thought it would be of benefit to his mother. One night, the instructor suggested that when people turn 50, it would be a good idea to take a defensive driving course. Spake recalls that he said out loud, “Defensive driving course? I need a Richard Petty driving course.”
His wife took note and tucked it away in her mind. But the cost was still a factor. Until last year when she saw a Groupon two-for-one offer online. She gave it to him and their son Trent as a Father’s Day gift.
“There was a lot of rush and nervousness on the front end,” Spake said. “You drive a two-seat car with the instructor who is in radio communication with the other cars and holds a hand mirror to see around them. You get maximum thrill for minimal risk. The driving isn’t timed, but I did get going fast enough to pass another car.”
After all those years that this dream had been idling, Spake might have just looked upon it as an item on his bucket list. But just up the road in Jefferson, he discovered the newly renovated state-of-the-art Gresham Motorsports Park. Spake found himself another Groupon. He found a buddy to share the experience and the expense and they are both revved up and ready to roll.
Susan Larson is a freelance writer who lives in Lilburn. E-mail her at susanlarson4@yahoo.com or comment below her column.
