10 to Go with Thomas Puccia

This week’s 10 to Go is with Tom Puccia, the driver of the No. 51 Blunderbust.

When did you start racing?

Thomas Puccia: I got into racing when John Clancy got into Blunderbusts in 1994. I started working on his car as a kid. And from there I learned everything and finally got behind the wheel. 2011 was my first year racing and just got more experience and that’s how I’m here today.

Is the Blunderbust the only car you’ve driven?

Puccia: Yeah. I’ve never driven anything else on the track, just a Blunderbust.

What car would you like to get into the most?

Puccia: I’d like to get into a Late Model or something else like that. But I wouldn’t mind staying in a Blunderbust until I feel ready to move up. We bump and rub on each other and that’s really cool. Other divisions really can’t do that.

What tracks have you raced at?

Puccia: Riverhead is the only track I’ve raced on. I’ve been to Mountain and tracks like that, but Riverhead is the only track I’ve raced at.

What track would you most want to race at?

Puccia: Wall Stadium. That looks like a cool, high-banked, fast track. That would be cool to try.

Do you have any superstitions or routines that you do each week? Any lucky charms?

Puccia: I wear the same hat. I try to do the same thing every weekend. I don’t want to break it. I feel like something’s going to happen. I’m really superstitious. It’s just a routine that I do each week. So I just do the same thing each week just to keep it in line. I don’t want to change it, God forbid something happens.

What is your favorite racing moment?

Puccia: Probably when I finished second last year. I really got a taste of what it’s like to lead laps and how close I came to winning a race. I led the first 12 or 13 laps and just came up a little short, but I really got a taste of what it’s almost like to win.

What’s your most embarrassing moment?

Puccia: The first time I ever started on the outside pole I went to pull into second but then I backed up and I hit the wall because I was too far up. I went to back up and into second and I hit the wall. That was pretty funny. Everybody was laughing.

Have you suffered any injuries racing?

Puccia: No, just sore necks. Stuff like that from accidents. Nothing serious like broken bones or anything like that.

How long do you see yourself racing?

Puccia: Until it ends. Until I have a family or something. So probably until I can’t do it anymore.
Source: Rob Blount/LongIslandJam.com