What is AMA Road Racing Pro Superbike? Who is Larry Pegram? What is the Pegram Racing team all about? I can now answer all these questions because I have been at the Daytona International Speedway for the past two days, getting to know the sport, well-known racer Larry Pegram, and his amazing crew. Again, one would think I am giving all this praise because Pegram Racing is sponsored by yours truly; Foremost Insurance, but that’s not the case. This team is really one-of-a-kind in the Pro Superbike series, reigning that they are the only team that is family run and owned by the racer himself.
Superbike: is like nothing I have ever seen. The riders suit up in their leathers, hop on their bikes and hit speeds of over 200 miles an hour to win a podium. Superbike is run on a modified production motorcycle and Larry Pegram rides a BMW model from Germany. He rode the same bike last year, but has made some adjustments to it this year to make it more productive and faster.
Suiting up for the qualifying rounds.
Larry Pegram: team owner, manager and racer, father and husband, funny, likable and incredibly personable. There are probably a lot of other adjectives I could throw in there, but the fact is; the guy is amazing. He is the only racer that owns and manages his own team. He is extremely driven and motivated and doesn’t accept less than the best. He’s awesome. Period.
Larry is very well-known in this series, here he is being interviewed by AMA.
Pegram Race team: This is the true phenomenon. His crew is headed up by his Mom, Mary and Dad, Jim. This team is a family affair and you feel it. His Mom Mary is the accountant, manager, delicious cook, time recorder, and the list goes on and on. His dad Jim drives their rig to all races, manages the crew and basically runs the operation in the paddock area. Did I mention that his sister got married at Victory lane at the Daytona International Speedway this weekend?
Larry’s sister got married at Victory lane this week!
He also has a beautiful family made up of his wife Heather, who just happens to also be amazing and his two adorable daughters, Riley and Sophie. Riley, age 7, is learning the business quick and sells temporary tattoos to other teams and crews, applying them first for a fee like a good entrepreneur. Of course, the rest of his team feels like family and have an amazing persona among them.
Larry, getting a tattoo from Riley and some assistance from Sophie.
His wife Heather does it all!
In short or long after looking at how much I just gushed on about this family, this team is totally incredible and I feel so lucky to be able to be a part of it.
Stay tuned for more Superbike adventures coming up this weekend and for the rest of the year during the AMA Road Racing Superbike 2012 series!
