Steve Tigelman: DragChamp Racer Spotlight

Steve Tigelman is in this week’s DragChamp Racer Spotlight. Learn all about this DragChamp Pro Member in his spotlight below!

EAST PALESTINE, OH – Steve Tigelman’s journey into drag racing spans a quarter of a century, starting the moment he received his driver’s license in June of 1998. Yet, his connection to the sport began long before, thanks to his father’s friend, Clark, who introduced him to the thrill of racing during his childhood.

Today, Steve is a seasoned competitor, taking on the Mod and No Box classes at his home track, Quaker City Motorsports Park in Salem, Ohio. He also enjoys traveling to Dragway 42 and Summit Motorsports Park at least once a year.

Learn more about Steve below!

Racing History

It was through Clark’s 1969 Chevelle, known as the Rapid Rat, that Steve’s passion for speed was ignited at the young age of 8. What began as occasional outings to the racetrack quickly evolved into a full-fledged commitment, with Steve accompanying Clark to races every single weekend for a staggering 15 years. Whether it was lending a hand in the garage or offering support at the track, Steve’s unwavering dedication knew no bounds. Not even school activities could deter him from his love of racing. Reflecting on those years, Steve acknowledges the profound influence Clark had on his life, likening his mentorship to that of a second father.

As mentioned, Steve primarily competes in Mod and No Box classes, although last year he participated in both Top/Box and Mod/No Box throughout the entire season. He footbraked up until 2018 when he made the switch to a transbrake. In his early racing days, Steve would race anything, even his grandma’s station wagon.

His Race Car

Steve’s race car is a 1982 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am small tire car, weighing in at 3,350 pounds with him in the driver’s seat. It’s been his pride and joy for over a decade now. Under the hood lies a Steve Schmidt bottom end 418 Small Block Chevy, fed by alcohol, and expertly assembled by JK Junk, better known as Jeff Kinnan from Akron, Ohio. Sporting AFR 220 heads, Edelbrock intake (ported by Eric Weingarter), and has a Ron’s Terminator for fuel delivery. Transmitting that power to the pavement is a JK Junk PowerGlide paired with a Ford 9-inch rear end. Currently, it runs 6.20s at 110mph in the 1/8 mile.

Outside of Racing

When Steve’s not behind the wheel of his race car, he enjoys spending time with his family, researching parts for his race car, and catching an episode or two of Big Brother. By day, he’s a Production Operator at an Ethylene Cracker Plant.

As for food, Steve’s go-to favorites include Chinese dishes, pizza, and pierogis. And contrary to popular belief, he does have a few pairs of shoes that aren’t Crocs.

Accomplishments

Throughout Steve’s racing career, he’s racked up numerous wins and runner-ups at his local tracks. In 1999, he was crowned as the Rookie of the Year at Dragway 42. Steve also landed a few second and third-place finishes in the Mod class. His biggest achievements to date would have to be winning the $2,500 No Box category not once, but twice at the Quaker City Big Buck Nationals.

Steve’s Q&A

What’s on your bucket list, future goals, what do you hope to achieve?

I have been chasing points the last few years in hopes of grabbing that season Championship. I have been coming up short by a round or 2 the last couple of seasons and it seems like either rain or parts breakage hinders that chase on the last points day of the year.  Maybe I should do better during the other points days and not put myself in these positions lol.  So a points championship and a trip to the world finals is on my bucket list. I would also like to take a season to race some of the big money races and possibly travel some more. 

What is your favorite race car, and why? 

A tube chassis Chevy Beretta. I will own one someday.

Who has made the biggest impact on your racing success?

My wife, Josalyn.  If it wasn’t for her fully supporting me then my racing dreams would have been over a long time ago. She makes it possible for me to go racing in many different ways. She understands that racing is my passion and is always making sure I have everything I need to be able to race. She’s the perfect wife.

Who do you look up to in the sport?

I have a few I look up to. I have always looked up to Chris Weinkamer, I grew up from the start watching him and his brother Bill race their 1986 Ford Thunderbird called Thunder Boss. To this day that is my favorite car ever. Unfortunately, it was wrecked years ago, but I have a piece of the car hanging on my garage wall. Chris has been racing longer than I have been alive, so he always has a solution or an answer if we have a problem. Luckily being 8 years old watching him race, I now have the pleasure to be able to race and pit with him to this day at 41 years old.  Bracket finals 2022 was awesome because he runnered-up in Top and I made it down to 4 in Mod so we were going rounds together. It was the most fun race ever! I also look up to Jeff Kinnan, he does all of the work on my car and his knowledge, advice and guidance is priceless. I have him to thank for a car that should be illegal because it’s so deadly. And obviously Clark, the one that got me started in all this mess and raised me. 

How do you support your racing, side hustle, sponsor, partner, etc.?

My wife handles all the bills and she makes it happen for me. I don’t have any sponsors. I have tried to gain a few sponsors but it seems impossible. 

Who do you hate to see in the other lane, and why? 

Well this is a tough question because I race at Quaker City Motorsports Park and there are some badddddddd dudes that race there. We have won 3 out of the last 4 Bracket final championships a team if that tells you anything. 

What’s the hardest part of drag racing?

The fact that you literally win or lose by thousandths of a second, which is hard to fathom sometimes. And in those thousandths of a second you have to make decisions 

What are you saying to yourself just before you stage the car?

Nothing at all, I am completely shut down emotionally (usually) and focused on the moment and what I am about to do and rely on muscle memory.

What do you enjoy the most at the racetrack?

Friends and family. I love racing, I eat, sleep, and breathe racing, but racing is not as fun unless you have those completely nutty/crazy friends that you always pit with that make it fun each weekend for you and your family. I love that we have our camper at the track so that my family can come out any time with me.

Are you superstitious?  If so, what are they? 

Yes. But it’s just a bunch of little things. If I win and do something different that day then that thing becomes a new superstition/routine.

Do you love to win or hate to lose? 

I don’t mind losing for a good reason. I absolutely hate losing when I was in control of the race and messed it up somehow, like if I had the guy and give it back or something I did.

Which are you better at the starting line or the finish line? 

It all depends on the day and how I see either of them. But I mainly try to be better at the starting line and let the car do the rest of the work.

What motivates you to continue racing?

My family and friends. I look forward to going to the track each weekend to hang out with my friends, wife and children. Also a big motivator is to make my family proud.  

If money were no object, what would your racing operation look like?  Car, trailer, class, race schedule, etc.

I would race about 10 months out of the year and take 2 months off. I would have a comfortable set up but not to big and travel everywhere. 

How often do you use a practice tree? 

Hardly ever. During the winter I might hit it a few times because I miss racing.

What is your daily driver?

2005 GMC Sierra 2500 Duramax and a 2008 Chevy Silverado 1500

Favorite music, artist? 

None really, just depends on my mood.

What is your favorite sport?  Favorite team?

I don’t really watch sports. 

Besides racing, what do you do in your free time?

If I am not working or doing family things I am racing or preparing to race. So there really isn’t a besides racing. 

What are you really good at?

Making babies……. Lol my wife and I have 9 children together. I have to be good at something

Would you rather hang out with a crowd or have a quiet evening at home? 

I’d rather have a quiet evening at home with my wife and family.

Who would you like to thank, who helps you the most?

I have a lot of people to thank. First and foremost, my wife, Josalyn, who is my biggest supporter and believes in me and my craziness. She doesn’t kill me when I need to spend tons of money on racing or fixing the car if needed. I’m also grateful for the people listed above, but also for the friendships and brotherhood formed through drag racing. My pit area is now filled with laughter, complete stupidity, and never a dull moment. Clay, Bruce, Chris, Jamie, and a few others who join us sometimes are always down to fix something and bust your balls.

For more DragChamp racer spotlights, click here.

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