Tommy Ivo is true racing royalty. One of the most famous drag racers in the history of the sport, his story is well known. In short, he was a child actor who for 20 years appeared on the stage, in movies, and on television. He also became with hot rods, fast cars, and an activity that wayward youths participated in called drag racing. That early obsession would lead to him building 36 cars throughout his career and racing at virtually every strip in North America.
Car & Driver recently caught up with Ivo and peppered him with some pretty decent questions and he gave some typically great answers. In our limited experience with Ivo he has always been accomodating and tolerant of people asking the same questions he’s been answering for thirty years or more. He’s just a nice man.
One thing that he touches on in the interview that we’d like to reinforce is that he was a hands on guy. His reputation and selling point to promoters is that his operation was spotless, totally first class, and always in running shape. At the track he always appeared to have his stuff together while others were asses and elbows wrenching on their junk. His secret was an inverted sleep schedule which saw him up all night laying in puddles of oil and whatever else was pouring out of the car while everyone else was asleep. Ivo could, and did, wrench with the best of them in his day which is something far too many people overlook about his career.
Thanks to DragRacingOnline’s Darr Hawthorne for the tip!
