Biofile with Tim Tetrick

Biofile with Tim Tetrick  | read this item

Status: Harness racing driver of the year in 2007 and 2008.

Ht: 5-9 Wt: 150

DOB: November 11, 1982 In: Flora, Illinois

First Memory Of Racing: “Growing up on the county fairs. Racing with my dad on the country fair circuit and just learning the basics and just working around the racetracks.”

Inspirations: “Competing, getting to compete on a high level and getting to drive good horses and just getting to do something I love every day.”

Last Book Read: “[Laughs] I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell.”

Favorite Movies: “I like classic movies, any comedy movies, anything that makes me laugh and feel good about everything.”

Nicknames: “Tiny Tim, Timmy T, Bionic Man.”

Hobbies/Interests: “Right now I don’t have much time for anything. When I do have a little time I like spending it with the family and just sitting on the couch.”

First Job: “Cleaning stalls.”

First Car: “Ford pickup truck.”

Current Car: “Lexus GS 150.”

Pre-Race Feeling: “I just think how I could get my horse the best trip that’s possible. And trying to make as much money for the owner and myself.”

Favorite Meal: “Chicken and broccoli.”

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Strawberry, chocolate and vanilla, I like all three.”

Greatest Sports Moment: “Winning the Meadowlands Pace twice was pretty huge.”

Most Painful Moment: “My career’s been pretty good. I don’t have too many painful moments.”

Favorite Racetrack: “Anywhere I can win [smiles].”

Strangest Race: “One day at Maywood Park we were going to the half and the lights went out. That was pretty scary – the last half with no lights. In a rain storm. (How did you finish?) I don’t remember, I was scared to death, thinking you couldn’t see nothing and all you could see was the reflection of the bikes.”

Embarrassing Racing Memory: “Getting dumped out here when a horse reared up. I fell off the back. The horse got loose, got scratched, tore up the bike and everything.”

Funny Memory: “Just things, hanging out with the guys, some of the things they say, that’s about the funniest things.”

Favorite Sport Outside Harness Racing: “I love watching football and I like college playoffs for basketball.”

Childhood Dream: “I’m living it now. Just always wanted to be a horse race driver and make a good living driving horses.”

Last Vacation: “Oh geez, I guess over holidays, I went home, spent time with my family back in Illinois and for like two weeks I did absolutely nothing.”

Meanest Horse: “I don’t drive too many of those, no.”

Most Emotional Victory: “Probably winning the Meadowlands Pace was pretty cool. And last year, winning it with One More Laugh. Lots of pressure to win with him – he was one of the favorites. I always knew he was a good horse and he pulled through for me.”

Comparing The Difference Of Racing In Sweden And The U.S.: “Probably the way the fans in Sweden follow it and enjoy it so much. It’s really a big sport over there and the fans just go crazy for our sport. They know everything about the horses and the drivers. It’s like our football is their horse racing over there.”

Your 2011 Hambletonian Picks: “I think there are four or five that have got shots. Pastor Stephen. Big Rig is coming back good, he’s qualified really good for Kelly O’Donnell. And can’t knock out Themanofmanymissions for Erv Miller. He’s been awesome.”

People Qualities Most Admired: “Mainly just honesty. And stay true to your word and treat people like you want to be treated.”

Career Accomplishments: Won Meadowlands Pace twice (2007, 2010); Set record for number of wins for a single year with 1189 in 2007 (surpassed previous 1998 season total of 1077 by Walter Case); Two-time winner of Driver Of The Year Award by U.S. Harness Writer’s Association.

Topics: Bionic Man, Car Ford, Car Lexus, County Fairs, Flora Illinois, Ford Pickup, Ford Pickup Truck, Funniest Things, Good Horses, Greatest Sports, Harness Racing, Hobbies Interests, Lexus Gs, Maywood Park, Meadowlands Pace, Painful Moment, Rain Storm, Sports Moment, Tim Tetrick, Timmy T, Tiny Tim