Rum Bums Keep Cool Thru Crunch Time

If you could be a fly on the wall in the Rum Bum trailer, you'd not only see two Buell Pro Stock motorcycles splashed with a spectrum of vibrant hues, you'll also spot a hot Les Paul and a bright orange amp. These musical tools represent one of RumBum racer Shawn Gann's favorite relaxation methods - plucking the ol' six string. That is, if you could "pluck" a tune by Marilyn Manson.

There's only three races left in the NHRA Full Throttle Race Series and O'Reilly Midsouth Nationals in Memphis is the next leg of the competition. "It's crunch time," said Gann. The anti-drama, cool-as-a-cucumber racer strives to release any mental strains that may plague him. Earlier this week, Gann spent some quality time with his wife and two young boys. "You want Buzz juices?" he asked. (Presumably Lightyear adorned the packaging.) He sounds relaxed and at peace with his family. "My life is the best I can imagine," the proud papa beamed.

But that doesn't mean that his racing life isn't stress free. One of the most extreme challenges is staying calm in the face of chaos and stress. Simply the desire to please his fans and perform to his greatest potential for himself and his team continuously builds motivation - and pressure. "Pressure: it is so strange how it works," Gann remarked. "Its one of those things you have to try and avoid at all costs."

Likewise, RumBum racer Bailey Whitaker constantly shoots to make himself and his team proud. Though he had a great first run with a time of 7.182 at last weekends race, Whitaker just missed Sunday's elimination round by a hair. He's hitting the track again this weekend armed with some powerful new ammo courtesy of Gann's pop, Crew Chief Blake Gann, and the other RumBum racing crew members. "Bailey's running a new engine this week in hopes to find his niche in the game," Gann said of his teammate.

Both RumBums will be at the start line this weekend with only a handful of races left to take it to the wall. "We fly out [Thursday] morning," Gann said. "Then we're off to see the wizard. Haha!"