Don is most appreciative of his role, his family, his accomplishments and the people who have aided him and made his quest possible. "I don't know if I really earned it, but it's because the right people are doing the right job," he says with an honest humility. To him it is an inconceivable dream come true.

His first-ever pass in a top fuel car was almost anti-climactic. "It was not as dramatic as I expected," says the strapping young lion, "but it was really phenomenal. The first pass is always nerve-racking. It is at every race. So is the first round on Sunday."

Although he regrets time away from home and friends, the ex-roundy-round racer who made the switch "from 80 horsepower to 6000" wouldn't have it any other way. It's now in his blood.

"The best day in my life at the track was setting the IHRA National speed record at 307 mph on only my 14th pass in the car. The worst day was against Bruce Litton at Cordova when I broke on the line," Lampus said. Well Don, it happens to the best of them, and it probably won't be the last time. But if that's the worst day in his life, he leads a blessed existence.

The champ has the enthusiasm only a novice can bring and maintains it now as a seasoned professional. And girls - he's single, although he's always searching for what he calls, "my perfect soul mate." A romantic, his favorite movie is Pretty Woman. So ladies, if you like turkey sandwiches, chocolate cake, pretzels and Mountain Dew, and if you listen to 80's rock & roll with a little jazz thrown in, you may just be a candidate. You might also want to watch TV shows like "Tool Time," "Spin City," and "Frasier" and take long walks with him and his pet lab Duchess. Just don't ask him to live in a cold climate or make him cut grass. And you'd better not be obnoxious or you're out.

Don is a fun loving, easy going big kid at 35 who counts himself as an equal among equals in his camp. "I do whatever I can to help my teammates. Our crew works very hard and right now we're focusing on winning the championship again. I just don't like when they screw me in the car and instruct the monkey to drive straight." Perhaps Rodney Danger field isn't alone after all.

Mr. Lampus is a ways from earning deep-rooted respect but he definitely has a head start on the dues road.

The man, who describes himself as a cross between Louie Anderson (only he wants to lose 10 pounds) and Arnold Schwarzenegger (I'll be back), lives life to the fullest every day. And what does he want to do besides race? "Maybe sky dive."

A Capra-esque character in the mold of Gary Cooper, he has a big heart and a goofy laugh. His motto is "Be happy. Life is too short. You have to make it a great day everyday."

His greatest joy is having people around him enjoying what they do. And this comes from the man with tattooed "lips" on his derriere.

 

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Photos by Jeff Burk