In 2009 TJ and fellow racers traveled to Port Angeles Speedway, an asphalt track in the town of  Port Angeles Washington. TJ being new to the customs at Port Angeles Speedway found that before the nights racing event, all drivers and their cars line up on the front stretch for a meet and greet between drivers and fans. This is something not done at Skagit Speedway.  The fans have to wait until after races. While sitting there meeting fans and signing autographs he was informed by his mechanic that a young boy and his mom were approaching the front of his car. TJ turned, ready to acknowledge the young boy.

Anticipating the young boy was going to want an autograph, TJ started to kneel down by his race car. The boy was standing there with his mom behind him she asked "Do you know what car this is?" The boy lifted his head, with a huge ear to ear grin and exclaimed "GHOSTBUSTERS!!" It was then that TJ had noticed this young man had down syndrome.  Having a disabled son himself TJ could understand this young mans out burst of excitement. TJ proceeded to autograph a drivers card, sticker and gave him the only fan t-shirt he had brought with him.  After the boy and his mom walked away and continued on to other cars several drivers and fans walked up to TJ and patted him on the back or shook his hand and said that’s what a real race car driver is about. The moment didn’t stop there because later on while preparing for the nights race, TJ happened to look out at the stands and sitting in the first row across from his pit stall, sat the young boy and his mom. The young boy was waving a checker flag at him and waving so TJ waved back holding back tears he saw the young boy was wearing the shirt he had received earlier from him.

On his way back home from PA (Port Angeles Speedway) TJ knew in his heart he wanted to keep racing and at that very moment was when Rook Racing was born.

Even now years later when TJ is asked “Why do you race?” He just smiles as he thinks back and remembers that moment in PA and it puts everything in perspective as he is doing it all....for the fans....and especially the young kids who aspire to dream big.