What’s In a Name?

A two part-feature, the first an illustrated resume  —  minus the illustrations  —  I created for John some eight years ago, and the second, a follow-up in 2014 . . . .

!ntroducing John Franczak:  To Each His Own Race

John lives a life punc!ua!ed with exclama!ion points!

His idea of setting track records is perhaps more humble than racing at 180 miles per hour, but his is a race to the swift, nonetheless.

John’s goal is to succeed at every turn, so to speak.

Born and raised in Michigan, John made Delray Beach, Florida his home thirteen years ago. He claims it was originally planned as  a simple visit.  Family members say he just didn’t bother to return home.

I, however, have the inside track on this one. Florida was merely the fulfillment of a lifelong dream swirling around Daytona Beach

And NASCAR

In 2004 – 2005 John was invited to work directly with Randy MacDonald and the MacDonald Motorsports team in the NASCAR Busch Series. His duty roster included car setup, pit crew work, meal preparation, support for driver families, and overall team cheerleader. His travels took him to the California Speedway, the Bristol Motor Speedway and of course, the Daytona International Speedway.

Today

At the urging of industry insiders including Randy MacDonald, Holly and Scott Mullins and Jeff Jurgensen, he is also satisfying an equally pressing desire to continue an association with NASCAR in some professional capacity.

So What’s in a Name?

In John Franczak’s case it happens to be a drive to do everything he does punctuated with —

Re!ationships

One can’t help but notice that some of the individuals John has offered as personal and references date as far back as thirty-eight years. Relationships are clearly not something he takes lightly.  I 1984, John’s first year as a licensed real estate broker, he generated in excess of $2.0 M in sales.  In the same year, he was also recognized by the Dale Carnegie Program as “Mr. Enthusiasm of the Year”. Fast forward to 2006 and not much has changed. John continues to combine the same zeal for success and zest for life  — through people. Today he proudly points out that these people also include MacDonald and other members of the NASCAR family.

Pass!on

Circa 1964 when most eight year-olds were playing with Tonkas and Matchstick race cards, John was building and driving them. everything from dirt track cars to go-carts and mini-bikes. By age fifteen, he’d graduated to motorcycles, muscle cars and luxury automobiles, adding rebuilding, restoration and original design to his skill set. 1989 through 1993 he owned and operated Aero F/X, installing aerodynamic enhancers long before dealerships and car manufacturers offered them. Monochromatic dynamic spoilers, aero wings and ground effects were as much a part of his vocabulary then as they later became to Ford, Chrysler and General Motors.

John has assisted a group of car collectors in acquiring Nextel Cup Road Course cards from many major teams. Several of the cars are now in museums. The teams include Hendrick Motorsports, DEI, RCR, Gibbs, and MB2. The cars are eventually going to be used at a private membership Motorsports Country Club being built out in the western U.S.  —  Bob Zinzell

Commi!ment

One of John’s first assignments with MacDonald Motorsports was to cultivate contacts and sponsorships. Armed with a calling list of fifty names, he came upon a grassroots outreach organization called P4OT or “Pray 4 Our Troops” dedicated to encouraging prayer and support for American military forces around the globe. His efforts resulted in the number P4OT ’72 Chevrolet to be driven by veteran driver Donnie Neuenberger, a cancer survivor. Even though the MacDonald Motorsports team eventually lost the race, the car’s distinctive logo was seen by millions of fans worldwide, and that in and of itself, can hardly be considered a loss.

Race team acknowledges troops’ sacrifice, Maj. William Thurmond, Army News Service

Dayton, Fla.  —  If you have ever watched a NASCAR race . . . you could not help but notice the impact modern corporate marketing has had on the nation’s fastest-growing spectator sport . . . But one of the cars did not glorify commerce . . . this product is not available in stores.  It simply asked for you to pray for Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Coast Guardsmen and Marines.The number 72 ‘Pray 4 Our Troops (P4OT) . . . .'”

Be!ief

John’s passion for people and all things good is rooted in the unwavering faith and practice of a Christian belief system.

Without skipping a beat or offending anyone, when asked “Are you into (INSERT NAME OF CHOICE)? John responds with a simple, “No, I’m into God”.

It took me a few years to figure out that not everyone wants to hear about God. In the excitement of discovering Jesus Christ, I’d witness pretty much 24/7 without any regard to when or where, for that matter. In refining my walk with the good Lord, I came to recognize that it does matter.  It’s ALL in the timing  —  His  — not mine. Not only do I want to walk with Him, I want to drive with Him!” John Franczak

John Franczak:  20!4

My good friend, Mr. Franczak is living his dream. I can’t but believe that the following images personify that belief in all it’s glory.

 

Congratulations, John! and Family

 

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