On the Move: Reimagining the Iconic DI Sprinter After 8 Years

In early December, an unexpected message arrived from fellow drag racer Chris Croom, rekindling memories of my past adventures. He shared a photo of my old DI Dodge Sprinter van, which I hadn’t seen in eight long years.

This reliable companion faded from view as it left my driveway, transitioning into a food vending van in North Carolina. Croom, on a work assignment near the Outer Banks, discovered the weather-worn vehicle, igniting a mix of nostalgia and inquiries about its journey since I let it go.

Acquiring that Sprinter was a fond memory itself. I won the vehicle at an eBay auction 16 years ago, listed by a dealership in northeastern New York.

Determined to have it, I placed a successful bid and soon found myself flying to Albany. After completing the paperwork, I drove off with my new adventure.

The Sprinter, once a plain refrigerator-white, became a canvas for artist Eddie Hollon, who helped design a striking exterior that made its debut at the Shriners Drag Racing and Hot Rod Expo in 2009. Numerous adventures unfolded from my local dragstrip, Farmington Dragway.

Its first significant journey involved an ADRL race in Baytown, Texas. I traveled extensively through the Midwest and developed a tradition of winter migrations to the South, often taking scenic routes home along Florida’s A1A highway.

I even drove on Daytona’s beach, reassured by a friendly groundskeeper that I wouldn’t get stuck—thankfully, he was right. Those memories include parking by the ocean, being woken up by law enforcement at dawn, and making runs to New Jersey for major drag racing events.

After countless miles, the Sprinter’s odometer reached over 439,000 miles, and I began to experience reliability issues. With a heavy heart, I decided to sell it, hoping the new owner would breathe new life into it as a food vendor.

Over time, I often wondered about its fate and whether it fulfilled its purpose beyond my racing adventures. Now, learning about its weathered condition feels like rediscovering a classic car from my youth—wise and aged, yet packed with memories.

The journey with the original DI Sprinter marked eight thrilling years filled with memorable experiences in drag racing. Each mile traveled and race competed created lasting impressions that I cherish.

Time may have weathered both the van and me, yet the stories we built together remain an essential part of my racing journey. The past reflects the joy of adventures shared, and although those days are behind me, the memories will forever echo in my heart.

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John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.