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‘Fat ‘N Furious’ guys draw crowd to North Lima fundraiser
By Ed Runyan
NORTH LIMA
Tommy Christmas from Christmas Auto Repair on Market Street in Boardman and the rest of the guys from Discovery Channel’s “Fat N’ Furious” lent their newfound fame Sunday to a fundraiser for a Green Township woman battling cancer.
The four mechanics, whose six-episode series has been picked up for a second season, are known for their food wisecracks but also display their ability to turn old muscle cars into boss race cars.
But Debbie Grover and several other “Fat N’ Furious” fans who attended Sunday’s hot rod and car cruise at Mr. Darby’s antique shop on South Avenue said they also appreciate the positive publicity the men are giving Youngstown.
Grover, a North Lima native with late-stage cancer, said the fundraiser, which featured about 150 classic cars and arrival of the “Fat N’ Furious” guys on a firetruck, made for “one of the most exciting days of my life.”
Christmas, Chuck Kountz, Andy Pivarnik and Steve McGranahan — friends who met at Victory Christian Church in Coitsville, arrived on one of five Beaver Township trucks, then each gave Grover a rose, and the four men laid hands on Grover’s shoulders and prayed with her.
“They’re really nice guys. I knew they were from the show,” Grover said afterwards. “I’m happy to be alive today, and hope to be alive tomorrow. It’s one spectacular day.”
Grover said the car-themed event is appropriate for her because she’s always been really interested in cars and could identify model names even as a small child.
The 1969 North Lima High School graduate also enjoyed driving fast in her 1980 Chevy Malibu with the 350 engine, she said.
She also took interest in the show soon after it started airing, she said.
“I started taping it as soon as I heard they were from Youngstown. I’m a Christian, and they are Christians, so everybody can watch it,” she said of the show. “There’s no foul language.”
Like several people interviewed, Grover said she loved seeing glimpses of Youngstown, the Quaker City drag strip in Salem, Christmas’ shop and other Youngstown themes on the show.
“In the Rust B elt, in Ohio, where we’re from, we don’t got much,” Christmas says in the intro of the show. “But since we’ve been kids, we always had something to hold onto ... I’m talking about speed.”
Says Grover, “The show is good for Youngstown because they are a positive influence.” Grover said the fact that they would spend several hours talking with people and posing for pictures to attract a crowd shows where their hearts are.
A licenced practical nurse, Grover expects to quit working soon.
“This will help out, but I’ve gotten to the point where I’ll have to quit working,” she said.
Bob Neopolitan, owner of the antique shop, said the proceeds from the raffle of about 65 baskets full of donated items will provide most of the money for Grover. Hundreds of people attended, and thousands of dollars were raised, Neopolitan said. The adjacent Pizza Joe’s Restaurant also participated.
Kountz said this is the first time the men have been asked to make a benefit appeararance, but the request meant something to him because his father died of lung cancer.
“We’re happy to be here, and she’s a great lady,” he said.
Kountz said most of the filming for the show has been done at a shop in Fowler because doing brake jobs and oil changes at his Market Street shop is Christmas’ “bread and butter.”
To film there, they would have to close the shop, he said, adding that it’s not clear yet where the filming will begin for the new season.
Tim Gretsinger of Boardman said it’s nice that the guys from the show, including Christmas, whom he has known for more than a decade, are bringing positive attention to Youngstown. Gretsinger was at the show with his 1961 Ford Galaxie, which he has shown for about 20 years. “And he’s just a regular car guy like the rest of us,” Gretsinger said of Christmas.