Travis Shumake spends part of his life racing at speeds of around 250 miles per hour.
The rest of it is rather more ordinary.
When he is not behind the wheel of a Funny Car, the openly gay drag racer returns home to New York, where life includes his fiancé, Daryl, and their dog.
That contrast is part of what makes Shumake’s new Queerty interview so memorable.
Shumake is the son of late NHRA racing legend Tripp Shumake. He grew up around the track, but stepped away from racing after his father died in a motorcycle accident in 1999.
Five years ago, he returned to the sport.
Today, he drives the same type of Funny Car his father raced. Standing 6’4”, Shumake has to drive with his knees tucked up under him.
He is also the first openly gay professional drag racer in NHRA competition, has been sponsored by Grindr and has faced protests from the Westboro Baptist Church.
But the racing is only one part of the story.
Shumake met Daryl at Palm Springs Pride nine years ago. Daryl was wearing a Tommy Hilfiger colour-block polo, cargo shorts and a puka-shell necklace (Queerty).
Shumake wondered if he had come from a theme party.
Then he decided that Daryl should be his forever.
They are now engaged and plan to marry next November.
“Which races do I need to go to?” Daryl asks, according to Shumake. The question is less about whether he supports Travis than which events they will enjoy together.
Between races, Shumake flies home to what he calls normal dog-walking life.
That is the detail worth holding onto.
Travis Shumake is a groundbreaking athlete in a conservative sport. He is also a man with a fiancé, a dog and a life waiting for him after the noise fades.
He races at 250 mph.
Then he comes home to ordinary love.
📷 @travieshu
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