You’ve probably seen the work of new TAN advertiser Maura McGonigle at the track before. Maybe you’ve even worn it before. Maura owns and operates Maura’s Embroidery Unlimited, a full-service custom embroidery service. The Bingham, Mass., resident got started in the stitching scene over 10 years ago as a hobby to supplement her quilting work. Now she produces crew apparel and more for some very successful, high-profile organizations in drag racing.
“I do a wide variety of custom embroidery work, anything from a simple monogram to turning a photo of your racecar into stitches. I don’t charge any design fees or set-up fees, like many other embroiderers. You can provide your own products or we can order them through our sources. My equipment can embroider just about anything. Our motto is, ‘If a stitch can go through it, we can do it’,” says McGonigle.
Maura’s work can be seen at races all over the country, worn by some of the biggest names in the sport.
“I’ve done work for many racers at my home track, New England Dragway, as well as all of the embroidery for the track store,” Maura says. “I also do the North East Division team and champion jackets at the end of the year. I’ve had the pleasure of doing work for Frank Manzo, ‘Fast’ Jack Beckman, Terry McMillen, Top Fuel team owner Mark Pickens, and Alexis DeJoria and her dad, JP.”
Quality work, one-on-one customer service, and the following premise have made the business a success.
“I’ve always tried to offer my services at a lower rate than the typical full-fledged embroidery house. My costs for any work have always been based on keeping the price down to keep the customer happy. By that I mean I would rather charge less and give more people the ability to afford the work than to charge more and only have a few customers able to pay. The payback for me is seeing them wear their Maura’s Embroidery Unlimited-produced team apparel with pride.”
When she’s not busy running her embroidery business, McGonigle works as the team chef and hospitality coordinator for Jay Blake’s Follow A Dream Top Alcohol Funny Car team. That role includes preparing meals for the team and its guests, socializing with fans and sponsors, and keeping everything clean. As expected, she does all of the team’s embroidery work.
It was her involvement with the Blake family that lured Maura into racing 30 years ago. She married Jay’s brother, Jimmy, who was racing in Super Comp. Eventually she started doing custom tool box covers, trailer curtains, and apparel for Jay and his Follow A Dream team. She began traveling with the team three years ago. The experience has been very positive for Maura.
“Follow A Dream is a great group to be involved with. Jay is such an inspiration to everyone he meets. His attitude and outlook on life in general, that anything can be accomplished with the power of positive thinking, self-determination, and teamwork, is something that we can all live by. I’m proud and honored to be a part of this team.”
McGonigle also works closely with another great organization, Hot Rods for Heroes, a group that brings veterans, current service members, and Gold Star family members to the races at no cost to them. Money is raised through the sale of decals, patches, and apparel, as well as generous donations from those who wish to help the cause.
“We bring our guests into the races, get them under the ropes to meet the drivers, allow them to hang out in the hospitality areas, and show them a good time for the day. Ron Greenwood had the idea to start an organization with these goals. He was drawn to Jay because of the team’s ‘Free to Dream Thanks to our Troops’ signage. That’s how I met Ron. Over time, we became friends and worked together to gain the support of sponsors, tracks, and teams, and made Hot Rods for Heroes a reality. It has been a great year, bringing veterans, service members, and their families to the races. I have met some wonderful people and made strong friendships,” says the mother of two former Jr. Dragster drivers.
Maura’s involvement in racing doesn’t end there. On off-weekends from the Follow A Dream schedule, she’s usually at a points race somewhere in the northeast.
“Our daughter, Patty, races in the Street class and our son, Jamie, races in Super Comp,” McGonigle says. “In addition to racing with family and the Follow A Dream team, I am also a part of Eddie Parker’s Cape Codder Pro Comp team. It’s safe to say that on any given weekend I am usually at a track somewhere and loving it!”
2012 TAN Original Content
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