First of all, my thoughts are with anyone who may have contracted the coronavirus and their families!
First of all, my thoughts are with anyone who may have contracted the coronavirus and their families! I am also concerned about how we are all going to come out of this thing when it is finally over.
From the people who have lost their jobs, to race tracks and promoters, parts vendors, drivers who make their living from racing, the list goes on and on of people who will – without a doubt – have their lives turned upside down.
I didn‘t want to write an overly-negative column; there is enough negativity and uncertainty all around us already.
Instead, I decided to write about the great people in racing and how so many of them are willing to pull together in times of need.
When my accident happened so many people around the country — and it was long before social media — helped with fundraisers and sent cards and letters of encouragement.
Unfortunately, there will be tough times ahead for many people, financially and emotionally, and I hope they know that we will be thinking of them and their families. I‘m sure that those who can, will be willing to lend a helping hand to those in need.
During this time of no racing, people have been posting old photos and racing videos on social media. Streaming services like Dirtvision.com (which have a tremendous library of past sprint car and late model races) along with others, have had watch parties where they show several races back-to-back.
Seeing the photos and watching the videos is what reminded me of all those people who I‘ve met over these past, let‘s just say, many years.
It made me think back about the car owners who have come and gone and all the crew members and drivers that are no longer in the sport. I wonder whatever happened to so many of them.
There were plenty of characters who were always the life of the party. If you heard someone had pulled off some crazy prank or got into some trouble for something, you could almost bet who the rascals were behind it.
I have to smile when I think back about what some of those guys got away with. Makes me wonder what happened to many of them and what they are up to today.
I know there are people out on the road as part of a travelling series who enjoy themselves and cut loose when they get some free time, especially the young guys. But it‘s a different world than when I was on the tour. Cell phone cameras and social media didn‘t exist during my time on the road, and that, ladies and gentlemen, is a good thing!
After my career-ending injury, one of the hardest things I had to deal with was knowing that the teams were out on the road and I wasn‘t able to be with them. I would also think about all the places they were visiting and it was a reminder of all the people they were still getting to see and hang out with.
I‘ve heard other drivers who have been injured, retired, or have just chosen to get off the road with the traveling band of gypsies known as the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series who have said that not seeing the friends and fans they‘d gotten to know over the years was hard for them as well.
With the Outlaw schedule pretty much being the same year after year (this year is an exception, of course), drivers know when they get to a certain area of the country at a certain time of year they are almost always going to meet up with that huge fan, or friend(s).
In some cases, a few of those fans have ended up becoming very good friends with drivers and the crews. If the teams are in their town long enough, they might get together for a cookout or go to their house or place of business and work in their shop if they happen to have one.
It sure beats working on a hot, blacktop motel parking lot all day. Or, worse yet, trying to find cover to work under if it‘s raining! Having a cookout or home-cooked meal is a major bonus as well.
So, in this unfortunate time, when so many races have been cancelled or postponed all over the country, it‘s not just the drivers, teams, promoters, and vendors who are affected. Those fans and friends from all the nooks and crannies around the country, who wait from year to year to see their heroes and friends, will possibly have to wait another year to get together.
Obviously the health and well-being of everyone is the most important issue right now, and with many of us in self-isolation with our immediate families, I want to say to our racing family, best wishes to all of you, and especially to any of you who may have contracted the virus!
Hopefully, by the time you read this things will have started to get better, or at least have peaked, and we can get back to racing and once again be with our racing families.
In the meantime, stay safe and healthy everyone!