May 26, 2008 - Track Worker Death Dismays

It was a moment of unforgettable tragedy, in the midst of two of the happiest hours of the year.

The 60th running of the Pay Less Little 500 came this past Saturday night, and I was in the equivalent of racing nirvana. I grew up just a few miles from Anderson Speedway, and the Little 500 was the first major short track race I was introduced to as a small kid. The race, with sprint cars lined up in 11 rows of three, going 500 laps, grabbed my imagination all those years ago and hasn’t yet let go.

When the race is running, I’m excited and happy. As a youngster I used to sit in these stands, and glance out toward the traffic rolling past on nearby Pendleton Avenue (now Dr. M.L. King Blvd.), and wonder how in the world anybody would want to be anywhere else but sitting there watching this race. I couldn’t imagine why anyone would allow themselves to miss such a wonderful race!

And so it was on Saturday night for me. I was watching the Little 500, and life was good.

But on lap 99 came an unforgettable moment of tragedy when a track worker—49-year-old Roy Hiatt—was struck by a car as he apparently came onto the track under caution to begin cleaning up an oil spill.

Medical personnel tended to him at the scene, and he was transported to a nearby hospital. We did not know the extent of his injuries until after the race, although everyone looking on somehow knew it was a grim situation.

Any time we are nearby when a life is lost, we’re left in a numbing state of grief and shock, not really knowing how to deal with it. Whether we know the person or not, the same sad, empty feeling is there. You hurt for the person’s family, their friends, their colleagues.

But it’s particularly difficult when it comes amid great excitement and happiness, such as at the race track. Everyone there is enthusiastic and emotionally connected to the action on the track, basking in the thrill of competition, anticipation, uncertainty, and drama. When there is loss of life, no matter what the circumstances, it’s like a giant wet blanket thrown over the scene, quickly chasing away the fun and games.

That’s what it felt like Saturday night. Yes, it was right to continue the race; life must go on. But it certainly did drain a great deal of the excitement from an otherwise dramatic and entertaining race.

Congratulations to Shane Cottle, and the entire Contos Racing crew, for their win at the Little 500.

Our condolences to the family and friends of Roy Hiatt.

May 19, 2008 - May Is Gettin' Busy

As this is written mid-day Monday, I’m staring at my calendar in disbelief. The next few days will be by far the busiest stretch I experience all year.

I’m wondering…who agreed that I’d do all this stuff? Well, I did, of course, so I have nobody to blame but myself. However, to be completely honest, I don’t have anything to complain about. I’m in the same position as lots of racers, officials, fans, sponsors, manufacturers, etc., here in Indiana over the next few days; we’re all over-exposed to the sport we love.

Here is my schedule for this week:

Wednesday afternoon: Anderson Speedway, watching practice for the 60th Pay Less Little 500.

Wednesday night: Work in the broadcast booth for the 100-lap USAC sprint car race at Anderson, to be shown at www.MustSeeRacing.com.

Thursday afternoon: Back in the broadcast booth at Anderson from 1:30 to 3:30 for MustSeeRacing.com, covering Little 500 time trials.

Thursday night: Grab a ride from Anderson to the Terre Haute Action Track with USAC’s Dick Jordon for the prestigious Tony Hulman Classic, featuring the USAC national sprint car series.

Friday afternoon: Second-round qualifying at Anderson from 1:30 to 3:30.

Friday night: Hustle to the Indiana State Fairgrounds for the USAC Silver Crown Hoosier Hundred.

Saturday morning: Attend the National Association of Auto Racing Fan Clubs breakfast in Indianapolis.

Saturday noon: Back to Anderson Speedway, where I’ll emcee the Little 500 Hall of Fame Induction Luncheon. This year’s class includes car owners Clarence Miller, Carl Reynolds, and Walt Straber; longtime track announcer Denny Adams; well-known newspaper writer Ken de la Bastide; and 8-time Little 500 winner Eric Gordon.

Saturday night: In the broadcast booth at Anderson alongside Tom Bigelow and Jason McCord, covering the Little 500 for MustSeeRacing.com and statewide Comcast cable.

Sunday morning: An early-morning drive to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where I’ll work as a pit reporter for the IMS Radio Network.

Whew!

I might be tempted to beg for sympathy, but the fact is, my situation is not unique. Everybody I know is completely swamped with stuff going on this week.

Of course we love it, or we wouldn’t do it. I’m already contemplating taking next week off to rest up, but I know that isn’t going to happen. I’ve got lots of work to do on my book project with Speedy Bill Smith, and I need to stay at it in order to keep the project moving. So I’ll just smile through the fatigue, and be grateful that 1) I live in an area with so much racing activity; and 2) I’m fortunate that I’m making my living doing something I love.

Hope to see you this week at the races!

May 12, 2008 - Welcome Back To The Rock

The Rock is back.

Rockingham Speedway hosted the ARCA series this weekend under the leadership of new owner Andy Hillenburg, after lying dormant for four years. The event looked like a nice success for everyone, and I’m really happy about that.

Andy is a friend from the way-back days when he was an aspiring open-wheel racer here in Indiana, doing everything he could to reach his personal goal of racing in the Indianapolis 500. He had a detour, but he did indeed make the 500—albeit a bit later than he had planned—in 2000. Andy has spent the past 18 years living in North Carolina, building several successful business ventures that include the FastTrack Driving School.

I thought it was wonderful that Andy and his crew resurrected Rockingham from the dead. It’s a great, traditional track in American motorsports, and although it could be argued that Sprint Cup has indeed outgrown the facility, that’s no reason to shutter the place.

This weekend’s race is a good example of making the best out of change you don’t happen to like. Like many, I don’t enjoy most of the changes that have swept through Cup racing over the past decade. Losing tracks such as Rockingham, and losing traditional events such as the Southern 500 on Labor Day, are unsettling and make me question where the sport is headed.

However, since we can’t control such things, the best strategy is to make the best of it. Andy and the guys at Rockingham, along with the people at Darlington who are organizing a very interesting “reunion” this Labor Day to celebrate their heritage, are making the best out of the situation.

I hope Rockingham can build on its opener, and figure out other events which would work for them. It’s another reminder that you don’t have to host a Cup event to be successful as a racing venue in America. Success comes in a lot of different sizes, shapes and colors.

It’s pretty neat when somebody can take something negative and make it a positive. And having the Rock back on the racing landscape is a positive thing, indeed.