June 13, 2008 - An Urn At The Turn

One thing that we can't get away from is death. Well, there's taxes, high gas prices and dull NASCAR Cup races, too. But "the end" really is the end.
As I get older I get to go to more and more funerals. The worst ones are for people younger than I am. Years ago, I decided what would be my final resting place.
An old friend, Bob Eckert, recently passed away. He was the father of open-wheel fanatic Kevin Eckert. Bob's wish was to have some of his ashes spread over what used to be the Reading, Pa., Fairgrounds. This was where Bob got his racing "fix."
Years ago, I decided that's what I would do. I only told two people about this. I never told my,mother and brother as they wouldn't been happy about it.
Picking a place was tough. The track that got me started in racing was Freeport Stadium. I went to over 550 race meets there, This was certainly the place of my racing roots. The problem is, it was torn down and now the home of a BJ's Wholesale club. I don't want them selling my ashes at discount!
My next choice would have been Islip Speedway, another plant that I had a long relationship with. It was torn down and became a cookie factory. As much as I enjoy a chocolate chip cookie with my coffee, I don't want to become one!
Then there's Nazareth. I made over 300 trips to the Pennsylvania speedway. I worked there the last 17 years it ran. Admittedly, Nazareth was a dump. I'd hate to end up there. The last I heard the supermarket that replaced it went out of business. It's kind of disheartening to realize that three
tracks where I saw a total of over 1,000 shows are all gone.
So Williams Grove Speedway became my choice. I always enjoy going there but I haven't seen a race there in nearly 4 years. My close friend of 39 years, John Roth, has agreed to dispatch my remains there. Hey, I'm a big guy, maybe I'll give them a cushion!
The Grove has hosted races for almost 70 years and seems like it will still be around for a long time.
Is this crazy? No, I don't think so. Being passionate your whole life about something is certainly important, and I figure this is one way to stay close to the sport that has been a part of my life since I was seven years old.
So, I've shared my secret, which I hope won't be enacted for awhile. I have survived a serious car accident in 1991 and cancer four years ago. Some people worry about their eventual demise. I don't, but I know it's down the road.