Another racing season is in the books, and it’s starting to look a lot like Christmas.
Usually, this is the time of year that Dave Argabright winds up to a crescendo and makes grown men cry like little kids…not that there’s anything wrong with that, mind you. We’re all sensitive New Age guys that just happen to love racing, right?
Well, I’ve been known to jerk a tear from time to time, and it suits me in some strange way to write a little differently than usual, so here goes.
Two boys and their parents visited Pocono Raceway as part of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and their request was to have some time with Tony Stewart.
Smoke agreed, and reported to the Driver and Crew Lounge that the Mattioli family keeps well-stocked for such occasions. It was pouring rain and the golf cart was kicking up a wake that rivaled the Titanic on the short drive from the driver’s motorhome lot.
Weather aside, Stewart grabbed the gift bags he had made up ahead of time and walked into the room, smiling and giving the two boys the old Smoke needle, just like it was a regular day and nobody in the room had a care in the world.
Make-A-Wish kids have plenty of cares, the biggest of which is battling crippling and sometimes mortal diseases and afflictions. Their parents are confronted every day with the thought that their little ones might never grow up, never know the joy that they themselves felt a few short years before.
Stewart knows it too, but you could hardly tell. Five minutes later, he’s sitting on a sofa between two wheelchairs, opening up stuff from the bag and talking a mile a minute, laughing and joking. The parents are involved too, asking questions, getting items signed and simply enjoying the visit.
Eventually, the time came to take his leave, and Stewart exited just the way he entered: smiling, joking, needling a little. The families were chattering about the visit, the boys were waving at their new friend and Rose Mattioli, one of the finest people I’ve met in more than 25 years in the sport, was trying gracefully not to cry.
Sensitive New Age guy that I am, I was trying not to cry, too…not that there’s anything wrong with that.
On the way back to the coach, in a driving rain storm, Stewart was silent. He just shook his head and said, “That takes a lot out of you.”
Yet he still does it, several times a year in different areas. So do many racing drivers, all over the country, every night of the season and twice on Sundays.
At this time of year, thoughts turn toward loved ones, blessings and hope for a bright future. Racing drivers, whether they’re two-time NASCAR champions or the local street stock king at Speedway XYZ, are often put in the position of being the ones to bring that hope and blessing to others.
Stewart’s trip at Pocono was one such moment. For a while, those two boys were able to think about something other than the next test, mortality and fear of the unknown. They were happy in the presence of a hero, and the parents were happy that their sons were happy.
It goes without saying that not everyone is cut out for that type of visit. It takes its toll, in more than one way, but one gives in order to receive, right?
On this holiest of holidays, at this special time of the year, take a moment to remember that there’s more to it than the hot new iPod or the latest Xbox game or a neat new whatever-it-is that makes the race car go faster. There’s making people happy and giving them a bit of hope for a bright new future.
Sometimes the greatest gift of all is simply to sit, spend some time and spread some cheer to someone who might need it. Whatever it is, giving the gift of caring is always in style.
You can even shed a tear or two if you want, and there’s nothing wrong with that whatsoever. Have a very Merry Christmas, one and all.