It is so absolutely tragic. Jimmie was scheduled to run the Chicago street race this Sunday, but obviously his team withdrew the entry. My heart absolutely aches for him and his family.
For people that are real fans of the sport, you sort of feel like you know the drivers with all the access we have to them. They all bring their families to the track and you can watch their kids grow up over the years so they sort of feel like you sort of "know" them if that makes sense. Like when my mom and I go to Sonoma Raceway for Cup, we like to stand by the entrance to the garage area and people watch. She is always amazed at how I recognize so many people that aren't drivers.
@slo town I remember when you went to the Clash and had your few minutes with Michael Waltrip. I have always really thought highly of him, and this year at Sonoma just reinforced that. Mikey went down the line signing some autographs on Saturday and then had to rush to go to a broadcast. He ran past us, stopped and put his arm around my mom like she was a long lost friend and asked how she was doing and if she was enjoying her NASCAR experience. He let me take a picture of her with him and it absolutely made her day.