By Jack Smith
Short track racing lost a dear friend in the year 2002.
Pete Orr had been a tough competitor, a champion race car driver in every respect, a teacher, a mentor and to many in the racing community, simply a friend.
When Pete Orr died in November 2002 he left behind a short track racing legacy and ironically he continued to help other people long after he left us. The “Pete Orr Bill”, the Florida legislation instigated by State Senator Bill Posey (also a noted racer), has put away some scoundrels from the insurance business and helped to protect many people in the future. The bill deals with health care fraud. It was this very fraud that severely harmed the Orr family in the wake of Pete’s losing battle with cancer.
Bill Posey will be one the guests on the special Pete Orr Tribute night on the Real Racin’ USA show this week. Noted NASCAR driver David Green will also be a guest on the show, joining Travis Kittleson, B.J. McLeod, Mike Cope, Lee Faulk, David Russell, Don Nerone, Leroy Porter and others in paying tribute to Pete Orr.
Pete’s son Bobby Orr will be live with us at the Snook River Grill, hopefully to be joined by his good friend Rick Bristol. Bobby is very involved in stock car racing and is carrying on the family traditions as a crew chief, with ample skills learned from his legendary father.
Longtime Florida announcer Scott McAllister joins Rick Anges and Jack Smith as hosts for Real Racin’ USA. McAllister will be seen frequently in coming weeks as host of the Tuesday night “live” offering from Short Track America.
The show of course airs on the Internet and is broadcast live from the Snook River Grill.
The “Grill” presents the casual comfort of a small family restaurant and offers up a slice of Florida living to be enjoyed by anyone. Many race fans have begun to make it the place to be on Tuesday night for great food and conversation.
The special broadcast this weeks begins at 6:30 PM instead of the usual seven o’clock starting time. FASCAR Pro Truck driver Scott Reeves will be interviewed in the opening segment and other news items from around the short track world will be discussed during the early part of the show and then all attention will turn to Pete Orr and his racing career.
Tune to RealRacinUSA.com or shorttracknation.com at 6:30 (use any of the ‘On Air’ links) and join in by calling the studio line at 941-748-3490. The Short Track America message forum will be monitored during the show if you want to ask a question or get your comments on the air, in the event our phone line is tied up.
Or you can simply use this link to listen to the show:LISTEN NOW!
