Tribute To Those Gone In 2011

[carolwicks]

Thank you Bobby...

the racing family always stay a family... even when theres conflict. when the chips are down we take care of each other. Of those mentioned i only know Gene Bergen, Pellerito ( didnt know very well) and my dear friend Jack Smith. They will not be forgotten. Happy New Year to you and your family Bobby.

Gene Bergen was a sad man and at a total loss when he lost his dear wife Lucy. The reunion gave him back some dignity and allowed him to be with friends. people who loved him. I am so happy we were able to make some of his final days happier. Thanks Frassy.

Carol

[Jim Fenton]

Who was it that passed onn the morning of the 2010 Blast? I seem to remember that at Citrus.

That was Billy Hancock Bob.

You should have Billy and me on tape from my interview with him the year before at the 2009 Blast at Lake City Speedway.

Here he is in his #12 1960 Ford Starliner Late Model back in the day.

[villageracefan]

Thank you

Marty, thank you so much for such a great tribute. Florida has such a great wealth of racing history and we are so grateful to have you to keep up with it. I wish we could establish a short track hall of fame some where with you as administrator so all this history could be available to fans. We love you Marty

[Mark Tanner]

Legends that have passed

One individual who I had the pleasure of working with and could listen to for hours when we were at "the Gate" was Jack Miller who was the voice of Knoxville for years during the nationals. A man truly respected within the sprint car world.
RIP Jack

[fascar27]

Who was it that passed onn the morning of the 2010 Blast? I seem to remember that at Citrus.

I was there that day, forgot the name and he was about in the car and buckle up and goes his chest pain and put him out of the car and parmetic show-up and working on him and rush him to hospital, and later die.
DJ

[ancrdave]

Marty... J. D. Lewis did pass away in 2010... His #289 Fairlane was a screamer!

[Frasson118]

Here's one for Carol....

Carol metioned Gene Bergin, and the smiles he carried among his old racing friends and admirers. Here he is standing next to the Tobi Smith re-creation of the Bob Judkins 2x that he drove earlier in his career.

Not hard to tell he is one happy camper on this day...

[carolwicks]

Thank you Jerry. i remember

the first time i talked to Gene. he was bitter and he felt no one cared about him. that he was a forgotten racer. I asked him if he wasnt cared about then why did we invite him as a special guest... he warmed up and by the end of the night he was smiling and hugging and enjoying his friends. I feel as tho this reunion sent Gene Bergen off a much happier man and I will never forget him. The reunion gave so many people a glimpse into their past and people to share it with. It was a highlight in my racing media days. So special. ;-)

[ss29]

sad to say but also lost my friend scott seither in oct. this year at the age of 28. he ran qm at lil nss, legends ,and latemodels in florida before we went procup racing.also was on a reailty t.v show for crash-a-rama.in 2011 we went kart racing at hurricane speedway winning the last 2 races before he passed away in a auto accident on the turnpike

[Southern Outlaw]

My Best Friend in the world Benjie Mills (right) passed away earlier today from a heart attack...Benjie has been a friend of mine since 1982 when we came together in hot laps in turn 3 at North Valdosta Speedway. Mills raced at the Fairgounds and East Bay for several years in the yellow #98 along with helping Robert Smith, in the late '80s Mills's passion like mine was NON WING sprint car racing and moved to Indiana were he became best known for his wrenching ability. Took car of cars for Jon Stanbrough, Robbie Stanley, Steve Stapp, Kent Christian...Mills was always on top of his game. I will miss him so much as he is the one that really told me I could do and should do this promoting thing with the non wing lightning sprints...came through Thomasville last night on the way home from the Tulsa Shootout and was going to meet for coffee but at 11:30PM HE SAID, " it was a lil late being he had a field trail to go to at 5 am..call me and let me know you made it home safe". We talked yesterday and I told him that I wanted to do a tribute color scheme on the race car this year for Don Whettington car owner in Tampa that passed away in Sept......It will be the YELLOW #98 of Benjie Mills from Tallahassee Fl.....I love you Mills...I will miss our talks that we have everyday.....REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND....see-ya soon

[Rusty the 50/50 Guy]

Thank you Marty!!! What would we do with out you! Sad to read all of this but glad that someone takes the time to recognize the achievements of these folks!

Thanks again for all you do!