It's been a bad week for Florida racing...

[Old Sunshine Fan]

JM

Larry will certainly be missed by everyone that came in contact with him. I can remember all the years at Sunshine - his voice carried around the track, through the pits, down the drag strip and into the swamps. I think even the horses were comfortable with hearing hm on the weekends.

I remember when he moved onto Citrus and have listened to him numerous times there. A class act would always be in store when Larry was behind the mike.

When you mention those names that have gone on to a better place (Although I didn't realize Dan Daughtry was among them), it brings to mind something I have been thinking about lately with all the losses the racing community has experienced.

There should be an effort to formulate a "Memorial" of sorts listing those that have passed on that were involved within the "FLORIDA" Racing Community, ie, Racers, Owners, Announcers, Track Personnel, etc.

It could be alphabetically, with Name in left column and facts to the right (so people could scan down). Hart, Hicks, Nancy Gray, Ronnie Cuda, Mr/Mrs Crouse - and the list could just go on and on. Not sure if people would enjoy contributing to this endevor or not, but it sure has been bouncing around in my head the past several weeks - some really fine folks that enjoyed the sport while here on earth with the rest of us.

[Jim Fenton]

JM


When you mention those names that have gone on to a better place (Although I didn't realize Dan Daughtry was among them)

Yeah, Dan’s been gone since 1998. He was fatally injured in an auto accident in Punta Gorda.

JM


When you mention those names that have gone on to a better place (Although I didn't realize Dan Daughtry was among them), it brings to mind something I have been thinking about lately with all the losses the racing community has experienced.

There should be an effort to formulate a "Memorial" of sorts listing those that have passed on that were involved within the "FLORIDA" Racing Community, ie, Racers, Owners, Announcers, Track Personnel, etc.

It could be alphabetically, with Name in left column and facts to the right (so people could scan down). Hart, Hicks, Nancy Gray, Ronnie Cuda, Mr/Mrs Crouse - and the list could just go on and on. Not sure if people would enjoy contributing to this endevor or not, but it sure has been bouncing around in my head the past several weeks - some really fine folks that enjoyed the sport while here on earth with the rest of us.

I think that’s an AWESOME IDEA Bob!

A special section for Florida racing personalities only (Track Owners, Promoters, Mechanics, Drivers, etc) with a short bio as you describe would be something very special.

I know that Marty contributes to Legends of NASCAR and there’s other sites you can go to for the more famous racing personalities out there that we have lost but nothing to my knowledge that is strictly Florida Short-Track oriented and that also picks up all other contributors to the sport that works in the trenches as you mentioned.

It should also be located at a Florida Racing website such as here at Karnac.

AWESOME idea there man!

[Jane]

That is a good idea OSF but we would need alot of help in doing it. People would have to be willing to help and send in information for it. I have only been in Florida since 89 and did not even start going to racetracks until 91 and did not start working with Jack until the year after he started karnac. But I know in that period the lady who took photos at Orlando passed away, Homer Gordon, Pete Orr, the man who drove the No. 71 modified, Bruce Everett, a racer named Ron who drove only with his hands, Ms. Peggy, the beloved scorer at Orlando and New Smyrna, a super stock driver that I can't recall his name at the moment, and my mind will come back and I will remember more. But it would take foot work by everyone.

If people are willing to help, I will see what I can do but like I said, it would take everyone helping on this one.

And Jim - any funeral who has taps played, I break down. My grandfather was the first one I went to that was a military funeral and I lost it. I was 18 then and it was the hardest thing I have ever had to go thru. So beautiful and so final all in one.

[Rick Anges]

I think a good place for this would be Dave Westerman's site FLORIDA RACING HISTORY

[Todd McCreary]

add another name to the list.

i've just heard that Don Hatcher is in the hospital. don't know why or how serious, just what i got through the vine...