PLEASE read this. It is urgent...

[carolwicks]

I just got permission from Jack to post this. I would have done it last week but he was adament that I didnt. Just now he gave me the OK.

Jack has been in excruciating pain for a few months. After many many tests they found a tumor growing in one of his discs. It pushed thru and destroyed the disc. Last Thursday they took him into surgery and removed 95% of the tumor. The tumor has been sent to several cancer and other diagnostic centers in the country because no one has ever seen anything like what Jack has going on in his spine.

Since the surgery Jack has developed pneumonia and his digestive system is severely blocked. He is in so much pain and he is very frightened. His wife and 2 daughters are by his side 24-7 and I have been caring for their son JJ who has downs syndrome. Nothing has been easy for the Smith family.
This Thursday Jack is scheduled for another serious surgery to remove the rest of the tumor and I know they have to replace the disc but I forgot when they will do that.
Jack is a very private person but he is really frightened about his medical condition because no one really knows whats going on. He asks that we pray very hard for his recovery and that he will not have so much pain. So please KARNACIANS pray as hard as you can for Jack. I truly believe that our prayers have helped alot of people in the racing community and we will also help Jack thru our faith in the Lord.
We dont have any idea whats going on from day to day so if you have any cards you would like to send, please address them to me and I will make sure he gets them. PLEASE do not call. They family has begged us not to call because Jack is extremely weak and he is on medication . I will let you know when it is ok. I promise. If you wish to send emails to Jack you can send them to my address and I will print them and give them to him to read when he is able. I promise that too. My email address is carolwicks@comcast.net and my address is:
Carol Wicks
732 Haleybury Street
Port Charlotte, Fl. 33948

If there is anything I can do please call or email: 941-629-7451

Thank you... I will keep you informed. Please remember Jack in your most fervent prayers.
Carol Wicks aka OZ

[gene davis]

Jack. Please rest and take it easy. God will take care of you and your family. Please have anyone call me if I can help in anyway. You are in our prayers.

[flvideo]

Thanks Carol

I talked to him last week before his surgery and Friday after his surgery. I have added him to our orayer list at church. He told me Friday that he discovered levels of pain he didn't existed. Guys Jack has done more for the racing community in the state of Florida than you can imagine. let us get behind him 200% he has been behind you 200% I'll guarantee you. Our prayers are focused on you Jack. Carol, call me when any thing changes so I can pray more specifically. Thanks Bob....

[carolwicks]

I promise...

Everything I hear from the family will be posted provided it is ok with them. The main thing is we all pull together and keep Jack in our thoughts and prayers.
You are so right in saying that Jack has done more for Florida short track racing than any other human being. Hes made mistakes along the way but every one of us have. The time, traveling, writing, radio shows, message boards sponsoring, and many other things are all a result of this man who stays awake until 4-5 A.M. every night working for racing. This past yr. he has slowed down but I think alot of this is a result of his pain.
My phones have been working overtime. There are so many people who care and this makes me happy. Thank you...
Carol aka OZ

[1wildfastgirl24]

This is such terrible news ..............Our thoughts and prayers are with Jack and his family to get through this terrible time he is having and to get well soon.

[Rick Anges]

Please send all the healing vibes you can. Jack needs us now...

[The Ocala Speedway]

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Hang in there!

[oldyeller]

I regularly hit dozens of web sites, but only one do I never fail to visit daily: This one. Despite all the griping on here, I would hate to think how many races I would have missed (or drives to tracks I wouold have made that were rained out!), how much good gossip I would have never heard, how much outright entertainment I've received. You say nothing good is free? KARNAC is, and I know enough about this business to know Jack, Jane, Rick, Dave, Carol and everyone else involved will never get rich -- and that's not why they do it anyway. It's greedy on my part to say how much I would miss KARNAC if it was gone, but that pales compared to what Jack is going through, and Jane, too. Damn good time to pray.

[ocalasp76]

Hang in there Jack. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
You are a long way from that final checkered flag, so just rest and get well soon.
-JIM-

[Winger]

My thoughts and well wishes are with Jack and his family. I've known Jack personally for only a short time. He has always been friendly and helpful to me and I consider him a friend. Get well soon Jack.

[Rick Williamson]

I will be praying for him, his family and that they know the Lord.

[JackTripper]

My thoughts and prayers go to Jack and his family. It certainly is scary not knowing what lies around the bend, just be strong and do the best you can to prepare yourself for each new battle you and your doctors face.

Be strong warrior and you shall overcome this too.

[carolwicks]

Jacks friends...

we have all known Jack as a straight to the point, tougher than nails kind of guy. No time for BS and one hard working son of a gun that lets nothing get in the way. For years and years Jack has driven every highway in the state and some out of state to promote a track or a special event. He has interviewed just about every racing person, whether it be a top gun late model pro or a fab 4 kid. from Nascar stars to go karters...
well right now Jack is a weak, very ill man in severe pain. He feels like he is at deaths door (he isnt) . Thank God he is at the Moffitt Cancer Center and getting the best of care. He is fighting all of it because he can barely stand the pain. Right now they are trying to clean out his intestines and that involves even more tubes and more pain. He has been for xrays today and is worried. Please pray the tumor is benign! That is the one thing that will give Jack some hope.
This is the part I hate ... but I feel I have to do this.
I am begging every race track to try to collect some cash for Jack and his wife. Right now they have no income and the bills are piling up fast. Jack and Kathy would never ask for anything but you and I know ya cant live on love, so I am asking on behalf of them. .
Jack builds websites and he cant do that right now. He cant do anything. Please help in any way you can. If you can help please make checks out to Jack or Kathy Smith and mail them to me. Kathy lives nearby and I will make sure she gets them. My check for $100 is already in the mail. I cant tell you how helpful it has been getting media passes so I can go to the special races at tracks all over Florida. Jack made that happen.
Jack made it possible for all of us to become friends...and enemies lol.. he made us a home thru KARNAC and we have become family . Especially when times are tough. So now I want more than anything to help us all pull together and give something back. To feed his family, keep the lights on, the water flowing, and whatever Jack and Kathy need to survive.
Please let me know how you feel about this and give me some ideas. I have contacted a couple of people who I know have had successful fundraisers and begged for their help. Now I am asking you. Please put your personal feelings for me aside and help me help Jack.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart......
Carol Wicks c/o JACK SMITH
732 Haleybury Street
Port Charlotte, Fl. 33948
Every dollar helps and every card will bring a smile...
Jane.... I am not in any way overwhelmed. Jack is my friend and whatever it takes to help pull him thru I am doing. God is helping! Thanks so much for caring. You and Jack are probably the "first family" in racing... ;-)
carolwicks aka OZ

[Cara]

My thoughts and prayers go out to Jack and his family during this difficult time. Praying for the nurses, surgeons and doctors at the hospital he is at also that they may be guided in giving him the best of care. I don't know Jack except through the board and would like to meet him and his family.

[Boneman]

If this isn't a reality check, then what is? I know that Jack Smith has opened doors for me in the racing life that I love, and provided me a great deal of entertainment. I also know he has enabled and created opportunities for so many in our little world. He needs our help now, and I am sure he will get it.