The Karnac Fundraiser for the Jack Smith family!

[carolwicks]

Laps sold to date:

#1 Carreno
#2 Checkered Flag Racing (Styer)
#3 Barbie Brann
#4 Jim Fenton
#5 Shane Miller
#6 Shane Miller
#7 Checkered Flag Racing (Styer)
#9 Partelo Family
#12 Eric Rudd
#14 Carol Wicks
#19 Shane Miller
#26 Ocala Speedway
#31 Jim Higginbotham (in honor of John Smith)
#33 Rex Hollinger and Cara Wells (in memory of Homer Gordon)
#39 Shane Miller
#50 Bob Wing (wants #55 if it becomes available) (winger)
Several others have asked to get some laps next week... Please make checks out to Jack or Kathy Smith and mail them to:
Jack Smith Fundraiser
C/O Carol Wicks
732 Haleybury Street
Port Charlotte, Fl. 33948

Thank you for your generosity.
carol

[carolwicks]

A letter from Jack Smith

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Old Today, 11:32 AM
JackSmith JackSmith is offline
Veteran

Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: South Florida
Posts: 92
Default From Jack Smith
I want to take this opportunity to thank all the people who have responded with kindness, well wishes and prayers and contributions to our medical necessities.

To say the events in my life since February has been a life changing experience would be an understatement of some magnitude.

I have sent private communications to those who have made contributions to assist in our medical needs, and the extent to which these contributions have been helpful is beyond words to express.

But there is something that I need to say to each and every one one of you, and while it is something I find extremely difficult to express, it is at the same time something I must get off my chest.

In February 2010, after a year long adventure with back pain which forced me to eventually curtail almost all of my racing activities, I was told by the head of neuro-surgery at The University of South Florida/Moffitt Cancer Center that I had a large tumor in one of my lower vertebrae.

In February I underwent two major back surgeries at Moffitt to remove the tumor and to rebuild my back. I have been at home recovering for the last three weeks. I am doing good with the recovery.

Over the course of the last two to three years, I have found myself quite disgruntled with the whole racing deal and as many of you know, have moved away from much of the former activities I had previously been involved in.

The next thing I know I am in a major cancer center, not sure if I am going to even make it home alive, much less resume any semblance of my former life. My children and other family members and close friends came to my rescue, both emotionally and physically.

But something else happened which has changed my life forever.

You.

The outpouring of support from members of the racing community has completely overwhelmed me and not only made me confront some of my own wretchedness, but has given me a hope and joy in people I have not had ever in my life, at least not as an adult.

To read the letters sent to me, the comments posted on racing's message boards and the phone calls wishing me well, have made me realize what a truly lucky person I am.

I still have a fight on my hands physically, dealing with the possibility of a return of cancer, but I am in far better shape now. Knowing that I have you on my side has given me not only a bigger sword with which to fight, it has given me the courage to fight the fight.

In the hospital there was a point where I lost my courage and it took a combination of the brute force of my family and the love expressed on these message forum pages to rekindle the courage needed to survive the brutal nature of the surgeries.

For that I am forever in your debt. You have given me hope. You have given me love.

"And in the end
The love you take
Is equal to the love you make"
-Lennon/McCartney

[carolwicks]

To Everyone!!!!

To Everyone!
There are so many thank yous to be mentioned regarding the awesome show of love and support for Jack Smith!!!!
Critter! You are such a kind man... we could not have done any of this without your help. The people at Citrus County Speedway are the warmest friendliest people ever. Phil Schryver... thank you for doing so many little things people don't even know about. You have been so helpful. Thank you Tony Monaca too!!!! Tony and Cheryl Carreno!I will get back to you later in this post!
Linda Grimms....you are so kind and generous. The layout of food was soooooooo delicious! Ribs, chicken, pork, salads cookies...etc etc.... Thank you so much. The donations at Lindas dinner came to about $200!!!!!
Andy Sandall... thank you so much for making the trip so you can write about the evening! You are so much fun.
Robert Howell & Bob Culbertson... because of you we can have all the memories of the evening in photos and CD's! I understand all the proceeds are going to Jack and his family. What a lovely generous gift! Thank you both so much!
Bill Green.... your words about Jack and all he's done thru KARNAC were very inspiring. You made him look real good!!! hahaha Just kidding. I was moved by your feelings for your close friend!
Now heres a thank you i mean from the bottom of my heart!!!! When the chips are down and someone is in trouble there is a group of people I would always have on speed dial. These people give of their hearts and they give generously. They never say no... I have so much love and respect for this group...no matter how hard it is for them, if someones in trouble and we need people we can count on these people. They are ALWAYS ready... THE OPEN WHEEL MODIFIED drivers and their families!!!!! I love you all so much it hurts... ;-) I can never thank you enough for making all this become a reality .. TONY & CHERYL... your generosity and your love are hardly matched.You make it all seem so effortless but I know it isnt. Not to mention the fact that you guys give us some edge of the seat action every race! Thank you so much!
Now a little extra about Citrus County Speedway.....Friendly staff! Delicious food! Clean restrooms, Hard working crews that get the job done fast! a very organized program that was done before 11! I got home at 1:35! The track is interesting too! Very professionally run... My second trip just makes me want to go back!
To all the people who bought laps...THANK YOU! To all who sent generous donations! THANK YOU! To all the drivers who showed up and all the fans....To the track owners who collected... CCMP, OCALA, AUBURNDALE & CITRUS!!! God bless you all! Thank you and God bless each and every one...
The total of all collected was a little over $4,000.00 !!!!!
Please keep Jack in your prayers. He still has a long road ahead....
Carol Wicks aka OZ

P.S.

Was so happy to see old friends... Virginia and Jim Higginbothersome! (Higginbotham)... you made my night really special! Andy,got to meet straight up whos real name is Jeff, My darling Rex Hollinger who is gonna get a beating next time I see him... said i have a heart as big as my ...... roflll. if that were true i wouldnt be able to walk! The Checkered Flag Sprint drivers, Wild Child, Don Reem, My dear friends who i adore Mr. & Mrs. Barfield, Daniel Webster, Robbie Cooper, Keith Butler Gary& Mark Gimmler, David Slawiak and all the other CFS drivers.... David Slawiak showed up with his 2 dogs. One was a HUGE ferocious looking Pit Bull... is there any such thing as a pussy bull? roflllllll such a nice dog and he was with his partner in crime...a tiny mini pin! such a cute combo! The pits resembled a humongous family gathering of friends, children and lots of dogs! AWESOME! OH! one more thing...WAYNE... I LOVE U !!! nitey nite...

[Jane]

So sorry that Jack wasn't able to go but I know how much he appreciates all the kindness that has been shown to him. We all have our differences but when it really counts, we always seem to put them aside for the greater cause.

[USAMedia]

Wished I could have been there

My three daughters and some close family friends were able to attend the event and had a great time.

The response from the racing community to my medical condition has been a little overwhelming for me. I cannot really find adequate words to express my gratitude. Hopefully when I get this monkey off my back I can repay the generosity and kindness in some manner.

Currently I am St Petersburg undergoing therapies to combat the bone cancer, learning a tremendous amount about it all and hopefully on the road back to wellness.

From all my family and myself THANK YOU!

Jack