adam2kgt
08-31-2009, 11:33 PM
A true friend has crossed the finish line for the last time. I am typing this as I drive back to Conway from KY after seeing a long time friend, confidant, and second father being laid to rest. A little background is in order. In 1992 my father was in serious financial trouble due to his employer cheating on taxes. A high school friend of his heard of this, and approached my father to come work for him. After 2 years of my dad working for him, he offered my mother a job at a motel he had purchased. He oput a roof over our heads, food in our bellies, and money in our pockets. His son, being the same age as I, became a friend. We grew up together, though not as close as I would have liked. Harold, the father and boss, took me a few times to the local dirt oval track that he raced at. This is what introduced me to motorsports. After 2 years there, a highway expansion forced the motel to close, so he helped us find another home. We moved several times, which caused me to lose touch with Brandon, the son. My dad continued to work for Harold. Then, in 1996, Harold got black flagged for something, so he, being the hot head he was, climbed the fence under the flag stand, grabbed the owner by his shirt collar, shook him violently, and yelled "I'll own this place one day!" So by the next summer, he did! He opened it back up in 98. The next year, I started high school and moved back closer to that end of the county. Guess who was in my class? Brandon! He told me about the track, and asked if I would want to help out. So, that summer, I worked for Harold. After that first year, Brandon talked his dad into letting him race. He started out in an open wheel modified, the 2nd highest class there. Brandon didn't have many friends who were mechanically inclined, so he asked me to help him out with the car. We sucked that year! But, even with old worn out equipment, we did WAY better than 15 year olds should. The next year, Brandon saved some money, and his dad helped him get a 2 year old Rayburn late model chassis. That same year, Harold offered me a deal. Work for him, making 50 bucks a week, and help Brandon with the car, and he would give me my first car! That year, 2 16 year old kids won 2 heat races, and finished 2nd in overall points! And one of them became the proud owner of a partially restored 86 Ford Ranger. The next year, Brandon and I kicked butt and won our first feature! Course, we blew the engine hot lapping, then changed out the long block for a spare in 45 minutes before he started that race! One of my best memories ever! Anyway, after another season, we kinda lost touch because Brandon got to running with a bad crowd. I quit going to the track, but Harold would always make sure I was okay. Dad quit working for him in 03, but even up until he died, he would call dad once or twice a month to check on everybody. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 06, and Harold made sure to check on her every chance he got, even after she recovered.
This gives you an idea of the relationship Harold and I had. I found out yesterday at noon that he had passed. So, I left work and hauled butt to KY. At the funeral today, there were over 200 people who all cared for this man, whose lives he had touched. After the funeral, the procession made its way 10 miles to the track that Harold still owned and operated. As we pulled into the track parking lot, I heard the distinct sound of several high compression circle track engines reviving up. The hearse pulled onto the track, and led a group of Harolds friends in 3 laps, a green flag, the checkered flag, and a victory lap. After the final lap, the lead race car broke away and made a few hot laps, finishing with spinning out and doing a couple donuts in turn 4. When the car pulled into the pit and stopped, Brandon hopped out. I am as strong and tough as any man out there, but when that car came around that track wide open, and then his son climbed out, I feel no shame in admitting to crying. It broke my heart. But, as anybody who knew Harold would tell you, I will not shed another year for his passing, as he would want us all to remember him, miss him, but not cry over him. God bless you, Harold. You took that final checkered flag. You won this race. You have left behind many friends, who will forever remember you.
Sorry so long. I just needed to share this. Thank you to everybody in advance. I will post the video of Harolds final checkered flag if its okay with everybody.
This gives you an idea of the relationship Harold and I had. I found out yesterday at noon that he had passed. So, I left work and hauled butt to KY. At the funeral today, there were over 200 people who all cared for this man, whose lives he had touched. After the funeral, the procession made its way 10 miles to the track that Harold still owned and operated. As we pulled into the track parking lot, I heard the distinct sound of several high compression circle track engines reviving up. The hearse pulled onto the track, and led a group of Harolds friends in 3 laps, a green flag, the checkered flag, and a victory lap. After the final lap, the lead race car broke away and made a few hot laps, finishing with spinning out and doing a couple donuts in turn 4. When the car pulled into the pit and stopped, Brandon hopped out. I am as strong and tough as any man out there, but when that car came around that track wide open, and then his son climbed out, I feel no shame in admitting to crying. It broke my heart. But, as anybody who knew Harold would tell you, I will not shed another year for his passing, as he would want us all to remember him, miss him, but not cry over him. God bless you, Harold. You took that final checkered flag. You won this race. You have left behind many friends, who will forever remember you.
Sorry so long. I just needed to share this. Thank you to everybody in advance. I will post the video of Harolds final checkered flag if its okay with everybody.