Jeff Gordon’s Quiet Healing Impact on 9/11 Children
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[/media-credit]Ten years ago this race weekend, terrorists attacked the United States resulting in loss of life at the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, DC, and on Flight 93 that went down in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
For thousands of families, their fathers or mothers or sisters or brothers never came home that day. But for the children who lost their parents, September 11th took away the most important people in their lives.
Because of the magnitude of loss in New Jersey, a family serving agency began a therapeutic healing arts program to help children in their community who had lost their parents in the terrorist attacks.
And in one particular healing arts group, primarily comprised of boys, it was soon determined that another bond outside of 9/11 bound them together, their lost fathers’ love of NASCAR racing.
It was also discovered that the dads who had been killed in the Twin Towers all fancied one particular driver, four-time champion Jeff Gordon, as their favorite NASCAR driver.
With this information and the connection established, the healing art professionals decided that one of their healing projects would be to have the young boys build pine wood derby race cars in memory of their dads and to honor their love of racing.
The group worked diligently on their race cars, crafting them and decorating them, many with the No. 24 displayed prominently, as well as plenty of Gordon-like flames. And as they worked, the boys wondered if there might be any way that they could share their projects with their favorite driver, or better yet, get his autograph on their race cars.
Gordon’s Foundation, then the Jeff Gordon Foundation, was contacted and agreed that they would do their best to get the race cars autographed, turning them around quickly before the first set of holidays that the children would endure without their fathers. The boys packed up their newly-built race cars, with a few notes to share their meaning, and mailed them off to the Jeff Gordon Foundation offices.
In just a few weeks, a package arrived for the group. It was filled not only with races cars bearing Jeff Gordon’s autograph, but also notes to the children and other memorabilia from the NASCAR champion.
Gordon’s healing impact on this particular group of children devastated by September 11th, 2001 was palpable. They raced their autographed pine wood derby cars in their fathers’ memories and enjoyed them as special mementos and memories throughout the holiday season.
“I don’t think there is anybody in this country that will ever forget where they were and what that experience was like on 9/11,” Gordon said. “Just remembering the devastation and those that were lost, especially as much time as I spend in NYC, having a greater appreciation of the impact that it has had.”
“I sat there I shock like so many others did that day.”
As the days, weeks and months passed, the children grew and learned and healed. And they began to think of some way that they could repay the kindness of one NASCAR driver.
When they learned that Gordon and his wife Ingrid Vandebosch became parents themselves, they crafted a special memory box for Gordon’s daughter Ella Sofia. It was presented to the champion at one of his appearances in New York City.
“Now our world that we live in takes on a whole new responsibility in meaning and pride,” Gordon said. “We want to show how strong we truly are and how this experience has not only made us come together and be a tighter and stronger group and to go out there and show the rest of the world why we’re proud to be Americans.”
This year, on the tenth anniversary of this tragedy that shook the country, Jeff Gordon will be racing his No. 24 Drive to End Hunger/Chase Card Services Chevrolet at Richmond International Raceway. Gordon has already secured his place in the Chase and also in history, with his 85th career win in the sport last weekend at Atlanta.
But there is no doubt that a group of now young men will be carefully watching as the four-time champion takes to the track for the 400 laps of Richmond racing. And they may just have their own special race cars by their sides, remembering the quiet healing impact of one NASCAR driver.
NASCAR ‘Never Forgets’ by Honoring the Tenth Anniversary of 9/11 at Richmond International Raceway
As NASCAR’s last race of the “regular season” draws near, we can’t help but to be cognizant of the fact that Richmond’s September race always falls on or near the anniversary of 9/11. We will never forget that horrific day in 2001, just three days after Ricky Rudd claimed victory in the Chevrolet Monte Carlo 400 at Richmond International Raceway (RIR), when terrorists systematically attacked our great nation and life as we knew it would change forever.
In the eight races that have run in the Fall since the attack I’ve seen some pretty amazing tributes at the track. RIR has always made a it a point to honor that day, the men and women who were lost, their families who were left behind, the brave Military who fight for our freedom and all First Responders who do the unthinkable each and every day by running into danger while everyone else is running out.
This year as we remember the tenth anniversary, RIR will honor America with what will no doubt be an extremely emotional ceremony. Hundreds of volunteers will be on hand to pass out American flags to all race attendees as they pass through the gates, collect donations for “NASCAR Unites”, part of the 9/11 “I Will” campaign and assist with the distribution and collection of post card messages for First Responders nationwide.
During the pre-race ceremonies, fans will stand in unison with Wounded Warriors, US Army Specialist Brendan Marrocco and Marine Corps Corporal Todd Nicely; who were the first and second Americans to lose all four limbs in combat and survive, as they recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Danny Rodriguez, who has become know as the “singing policeman from New York City” will sing God Bless America and the U.S. Army’s 29th Infantry Division Band from Ft. Belvoir, will perform the National Anthem. Fans are encouraged to wave their flags to show their respect and patriotism during the entire pre-race, as well as during the special moment of silence between laps nine and 11.
“Richmond International Raceway is unique in that every year since the 9/11 attacks our September race weekend has fallen on the weekend closest to 9/11,” commented Richmond International Raceway President Dennis Bickmeier. “It has always been important to us to recognize 9/11 and remember the victims and survivors, but even more so this weekend as we remember the 10th anniversary of 9/11. We are proud of our military and first responders; active, former and retired, and we are honored to have so many join us this weekend. I think our fans will find that this will be the most patriotic pre-race ceremony they have ever been a part of at Richmond International Raceway.”
During driver introductions, each of the Sprint Cup racers will cross the stage and exit into a tunnel of First Responders from Virginia. Each driver will then be partnered with a member of the “Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans for America” in a Chevrolet Silverado for a lap around the track, each carrying an American flag.
Virginia’s Henrico County Fire Department will display a large American flag from their ladder truck on the apron of the frontstretch, while the Charlottesville Fire Department ladder truck will be on display on the backstretch of the track. Five color guards will present our nations’ flags; Ft. Lee Army will be positioned on the pre-race pad, Central Virginia Combo Fire Team in Turn One, Virginia State Police in Turn Two, Newport News Police in Turn Three and the Naval Ocean Processing Facility in Turn Four.
To culminate the events and recognize the anniversary, fans at the track, television and radio broadcasters and the track announcer will go quiet for a moment of silence between laps nine through 11 to pause and remember the events that unfolded on Sept. 11, 2001.
“NASCAR takes great pride in the patriotism that the sport showcases every race weekend, and the 10th anniversary of 9/11 is a special opportunity for NASCAR to unite and recognize those we lost and honor those who responded with courage,” NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France said. “Bringing together the various 9/11 tributes with the NASCAR Unites platform collectively demonstrates the giving nature of NASCAR fans and those who work in our sport.”
Join the 9/11 tribute movement at to view gratitude and remembrance by drivers, crews, sponsors, tracks and fans as they honor the tenth year anniversary of 9/11 or to create your own accolade by thanking a First Responder for their service and dedication by sending an online post card.
Never Forget.
NASCAR’s Last Race Before the Chase: Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting at Richmond International Raceway
This weekend Richmond International Raceway will play host once again to the “Last Race Before the Chase.” Since the introduction of “The Chase for the Sprint Cup” in 2004, Richmond’s September night race has served as the “regular season’s” finale.
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[/media-credit]It generally proves to be one heck of a show as the drivers vie for one of the top-10 coveted Chase spots and/or two of the “Wild Card” positions that will ultimately make up the top-12 who will go on to compete in the season’s 10 race showdown that ultimately determines who the 2011 Sprint Cup champ will be.
Heading into Richmond, nine drivers have already secured their place in the Chase. Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch, Ryan Newman and Brad Keselowski, who currently hold ones of the two Wild Card positions. While technically, any driver currently sitting 23rd or better has a chance at one of the remaining three Chase spots, all eyes are focused on a handful of drivers who are expected to get the job done.
As the points stand now heading into the weekend, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlin are the favorites to secure those last coveted positions, but fans know that in NASCAR anything can and will happen, nothing is guaranteed. In order to process it all one must turn to higher math and perhaps a perfect alignment of all the planets to get it a full understanding of just how things could turn out.
With three victories under his belt, Keselowski has clinched himself a safe haven in one of the two Wild Card positions, but depending on his finish in Richmond is still eligible for a Top-10 spot, potentially knocking Earnhardt Jr. and Stewart out of one of the ninth and 10th spots in which they currently sit.
In order to clinch his spot in the Chase, regardless of how any other driver finishes, Earnhardt Jr., who has failed to make the Chase since 2008, must secure a 20th place finish or better, 21st or better and leads at least one lap or 22nd or better and leads the most laps. Regardless of any other driver’s finish, Stewart will clinch his spot by finishing 18th or better, 19th or betting leading one lap and 20th or better leading the most laps.
Got that? Good! It gets a little trickier from here.
Hamlin can seize his Wild Card spot by winning the race on Saturday night. Paul Menard could potentially take that Wild Card should he win the race. Other hopefuls include Marcos Ambrose and David Ragan, who are also eligible for the Wild Card, but each of them would need to take their car to victory AND advance their point standings into the Top-20.
The best of the rest would require a win, a position in the Top-20 and a variety of scenarios and various finishes from the other drivers in order to earn their place in the Chase.
The Chase can be a tough nut to crack, but just as the race, aptly named the “Wonderful Pistachios 400,” will prove in the end; once the tough outer shell has been cracked, the delicious goodness inside makes the fight for the checkered flag that much more worthwhile.
So who’s it going to be? After a two year hiatus, will Earnhardt Jr.’s performance prove worthy of a Chase spot, will Stewart channel that old school intensity that we know and love to hang on to 10th place and will Hamlin, Richmond’s favorite son, kick it into high gear to bring home a win at his hometown track for the third year in a row?
Only time will tell, so have at it boys, Saturday night’s alright for fighting, so get a little action in and give the fans a night to remember!
NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings: Atlanta
Note: The quotes in this article are fictional.
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[/media-credit]1. Jimmie Johnson: Johnson nearly chased down teammate Jeff Gordon at Atlanta, but settled for second after ten laps of dramatic racing to close Tuesday’s rain-delayed race. Johnson has three-straight top-4 finishes, and took sole possession of the Sprint Cup points lead with a 21-point cushion over Kyle Busch.
“The weather nearly dictated the outcome,” Johnson said. “Had the precipitation continued, another ‘J.J.,’ J.J. Yeley, would have been the winner. Yeley was praying for more rain. It never came. With a sixth-consecutive Cup title in my sights, I’m praying for more reign.”
2. Kyle Busch: Busch was strong at Atlanta early, leading 19 laps, but after making contact with the wall near the midway point, handling issues arose and he never challenged the lead again. He eventually finished 23rd, one lap off the pace, and fell out of a tie for the Sprint Cup points lead. Busch is now second, 21 behind Jimmie Johnson.
“I haven’t exactly been dominating in the last two races,” Busch said. “History would suggest I’m just gearing up for a disappointing Chase run. This is one instance in which I wish I was like Juan Montoya. Alas, lately my driving doesn’t strike fear into anyone.”
3. Jeff Gordon: Gordon won for the third time this year, holding off Jimmie Johnson over a tense final ten laps in the AdvoCare 500 in Hampton, Georgia. The win was Gordon’s 85th career triumph, placing him alone in third in the all-time wins list. Gordon moved up one spot to fifth in the point standings, and trails Johnson by 43 points.
“Jimmie and I wore out our tires battling each other,” Gordon said. “We were slipping and sliding all over the track. Nonetheless, it was a ‘gripping’ finish.”
4. Brad Keselowski: Keselowski finished sixth at Atlanta, posting his sixth-straight top-10 and fifth consecutive top-5 result. He is 11th in the Sprint Cup point standings and has clinched a spot in the Chase.
“I’m really excited,” Keselowski said. “I’m in the Chase, and I’ll be going up against some of the drivers I’ve admired, and Carl Edwards.
5. Carl Edwards: Edwards led 14 laps in the AdvoCare 500 on his way to a fifth-place showing, his first top-5 result since a fifth at Kentucky on July 9th. He improve one spot to third in the point standings, and now trails Jimmie Johnson by 38.
“As you know,” Edwards said, “Fastenal has agreed to sponsor my No. 99 Ford for 17 races next year. Couple that with my recent lucrative contract extension, and I’m ‘rolling in dough,’ which may explain why I’ve been so slow lately.”
6. Matt Kenseth: Kenseth looked to be the car to beat in the middle section of Tuesday’s AdvoCare 500, but sudden handling problems dampened his run at the front. Still, he finished a solid ninth and is now fourth in the point standings, 39 out of first.
“As has been widely reported,” Kenseth said, “I was one of the seven drivers from the 2010 Chase who accepted an invitation to the White House. I met Dale Earnhardt, the ‘man in black.’ Now, I’ll soon be able to say I’ve met Barrack Obama, the man in ‘White.’
7. Kevin Harvick: Harvick finished seventh at Atlanta, his 12th top-10 result of the year. Harvick’s day nearly ended in disaster when contact on a lap 135 restart sent him sideways, but he made an incredible save to continue with no damage. He is sixth in the point standings, but with three wins this year, will likely start no worse than third when the Chase For The Cup begins.
“I saved the day,” Harvick said. “It remains to be seen whether I can save the season. I haven’t sniffed a hint of victory since winning at Charlotte in late May. And that stinks. But let’s face it. With me, ‘V’ isn’t for ‘victory;’ it’s for ‘vendetta,’ against Kyle Busch. But I’ll continue on my merry way with little concern. My motto is ‘Don’t worry, be ‘Happy.’”
8. Kurt Busch: Busch finished fourth in the AdvoCare 500, posting his sixth top-5 finish of the year. He clinched a berth in the Chase For The Cup by virtue of points.
“Hey,” Busch said, “that’s the first time ‘virtue’ and ‘Kurt Busch’ have been used together in a sentence. But I’m just happy to be in the Chase. There’s a number of drivers with legitimate chances to win the Cup. I’m happy to do my part to maintain a healthy balance between ‘contenders’ and ‘pretenders.’”
9. Ryan Newman: Newman came home with a lackluster 20th-place finish at Atlanta, but clinched a spot in the Chase For The Cup, joining Kurt Busch and Brad Keselowski as the latest drivers to clinch.
“I’m in,” Newman said, “but Tony Stewart has yet to solidify his berth, and likely won’t know his fate until the end of Saturday’s Richmond race. So, I’ve clinched, while Tony will be clenching….his sphincter.”
10. Denny Hamlin: Hamlin led six laps on his way to an eighth-place finish in the AdvoCare 500, his ninth top-10 result of the year. Hamlin sits 12th in the point standings, and can lock up a Chase berth
“I won at Richmond last September,” Hamlin said. “Hopefully, for once this year, I can live up to last year’s standards.”
Helping Danica: The Top-5 Drivers Who Could Share the Cup Ride with Danica Patrick
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[/media-credit]The mystery of who will share a ride with Danica Patrick in the third car for Stewart-Haas Racing is still just that: a mystery! Here is my list of the top 5 drivers who would run the remaining 26-28 races on the 2012 schedule.
#1- Mark Martin-
Reasons why- What is not to like about Mark Martin? He has experience, he can help Danica in every way and he is one of the most talented drivers in NASCAR history. Martin’s kindness and respectfulness on the racetrack has won over fellow competitors and other drivers. Fans respect Martin as well which is a big deal for sponsorships.
Why not- Rick Hendrick suggested last week that Mark Martin is interested in running for Phoenix Racing in 2012. Hendrick also indicated that he is interested in running only 20 races next season. If he shares the ride with Patrick he will have to run 26-28 races which may be more than what Martin wants to run.
#2- Landon Cassill-
Why- The former Hendrick Motorsports development driver has had a decent year running the No. 51 Chevrolet this season for James Finch. If Martin replaces Cassill, Cassill may go to Stewart-Haas as sponsors may be attracted to the 22 year old driver from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He has run all the races this season aside from the Daytona 500 in 2011.
Why not- The 22 year old may be a little young for this ride. Stewart-Haas may prefer to go with a veteran type driver to help Danica Patrick learn the tracks and the heavier, faster Sprint Cup Series cars; Something that Landon Cassill may not be an expert in himself.
#3-Bobby Labonte-
Why- Bobby Labonte is a great friend of Tony Stewart as they were teammates from 1999-2005 at Joe Gibbs Racing. He has the past champions provisional if needed. His contract at JTG Daugherty Racing runs out at the end of 2011. He has run every race since the 1993 Daytona 500. He has the experience, the charm, and the talent sponsors are looking for. His fan base is very passionate and a competitive ride would only make them more passionate. The 2000 series champion may be a dark horse for this ride.
Why not- Many people feel he still has something left. He may resign with the No. 47 team if they feel like he can still race. This would only be a one year deal, at best, for SHR since Danica Patrick will run full-time in 2013. Unless Labonte is thinking about scaling back his schedule I doubt he would take the Stewart-Haas ride over the No. 47.
#4- Bill Elliott-
Why- If Mark Martin is out of the picture; Bill Elliott may be a good fit for Patrick’s team. No he has not run more than 20 races in a year since 2003; however, Elliott has said he would race full-time for a team that is very competitive. Elliott also is eligible for the past champions provisional, which is something that could help this team as well. His experience is just as good as Mark Martins. He is also one of the sports’ most popular drivers ever. That’s a big help for sponsorships.
Why not- For the last couple of seasons Elliott has only ran 12-15 races and only 5 in 2011. He may be a little rusty and that may be unattractive to sponsors. He hasn’t won a race since November 2003, which may be unattractive as well.
#5- Elliott Sadler-
Why- Sadler’s got the experience and personality that is attractive to sponsorships. He has had moderate success in the Sprint Cup Series and has run a Cup car as recent as 2010 season. He has had nice success in the Nationwide Series in 2011 and has a sponsor with a lot of money which could help with this ride.
Why not- Sadler’s last three seasons in Cup weren’t something to be proud about. He hasn’t been competitive in Cup in a long time, sponsors may want to put their money somewhere else than on a guy who hasn’t done much in Cup in a while. He also has a contract to run the full season with Kevin Harvick Inc. for the 2012 season in the Nationwide Series. Drivers have flown back and forth to races before however; his Nationwide team may not let him do that.
Other Drivers:
Aric Almirola- He is Danica Patrick’s teammate in the Nationwide Series and is well respected around the garage. He has made 35 Cup starts in his career and many people feel that he is the next driver in line for an opportunity in the Cup series. He has had a better second half of the 2011 season and is a Chevy driver, all of which helps Almirola. However, he is under contract to run full-time in the Nationwide Series in 2012 for JR Motorsports. Many people feel he is a legitimate championship contender for the Nationwide Series title. Having a Cup ride may affect a chance at having that happen.
Clint Bowyer- I highly doubt he won’t run full-time in 2012. It sounds like he may leave Richard Childress Racing, but rumors have it he may have a full-time ride at Richard Petty Motorsports or Roush Fenway Racing. He is a long shot at best for this ride.
David Gilliland- He has had moderate success with the No. 34 team this year and is Tony Stewart’s drafting buddy on Superspeedways. However, I doubt a man in the prime of his career will take a part time ride, even if it is a Hendrick Motorsports car.
Michael McDowell- He has start and parked at HP Racing for most of the last 3 seasons. However, he is young and has some experience in Cup which could make him a factor for the ride.
Besides these few drivers not much else is out there for Tony Stewart. It will be interesting to see what he does to fill that ride.
