As race drivers we all know that accidents happen. Sooner or later no matter how prepared, skillful, young, old, Going fast or slow, an accident is going to be happen and injuries and even deaths occur. Does that mean that we are going to stop racing. Nope. Accidents and injuries and deaths occur in every type of sporting event enjoyed around the world today. I wasn’t sure I would write this article, but so many of my non racing friends have asked me about the recent unfortunate death of Izod IRL driver Dan Wheldon, that I decided it may be worth a few pages to explain why humans enjoy our sports enough to put ourselves at risk.
Actually studies show that sports participants are safer even in the most dangerous of sports, than the average pedestrian walking across the street. Some of my friends actually asked me why we participate in such treacherous activity. I wanted to say if you have to ask you wouldn’t understand to begin with, but I’ll try and explain that here also. Most talented athletes, and yes race car drivers are athletes. Just like Rodeo participants, Ball players, Gymnasts etc.
I believe that some of us who participate in sports at this level have a passion for that sport. We like the activity, the adrenaline rush, the competition, the chance at winning, the community of the sport we belong to, and the challenge to be the best that we can be. Some stock brokers like the feeling of making the big commission, athletes like the rush of excellence. It may be a combination of things that drives us to compete but basically I think it’s the feeling we get when we are striving to be the best. You can’t tell me that all pro athletes compete because they like the big paycheck. Brett Farve didn’t find it hard to retire because he liked the paychecks. It was hard for him to quit because he couldn’t imagine a life without playing. One of my favorite movies is about baseball. I think baseball is one of the most boring sports to watch, right up there with golf and tennis, but this movie, “ For Love Of the Game” with Kevin Costner, makes
make’s me understand why he works so hard to play, overcome injury, and pitch the perfect game. He even retires at the end so the team owner can sell the team without the new owners worrying about the salary cap issues. When I was younger I was a Denver Bronco’s fan, not because I liked Denver, or even CO, but because I liked to watch John Elway play. I think he was a man of average ability that was driven by the desire to be the best, and in the process lead his team to five superbowl appearances.
It wasn’t because Denver has the best payroll in the league. It was his desire to be the best. It is the same for race car drivers. The rush of the speed, the completion of the pass, the response from the car when you’re taking a corner at 125 mph and you push the throttle a little more feeling for just a little more grip from the tires while the suspension takes a set and the car settles on the new path. It’s the rush at that moment knowing what you’ve just accomplished, and the fun you’re going to have feeling it all over again later when you’re sitting around the toy-hauler after dinner enjoying a beer with your fellow competitors. 
We need to embrace the passion of our sports heroes. We don’t need to wallow in the sadness of losing them too soon. We need to revel in their accomplishments, remember their shining spirit, find the joy in recognizing them in the eyes of their son’s and daughter’s.
I have had the privilege, the burden, and the sorrow of taking care of someone while they suffer from a disease and pass away. Given the choice I want to die quickly, no matter the pain, I don’t really care how, but I do know that laying in a hospital bed is not for me. I want to look at the wall at that last instant and think “oh this is gonna hurt”. I think we should all be so lucky to go out doing what we enjoy the most. So go on a celebrate life, and the lives of the people you love the most. Life is not practice. You don’t get to wake up one day and decide you want a do over. Oops I want to do this better, or skydive, or learn to fly, or take your car to the track for the first time. Live it!
