Posted by: Doug Herbert, Herbert Performance/BRAKES
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During the last two days so much has happened. I lost my two sons in a terrible car accident here in North Carolina while I was in Phoenix getting ready to start testing in my team's quest for the 2008 Top Fuel championship. Sonnie called me on Saturday morning. As soon as I heard the news I knew that I had to get back home as fast as possible.
I didn't know what I could do but I knew I had to be there. As I said goodbye to my team I let them know that I wanted to continue with testing and not lose sight of what we went to Phoenix for. As I was thinking about who would drive the car in testing my crew chief Kevin Poynter came to me with glassy eyes and let me know that he wanted to be the driver in testing and I immediately knew that was the best option. Kevin joins only a few of my friends who have driven my race cars: David Grubnic, Mike Dunn, Paul Romine, and Jim Bailey. As bad as I want to put that new car down the track in testing I had to leave and take care of my boys. I know that Kevin will do a great job and that car will be ready to win at Pomona.
The last person that I saw at the track was John Medlen. As soon as I saw him I started to cry. We talked for a few minutes before I had to leave. We actually did not say very much to each other but the look in his eye told me that he was brutally aware of what I was feeling. John, thank you for coming over. We have known each other for years but I know now that you are my brother. Thank you.
Ginger had just arrived to join me at preseason testing and I was so glad that I had her there with me, and she has been with me at this time when things are so tough, I'm lucky and thankful for that. I am lucky to have found such a wonderful woman.
I got on next flight to Charlotte. The gate agent at US Air was great, he said he had eight kids and he just couldn't imagine what I was going through. To be honest, at that time I am not sure yet of what I was going to be going through. While I was waiting for my flight I took the time to call some of my best friends and also received calls from some of my best friends. One that hit me was a text from Larry Dixon; he just said sorry and he was here for me. That made me feel good. I love Larry's kids and last summer I had the chance to be Uncle Doug with them a few times and it was great. I even got them to agree to cheer for me every time I raced except when I raced their dad and I thought that was a heck of a good deal. Larry and I have known each other for over 20 years and actually worked for the same speed shop company back in California in the early/mid 1980s.
Once I got to Charlotte I immediately went to see Jessie. She was staying with Sonnie in Cherryville and I wanted to make sure that she knew I was there for her. We talked for a long time and I did everything that I could do to make her feel better, and for that matter make me feel better. Just as I did it was just sinking into her that her brothers were gone from this earth and she had just lost her two best friends. I made sure that she knew I would always be her best friend, her Dad and now I was going to have to be her big brother, too. That was the toughest conversation I have ever had with someone that I care about and love.
From there I went back to my house on the way back I passed a news truck sitting on Jetton Road. Some of the boy's friends had already started a memorial. I couldn't help myself and I broke down in tears. It just hit me at that time: I was not going to see Jon and James anytime soon and that the great memories that I had would have to get me by. I have not stopped crying since then. The only thing that helps me right now is knowing those boys loved me. I saw James on Thursday night before I left for Phoenix. When I drove through the neighborhood I saw him riding his skateboard, even though he didn't see me I stopped and jumped out of my car and hollered at him, "Hey James". When he turned around and saw me he broke into his huge smile and gave me back a "Hey Dad." We got to talk for a couple minutes and when we said goodbye I let him know that I loved him. James' last words to me were "Dad, I love you, too," I will never ever forget that. James and I have the same birthday, Oct. 5 and as you can imagine we were very, very close. The divorce of his mom and dad was very hard on him but he was coming around and realizing that everything was going to be okay.
On Friday morning when I was on the way to the airport I decided to send Jon a text message and see how he was doing. We traded texts back and forth a few times and finally agreed that since I was going to be out of town at testing that we would get together for dinner this Wednesday at his favorite place, Outback. I was already looking forward to our dinner and some time to hang out with Jon and I told him that and that I loved him. The last text I got back from Jon was, "Dad I love you, too." I have it saved and will have that forever. I am not sure why things happen but I can say that I am thankful that the last thing both of my boys told me was that they loved me. I am sure they know how much I loved them.
When I got home, I was surprised to find that several of my friends were waiting for me and many more had brought food and thoughtful gifts or sent well wishes, flowers, cards. Thank you all. My friend Wanda Miller came over and kept things organized; she is a great person. Thank you, Wanda. My sister Heather flew in; thank you, sis. Many of my other friends came over and I am sure I won't be able to remember them all. Marty came in from California, Tom Cotter cut a vacation short and drove back from Virginia. Bob, Greg, Carl, Jeff, Adrian and many other friends came by. Many called, texted, and emailed; thank you all. I didn't get much sleep Saturday night. I tried but I just couldn't shut my head down. I finally went and lay in James' bed; that helped me. James had told me a couple times that he had the best bed in the house and right then I agreed with him 100 percent.
Yesterday was a blur. I had to go to the funeral home and make the arrangements. I wanted to do everything that I can for them and this was the hardest thing ever and something I never ever imagined that I would have to do but I knew that I had to as it will be the last thing that I can do for them right now and everyone who knows me knows that I would always do everything that I can for them.
Today I am going to the kids' school, Southlake Christian Academy. They are having a service for all the students and I want to be there to see some of their friends. Tomorrow there will be a visitation at Raymer Funeral Home in Huntersville and the memorial service will be at the school on Wednesday morning. They are closing the school for the day so that all the students will have a chance to attend and grieve together.
This world has lost two great people and two loving and caring boys that I will never ever forget. Everyone should grab your kids and give them a hug and kiss. Be sure to tell them how much you love them because as I have found out you really never know when the last time is that you will be able to tell them this.
Right now I know NO team has more motivation. We are racing in 2008 for one reason and let me make that very, very clear: We are going to win the 2008 NHRA Top Fuel championship in honor of my sons Jon and James. Watch us.