Dear blog readers,

The past few days have been very busy for me. I have been taking some time to read through the cards and letters that I have received over the past couple months from friends and fans all around the world. The out pouring of support for my boy James and Jon has been incredible and I just want to thank everyone for all of the love and support that I have received in the form of letters, cards, flowers and donations to Speedway children’s charity and the B.R.A.K.E.S. Foundation for the boys.

Thank you everyone for all you kind words and generosity. It means the world to me and to Jessie and Jon and James. Thank you.

Another few things have happened over the past week that I would like to share with everyone. My dad, Chet Herbert, came to the races this past weekend with me in Las Vegas. We had a plan to drive together to Salt Lake City and visit his mom, my 99-year-old grandmother, Bessie Herbert. On Saturday morning we got a call that she had passed away, so unfortunately instead of going to visit her we had to go her funeral.

My dad and I had about a 16-hour drive to talk and get reacquainted. It was a great drive. I love my dad and we had a great trip.

I know many of you blog readers have heard me talk about my friend and former champion racer Billy Williams, Billy taught me so much about engines and race cars when I firstt started racing and I am forever indebted to him. On the drive home with my dad, Billy’s wife Dianne called me to let me know that Billy had died. Billy had been in a coma since his 2002 accident at Rockingham in his Funny Car so I think that now Billy will be at peace and hopefully he can help teach Jon and James a few things, too. Rest in peace, Billy. And Dianne, we all love you; Billy is in a better place.

Billy will have a visitation near his home in Ohio tomorrow, Thursday the 17th from 2-4 p.m. and from 7-9 p.m. at Mallchoks Funeral Home, 5660 Ridge Rd, Parma, OH. 44129 . I am flying up tomorrow with a few of Billy’s and my friends from the area.