If it seems like a long time since I have updated my blog, it’s because it has in fact, been awhile. You know how one day turns into two, then two weeks turn into three. Life has not only been busy, it has had its share of stress and heartache.

Back on April 17th, I wrote about my good friend Robert Rogers and his mother, Peg Rogers, who was very ill and in need of prayer. She passed away just a few short weeks ago. I wanted to be there for Robert and his family but as I have mentioned in an earlier blog, there are many outside responsibilities that go along with being a driver. Those responsibilities dictated that I be elsewhere instead of her funeral and I was sick about it. Rest assured, my heart and prayers were there with Robert and his family as I pressed onward to do my job.

The best and most fun part of the job that the fans and drivers absolutely love is, unfortunately, the dangerous part. Englishtown proved that when we lost Scott Kalitta in that round four qualifying incident. Losing Scottie like that and at such a young age (only 46) is beyond difficult to endure. It was difficult to press onward as a personal friend and the racing community as a whole, but we respectfully paused and then pressed onward as Scott certainly would have wanted us to do.

John Stewart, Randy Green, and myself flew to Scott’s funeral in Florida. It was truly a celebration of Scott’s life and I will never forget it. Everybody seems to be doing as well as they can be doing at this point in time. This will take some time for the pain to subside.

I just want to say to Scott’s wife, Kathy, and two sons, Corey and Colin, our thoughts and prayers are with you always. Everybody here on the Fram team and at DSR wish you the very best. You will continue to be within our hearts and minds as we all begin to heal. Connie, your strength is nothing short of inspirational. We press onward...

Just as life began to exhibit a semblance of returning to a state of normalcy, I received a phone call with more bad news. One of the most important people to me in the whole world, my grandmother, passed away. My grandmother meant as much to me as any person who has ever been part of my life; now she is gone. This isn’t getting any easier. I can write a book about all of the things that my grandmother taught me and what she has done for me. I can’t even begin to know how much I will miss her, but for now, we have to press onward.

The Western Swing is about to begin, so we will first head to my grandmother’s funeral, then arrive in Denver by Thursday. As you know, the Western Swing is a bit of grind, three straight weeks on the road. This will take some strength to get through, but my Fram boys are ready and we will be there ready to race for the Wally. It should be a very interesting weekend in Denver as the nitro cars will, for the first time in history, race to the 1000-foot mark.

Well, to say the least, the last few weeks have been trying and painful. I have never been a believer in old wives tales but I have heard it said that people pass away in “threes.” I have had three and hope that I don’t experience anymore for a long time. I will take the recent events in my life as a reminder to tell the ones that I love that I love them and hug them and tell them how much they mean to me. I’m sure that you will do the same, don’t let fate be your reminder.

I will have the next blog entry posted very soon. I will be continuing to tell you about the Fram boys, you know the great crew recently featured on NHRA.com and National DRAGSTER (June 27 issue, page 13 in the “Out Of The Groove” section) Thanks for your patience guys, I still think you are the best crew in the pits! See you at the races.