Another Viewpoint Archives
Debbi Willis, Daw613@bigfoot.com
Gone Too Soon,
A Tribute to Adam Petty
A Special Editorial Reflection
Adam Petty
July 10, 1980-May 12, 2000
Shock, disbelief, confusion, an outcry of denial and a million questions of
why, was the reaction of most of the racing world on Friday afternoon, May 12
when Adam Petty died from an accident during practice for the BGN race at
NHIS. The news has covered all the details of the event with dignity and the
solemnity it commands. Most of the media has been respectful enough to allow
the Petty family their privacy. Fans around the country and the racing world
have expressed the deepest sympathy to the family in their loss. For many
it's an unimaginable thought, but for others it's all too close to home.
19 years old is barely enough time to make a dent in life, but Adam did. By
virtue of his family name, and the broadest, most memorable smile on the
tracks, Adam impressed everyone he met. Unpretentious, the boy-next-door,
always respectful of everyone (with the ma'ams and sirs peppering his speech)
and not relying on his name alone, Adam was the fruit of good family
influences. ESPN and RPM2nite have shown beautiful tributes to a special
young man in an especially close-knit family. Sudden tragic death is never
easy to accept. We humans like life, and loving and our families and our
hobbies and all the things we cull out of the existence we know on this
earth. Every parent dreads the thought of burying one of their children and
commonly pray never to have to, but sadly, it happens. The chance is a
little higher when children race.
Racing is a sport of extreme risk. All differences aside and no fan will
dispute with another that the sport risks life and limb of all the drivers
involved. So the question arises, why in the world would parents "permit"
their child to race, and especially so young? Remember the blood? The spirit
to compete to the very edge is something unmistakeable among racers and at
the core of all experiences requiring a step out in faith to test limits.
Racing families grow up in the midst of a sport that challenges everyone
involved. Not all children of racers want to race either. The
characteristics and traits show themselves until a racing parent is convinced
that it's the real thing. The atmosphere is a natural environment for them
and the potential for disaster and tragedy an accepted fact. Naturally, by
no means does this make any tragedy such as Adam's fatal accident any easier
to accept. The grief will last a long time for his family and multitude of
fans. But, the fact remains, given a chance to choose over again, the same
choices would be made- again.
Ultimately, absolute faith presides over all the fears. The Petty family
faith is no secret and a real credit to the strength they exhibit. When
Adam's crew chief was killed in a freak pit accident, their strong faith and
family ties were the ultimate testimony holding them all together to support
him through such a terrible accident. Mistakes happen. Strength comes
from enduring the trials and tribulations of our choices. However, when a
person's time has come, there's not much that can change the Plan. I believe
we'd live very differently if we knew when our moment was and oft think we
should, since we don't know when our time will come. Faith is what helps
everyone through such a time as this, when answers are scarce and
understanding even less. Faith allows parents to trust in their children's
choices and beleive they'll be as safe as they're supposed to be. And it's
faith that we rely on for the strength to endure such intense heartache. The
morning the call came of my brother's demise last year is one I'll never
forget nor one I'd never have gone through had I had the choice. The
heartache is indescribably unbearable, unless you have faith. It's faith
that assures us, too, that we'll one day be rejoined, though a very small
comfort in the moment.
Adam's shortened life touched many people. Whether he'd have lived up to his
grandfather's legacy or not will never be known. Young as he was, he made an
impact and his was a life lived to the fullest and a credit to his heritage.
An infectious smile, a friendly style, always the competitor as well as a
friend, Adam Petty should have been heralding in a new era of Petty's in
Nascar. Instead, he'll be forever remembered by his family and all racing
fans as the rising young star gone too soon.
Another Viewpoint Home
Gone Too Soon,
A Tribute to Adam Petty
A Special Editorial Reflection
Adam Petty
July 10, 1980-May 12, 2000
Shock, disbelief, confusion, an outcry of denial and a million questions of why, was the reaction of most of the racing world on Friday afternoon, May 12 when Adam Petty died from an accident during practice for the BGN race at NHIS. The news has covered all the details of the event with dignity and the solemnity it commands. Most of the media has been respectful enough to allow the Petty family their privacy. Fans around the country and the racing world have expressed the deepest sympathy to the family in their loss. For many it's an unimaginable thought, but for others it's all too close to home.
19 years old is barely enough time to make a dent in life, but Adam did. By virtue of his family name, and the broadest, most memorable smile on the tracks, Adam impressed everyone he met. Unpretentious, the boy-next-door, always respectful of everyone (with the ma'ams and sirs peppering his speech) and not relying on his name alone, Adam was the fruit of good family influences. ESPN and RPM2nite have shown beautiful tributes to a special young man in an especially close-knit family. Sudden tragic death is never easy to accept. We humans like life, and loving and our families and our hobbies and all the things we cull out of the existence we know on this earth. Every parent dreads the thought of burying one of their children and commonly pray never to have to, but sadly, it happens. The chance is a little higher when children race.
Racing is a sport of extreme risk. All differences aside and no fan will dispute with another that the sport risks life and limb of all the drivers involved. So the question arises, why in the world would parents "permit" their child to race, and especially so young? Remember the blood? The spirit to compete to the very edge is something unmistakeable among racers and at the core of all experiences requiring a step out in faith to test limits. Racing families grow up in the midst of a sport that challenges everyone involved. Not all children of racers want to race either. The characteristics and traits show themselves until a racing parent is convinced that it's the real thing. The atmosphere is a natural environment for them and the potential for disaster and tragedy an accepted fact. Naturally, by no means does this make any tragedy such as Adam's fatal accident any easier to accept. The grief will last a long time for his family and multitude of fans. But, the fact remains, given a chance to choose over again, the same choices would be made- again.
Ultimately, absolute faith presides over all the fears. The Petty family faith is no secret and a real credit to the strength they exhibit. When Adam's crew chief was killed in a freak pit accident, their strong faith and family ties were the ultimate testimony holding them all together to support him through such a terrible accident. Mistakes happen. Strength comes from enduring the trials and tribulations of our choices. However, when a person's time has come, there's not much that can change the Plan. I believe we'd live very differently if we knew when our moment was and oft think we should, since we don't know when our time will come. Faith is what helps everyone through such a time as this, when answers are scarce and understanding even less. Faith allows parents to trust in their children's choices and beleive they'll be as safe as they're supposed to be. And it's faith that we rely on for the strength to endure such intense heartache. The morning the call came of my brother's demise last year is one I'll never forget nor one I'd never have gone through had I had the choice. The heartache is indescribably unbearable, unless you have faith. It's faith that assures us, too, that we'll one day be rejoined, though a very small comfort in the moment.
Adam's shortened life touched many people. Whether he'd have lived up to his grandfather's legacy or not will never be known. Young as he was, he made an impact and his was a life lived to the fullest and a credit to his heritage. An infectious smile, a friendly style, always the competitor as well as a friend, Adam Petty should have been heralding in a new era of Petty's in Nascar. Instead, he'll be forever remembered by his family and all racing fans as the rising young star gone too soon.
Another Viewpoint Home