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RIP John Andretti

Discussion in 'Sports and News' started by 2muchcoffeeman, Jan 30, 2020.

  1. 2muchcoffeeman

    2muchcoffeeman Well-Known Member

    Well, shit. Day ruined.

     
    2muchcoffeeman, Jan 30, 2020
    #1
  2. playthrough

    playthrough Moderator Staff Member

    Won in Nascar, open wheel and sports cars, and made the semifinals in his first NHRA event in a top fuel dragster. A throwback that racing doesn't see often anymore. Plus he was an exceptionally good guy.
     
    playthrough, Jan 30, 2020
    #2
    2muchcoffeeman, maumann, Neutral Corner and 1 other person like this.
  3. TigerVols

    TigerVols Well-Known Member

    Wow, this sucks.

    Had the great opportunity to work with John closely when my magazine had a marketing deal with him and RCA and as a result I got to roam everywhere at Daytona, Bristol and 'Dega with him and his team and it's a memory I cherish because I didn't get to hang out in NASCAR nearly enough.

    Exceptionally good guy is a great way to put it, @playthrough. He was so genteel and authentic.

    Edit: Colon cancer...diagnosed when he was the age I am now. OK, I'll be pooping on a stick this weekend no doubt.
     
    Last edited: Jan 30, 2020
    TigerVols, Jan 30, 2020
    #3
    maumann and playthrough like this.
  4. Machine Head

    Machine Head Well-Known Member

    I was at his first race with Petty Enterprises. Michigan, the interwebs tell me.

    One of the days he had on a PE/STP racing suit that was about 5 sizes too big, but man, he had a smile on him. Have a picture somewhere around here of him in that suit and smile. RIP.

    That was the weekend Ernie Irvan went into the wall. Watched the helicopter take off. I was in the garage area. No one thought he was going to make it. Irvan and Yates were on a roll, they were a force. Then, Michigan.
     
    Machine Head, Jan 30, 2020
    #4
    maumann likes this.
  5. Sam Mills 51

    Sam Mills 51 Well-Known Member

    This sucks.

    In an age where more drivers are jerked around by PR machines and such, the impression seems to be that he Got It. Wasn't a pile of drivel, useless scripting and cliches. Plus the "good guy" label from the right posters here seals it.

    Keep Pounding, John. RIP, good sir and thank you.
     
    Sam Mills 51, Jan 30, 2020
    #5
    maumann likes this.
  6. playthrough

    playthrough Moderator Staff Member

    He had a wild project around 2011, an IndyCar that he tried to get signed by every living Indy 500 driver. It was eventually auctioned off by Barrett-Jackson for St. Jude's Children's Hospital and he came pretty close to getting all 270 signatures or so. The drivers in prison weren't so easy.
     
    playthrough, Jan 30, 2020
    #6
    maumann likes this.
  7. maumann

    maumann Well-Known Member

    The checkered flag falls for a very good driver and greater man. RIP John.
     
    maumann, Jan 30, 2020
    #7
  8. 2muchcoffeeman

    2muchcoffeeman Well-Known Member

    2muchcoffeeman, Jan 30, 2020
    #8
  9. franticscribe

    franticscribe Well-Known Member

     
    franticscribe, Feb 7, 2020
    #9
    maumann and 2muchcoffeeman like this.
  10. TigerVols

    TigerVols Well-Known Member

    TigerVols, Feb 7, 2020
    #10
    2muchcoffeeman, maumann, franticscribe and 1 other person like this.
  11. maumann

    maumann Well-Known Member

    Really wish they'd have wound it up to 120 mph going down the backstretch, just for John's benefit.
     
    maumann, Feb 7, 2020
    #11
    franticscribe likes this.
  12. ChrisLong

    ChrisLong Well-Known Member

    That is so incredible taking the hearse onto the track.
    A few years ago, I attended a funeral of an old boxing guy. At the end of the service, they unveiled a ring bell and rang it 12 times -- the last round. Damn, I lost it and I didn't even know the guy that well.
     
    ChrisLong, Feb 7, 2020
    #12
    franticscribe and maumann like this.
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