First off, let me thank everyone who sent an email, made a phone call or kept my family in their prayers over the last several days. The loss of my grandfather, family patriarch Robert Marlow , has been a tough one to deal with. But your kind words and certainly your prayers have helped us immensely, and, on behalf of my entire family, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

It should come as no surprise that this week's update, while being a little late, is a little different from the rest.

I can't tell you how many times I've been asked how I got involved in racing and interested in the sport's history. Simply put, I inherited my grandfather's love and passion for the sport, and I learned from him who the pioneers and history makers were. This week, I try to share a little of that passion he held by sharing a few of my favorite racing stories from Poppa over at Georgia Racing History.com . I hope they put a smile on your face. They always do for me.

Unfortunately, there's more sad news to share in the racing community, as Bruce Brantley 's brother Gary Brantley passed away back on May 11. Please keep Bruce and his family in your prayers. You can sign an online message book here .

Saturday, May 28 will mark the Grand Reopening of the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame in Dawsonville. Festivities will take place all day, with a pancake breakfast at 8:30 a.m. and lunch by the famous Dawsonville Pool Room. There will be a driver autograph session, ribbon cutting, car show and, of course, tours of the Hall of Fame. The Hall is located at 415 Hwy 53 East in Dawsonville. For directions, go to www.georgiaracinghof.com or give us a call at (706) 216-RACE for more info. We can't wait to see you there.

Folks, the next class for the NASCAR Hall of Fame will be chosen soon, and it's up to us to do our part to try to help the Georgia Gang get in this year! Raymond Parks , Tim Flock and Red Byron are all up again this year, and we need to make a statement and do all we can to get one or more of them in NASCAR's Hall of Fame this year. So, how can you do your part? Just go here and place your vote for Mr. Parks, Tim and Red! You can only vote once an hour, so make sure your vote is heard! You have until June 12 to vote, so we've got a lot of work to do and not a lot of time to do it. For more information on the NASCAR Hall of Fame, go here . Let's get the job done this year, and make a Georgia great a member of the 2012 induction class to the NASCAR Hall of Fame!

Happy Birthday wishes go out this week on May 20 to Dave Despain, on May 21 to Cotton Owens, on May 24 in memory of Jack Smith (1924-2001) and on May 25 in memory of Smokey Yunick (1923-2001).

Thanks everybody, and have a great week!

Brandon Reed
Georgia Racing History.com