Out of the clear blue this morning I noted in a news release that an old friend had recently received the NASCAR Track Services Award of Excellence . Like the "I don't get no respect" character portrayed by Rodney Dangerfield, Richmond International Raceway's Linwood Burrow has toiled in the background for over 40 years at his post, first for the late Paul Sawyer and today for International Speedway Corporation.
As Director of Track Operations at the pristine Richmond track, it is Linwood who makes everything go smoothly at the track on race weekend, from the toilets flushing to coordinating the traffic flow in and out of the track to being sure the jet dryers are full of fuel.
Linwood is "Old School." He used to travel to the races and help work on cars for legendary Virginia car builder "Blue" Burton who fielded the famous #33 NASCAR Modifieds and Late Model Sportsman cars for such luminaries as Al Grinnan, Bill Dennis and Ray and Roy Hendrick, as well as a now and again outing by Lennie Pond. When members on this site like Bobby Williamson and Jim Wilmore may have seen the #33 Late Model Sportsman winning one of its many victories at the paved Cumberland International Raceway in Fayetteville, NC, Linwood would have been part of the crew. Ditto when Ed Sanseverino and Billy Biscoe saw it win at Orange County.
When I say Linwood is "Old School," it is a term of endearment, not derision. Linwood always worked in the background, not the forefront. At Richmond, it was Linwood who was directing the efforts of the post hole diggers when Neil Bonnett tore down the old Armco steel guardrail and it had to be replaced to keep racing. When the old half-mile infield was a mudhole, it was Linwood who had to get the cars towed out. When Richmond's "spring" date always came in February the week after the Daytona 500, it was Linwood who led the crew breaking the ice off the track in the mornings and getting the snow off the seats so competitors and fans alike could go racing.
Wonder why you never saw any trash littering the grounds at the Richmond track? Linwood Burrow is why. Who is the fellow on the hill with the weed eater showing 5 other guys how to do it right? That was Linwood.
Before I left the Richmond track in 1999, Linwood was stricken with cancer. He was hospitalized for many months at St. Mary's Hospital in Richmond, under the care of many of the same doctors and nurses he kept comfortable at the track's infield medical center complex when they volunteered their time on race weekends.
We never expected to see Linwood back again at the races. His wife Monica worked in the Raceway ticket office and helped everyone keep the faith. When you visited Linwood in the hospital he never complained. He was too busy planning how to make the experiences of drivers, crews, officials and fans visiting the "Fan Friendly " Richmond track even better. But Linwood was able to finally return to what he loved and where he has toiled for so many years as an unsung hero.
Linwood was always my "go to" person when I needed something done at the Richmond track. Everybody needs a "go to " person to be successful. It's been nearly 13 years since I've seen him, but I congratulate Linwood Burrow for his NASCAR Track Services Award of Excellence. I also congratulate NASCAR for recognizing the unsung folks who help make it happen.
Linwood Burrow (R) Receives NASCAR Excellence Award from Mike Helton
Richmond International Raceway Staff Receive NASCAR Awards of Excellence
1/17/2012
Two Richmond International Raceway employees recently received awards acknowledging their commitment to excellent service they provide to RIR and the NASCAR community.
Linwood Burrow , director of track operations, and Seiji Kashiwabara, nursing director, earned the Track Services Award for Excellence and Nursing Director of the Year Award for Excellence, respectively, at the 2012 NASCAR Summit earlier this week.
We are thrilled to have two of our staff members recognized at this years NASCAR Summit, said RIR President Dennis Bickmeier. Their continued enthusiasm and professionalism are vital to our operations throughout the year and on race weekend.
NASCAR presents The Track Services Award for Excellence annually to an individual who has taken the initiative to significantly improve track services at a NASCAR National Series Track over the duration of a career of ten or more years. Burrow, who earned the service award, has been a member of the Richmond International Raceway staff for over 40 years.
NASCAR annually awards The Nursing Director of the Year Award for Excellence to a Nursing Director who shows outstanding leadership and organizational skills, quickly addresses concerns and delivers an immediate and positive outcome. Kashiwabara and his medical team operate the RIR Infield Care Center on race weekends, where they provide medical care to competitors and track guests. Kashiwabara has been a part of the RIR team for the past 11 years.
Its an honor to have one of our team members recognized by NASCAR, said Dr. M. Stephen Kramer, M.D., Medical Director at Richmond International Raceway for the past 23 years. Seiji is such a talent and a great representation of Richmond International Raceway.
The awards were presented based on the employees service during the year 2011 and prior.
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updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM
