R.I.P. Eric Horn - "The Big E" - Crew Member for Derrike Cope, Petty Enterprises & Robert Yates Racing

Sadly read in this morning's Charlotte newspaper of the passing of a terrific NASCAR crew member.

Eric Horn - "THE BIG E" - was as humble and soft spoken as he was large in stature.

When we opened the RABANCO Racing shop in Campobello, SC in 1986 for Winston Cup rookie, Derrike Cope, Eric was one of just three paid shop employees, along with crew chief Jackie Johnson and all-around mechanic "Teenie" Fox. Eric towered over us all... he looked like an NBA forward, but he was one heck of a tire changer and a heck of a nice fellow. Eric would pitch in and do anything.

Eric's connection with Derrike and "Teenie" Fox dated back to Yakima, Washington and the George Jefferson Winston West operation.

Eric first came east through his friendship with Larry Pollard (Harry Gant's son-in-law) to work at Petty Enterprises. He spent many years with Robert Yates with drivers Davey Allison, Ernie Irvan, Kenny Irwin and Dale Jarrett.

I'm sure many of our RR members, like William Horrell, who worked in NASCAR will remember "Big E." Prayers and thoughts to Eric's family and friends.

Eric Lee Horn

Obituary

Eric Lee Horn "The Big E" DENVER - Eric Horn, 60, passed away on September 14, 2013, in St. Johns Arizona. He was born and raised in Yakima, WA, graduating from East Valley High School in 1971. He got his first experience racing at the Yakima Speedway in 1969. He got a call in 1983 from friend Larry Pollard to work for Richard Petty's NASCAR team. He and his wife (the former Janet Hoerner, an Eisenhower grad) then moved to North Carolina where they lived for 28 years. He was fortunate to spend his entire career during what he loved most, working on the NASCAR circuit. Eric was the right rear tire changer and electrical wiring specialist for Robert Yates Racing during the tenures of Larry McReynolds, Davey Allison, Ernie Irvan, and Dale Jarrett. Eric was on the team when Dale Jarrett won the Winston Cup National Championship. Eric continued to work for Doug Yates at Roush Yates Engines after Robert Yates retired. Eric retired August 30, 2013. He then moved with his wife Janet to St. Johns, Arizona, to experience off-the-grid living. Eric was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Henry Horn and Llewellyn May (Metz) Horn, and his brother, Kurt Van Horn. He is survived by his wife, Janet Marie (Hoerner) Horn; his sisters Kay Firestone (Jim) and Jan Marie Wood (Roy); his niece Alexandra; his nephew, Mark Firestone; and his brother-in-law, Tom Hoerner (Marcia). There will be no local services.

Published in Charlotte Observer on September22,2013

my sincere condolences to his friends and family. May he rest in peace.

I can still picture all 6'-7" or so of Big E bent over the parts washer in our tiny South Carolina shop. That was quite a sight.

All Pro tire carrier Darrell Andrews is from my home town of Siler City, NC.

Not Big E.! My heart is heavy this morning as this is truly unsettling news... This is the first account I have heard...E. was a great team player but more so was just one of the few and far between type people that automatically drew a warm response from EVERYONE that met him. Dave, your description of his gentle nature was spot on and deserved to be boughtto the forefront of this article. Big E. was a gentleman in every sense of the word in ALL situations. Although it has been sometime now since I last conversed with E.

I write this with tears in my eyes and a smile on my face remembering the miles we traveled upand down the highway together doing what we all loved doing. Some of the best times of my life were spent around thisgentle giant of a guy.

Rest in Peace my good friend Eric you ran one hell of a race and have now left the Cup Garage for a far greater place, godspeed dear friend.

Thanks for this post Dave as I am gratefulfor receiving thenews.

Certainly my thoughts and prayers are to the family and friends of Big "E". He was hard to miss in the pits but I don't recall ever personally talking with him. Always a sadness when our racing family loses someone, especially someone who apparently had such a profound impact for good.