*** Note: I was asked by someone to post my opening remarks at the Ceremony in Mooresville on October 17th in which we inducted Fifteen new members into our Hall of Fame. Without the "ad libs" which I do not recall, the text of the opening statement follows:

We are here today to induct class number two into The Racers Reunion Memory Lane Hall of Fame.

I am The Legend. For the next little bit, I will be your host for this blip in the time continium where we recognize and honor those individuals who held the steering wheel of race cars with skinned knucles and grease under their fingernails so today's stars can have the manicured nails necessary for television commercials. Those who often towed all night with a race car on an open trailer to make the next race at a short track somewhere so today's stars can fly in to suit up and drive the car. Some of the honorees today caught a couple hours sleep in the race car or a dingy garage somewhere so today's stars can relax in their million dollar motor homes. These individuals, together with the group inducted in our first Hall of Fame Ceremony last year, and those to be inducted in years to come, built what are today the sparkling speedways which host the mega races with television coverage 24/7. The individuals are the foundation of what is the world's most popular form of motorsports and is second only to the NFL as America's favorite sport.

Before I proceed, please allow me to clarify my title as "The Legend". For those of you who have heard the axiom that imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, I would point out that my profile page on Racers Reunion.com confirms that I was wearing cowboy hats to races in the early sixties. I wore sunglasses to the races in the late fifties. I have been wearing western boots since I was 8 years old. Check out my profile page on Racers Reunion.com, seriously. We all know there is a famous race driver who has capitalized on my fashion statement but he and I have an understanding. He and I are friends, and he is a fan. He has gotten my autographs many, many times over the years. The fact that the autographs were on checks and credit card receipts for purchases of his souveniers is neither here nor there!!!!!.

It is my honor to be known as The Legend and, as such, a recognizeable face of Racers Reunion. I wear the title with pride, as well as with humility for such a tremendous honor it represents. I am provided an opportunity to spread the word that stock car racing has a rich and colorful history that MUST be preserved, and heroes and heroines who must NEVER be forgotten. We are gathered here today for just that purpose.

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NOTE: That represents the opening remarks to a wonderful, funny, and touching ceremony. Walking up to accept their award and have their picture made were some of the heroes of this sport of stock car racing who still have many, many fans as was evidenced by the standing room only crowd assembled there on Sunday afternoon. Listening to what the inductees had to say reinforces the fact that we have a history worth preserving and honoring.

Nothing in my remarks is to be construed as disparaging to the current drivers because they, too, are heroes to a new generation of race fans and they give their all on the tracks as well. The comparisions made in beginning are for the purpose of showing the guys who are racing now owe at least a debt of gratitude to those who went before them. There are many drivers today who have the talent and abilities and nothing in these opening remarks was intended to minimize the current driver's contributions to a continuing legacy. David Ragan was there at our ceremony to induct Tiger Tom Pistone and did an excellent job handling that assignment. David is an example of a young man who realizes it took much effort and sacrifice for racing to become what it has and we are very pleased he took part.

Tim