I am very sorry to pass along the news that Joseph Ott passed away in Phoenix yesterday. I am sure that many of you met him at the track when he made his yearly trips to the Midwest. We have lost one of the really good ones. My sincere condolences go out to his wife and family.
Had the pleasure of camping next to Joe a couple years back at the Smackdown. Nearly all his stories started with, "hey, bro..." and had me intently listening. He was in good spirits despite fighting cancer.
Rest easy Joe. I'm glad to have known you. Even for a short while.
Thoughts and prayers to Joe's family and friends through this time.
Joe was good friends with my crew guy A.J. We were fortunate enough to have Joe come hang out with us at our trailer for the night at Casa Grande in October. It was good to see him in such good spirits and still enjoying sprint car races.
This is terrible news!! Another friend taken by that terrible disease cancer. I'm thankful to IOW and Frank Daigh for giving me the chance to meet and get to know Joe Ott. He was a great race fan and an even better man. I remember the first time met him, this guy from Arizona and right after hearing his first sentence, I remember saying to him, "Man, you're not from Arizona, you're from Long Island." He said, "It's that obvious, huh?"
I'll certainly miss him. Especially when Sprint Week and Smackdown roll around every year. I pray for strength for Lucy and the rest of the family.
Jerry
A man is about as big as the things that make him angry.
Susan St. Catherine