I too was there on that chilly night.
What a fine young man and talent that was taken from us way too soon. His career in Nascar was on the upswing and who knows what might have been.
I recall the Hoffman car being damaged earlier in the evening (turn two shunt?) and then thinking later that if they had not been able to repair the car and get him back out there, he may still be with us today.
He was a real racer that had no fear and I still miss seeing him to this day.