That night began the most horrible 12 hours of my life. Images of that night are indelibly burned into my memory and try as I might I cannot rid myself of them. Rich was a friend and a mentor. He and I would talk several times a week about the sprint car and what we could do to improve our performance, no matter how well it went at the last race.

I was the only Hoffman in attendance as my grandfather (Gus) and father (Richard) and uncle (Tom) stayed at home with my grandmother (the woman who raised me) since she was dying of cancer.

After the accident my (now) wife, my best friend and I raced towards the hospital that they were transporting Rich to only to get word via cell phone from my father that they announced on ESPN that he had not made it. We drove 2 hours home in alternating silence and prayer and I was awakened at 6:30 a.m. to go to my grandmother's room as she was breathing her last breath.

Every year I get a little down at this time remembering what we lost on that fateful night. I see a lot of Rich’s characteristics in Tony Stewart and Kyle Busch. Like him or not, Rich was a true competitor and champion.

RIP my friend, you taught me much and I will never forget you..

Rob Hoffman