[TeamCGR]

It is hard to find anyone that has never driven a race car, worked on a race car, had a family member race, or witnessed an event of competing racecars that understands WHY we do it. Why would we put ourselves in harms way; why we would sacrifice like we sacrifice to try and go just a little faster than the other person to cross the finish line before someone else. A line that means nothing until after you’ve crossed it for the 25th, 30th, 50th or even 200th time.

For those of that have, do, will or witnessed a racing event; we understand. We know and completely understand the sacrifice, expense and more importantly the risk involved of being that first driver or team to cross that line first. It is an experience only those that know it well will ever understand and for those doubters that continuously question it; we understand.

There are questions in today’s world as to whether someone was born a certain way or was made into something or has made a choice to become something. Of all lifestyles, careers or directions we take, it seems as though a racer is one of those that is born. Somehow, someway they find their way into the seat of a racecar. Regardless of what age, sex, size, economic background, race, or religion; at some point a person that finds the need to go faster than someone else finds their way to a local track. For those that have the desire to witness such events or participate to help their family or friend go faster, they too become a part of this very exclusive fraternity.

This exclusive fraternity becomes a way of life. You meet people that become friends or foes of for life. However the one thing that remains constant is the very fraternity that draws us together each and every weekend somewhere in this world. As so many of us know; even if we compete against another driver or team each week, there is a mutual respect that goes along with each race since that other driver or team is a member of their own racing family. Like any family, we can challenge each other frequently but let someone else challenge or harm a member of our family and you get us all.

I could literally feel the emotion of every person I ever met in racing today while we all awaited word on the condition of Dan Weldon. I could feel the concern of those at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, just like everyone else. I could feel the emotion as if a member of my family was in danger and needed my help. For the first time in months we were blessed to have our entire family together. Jill, Grant, Coleman and I were glued to the tv in hopes of good news to be shared that a member of the Racing Family was going to be ok. A year ago we felt the same way when we were waiting to hear about Shane’s condition. Time dragged on, minutes like hours. Today’s news took us to an emotional level just like when we heard about Jesse; the realization we had lost a family member.

I don’t care who you are, what level you race, who you root for or who you are related to in racing; when a tragedy like this occurs, we all feel it and we all feel the loss for those involved. Our sport can take you to the highest of highs with emotional highs that can get you through just about anything. But today we also realize that the sport we love can bring us to the lowest of lows. The Racing Fraternity has lost a member of our family today and we know that we are not alone in feeling the emotion that goes along with it. Our deepest condolences extend to the Weldon Family, his wife and two small children. Our prayers are that they can find solace in knowing that Dan Weldon was a member of this very exclusive group and that his superior talents set the bar very high for his competitors and created a legacy of greatness that will last for generations to come.

Why do we do it? Because that’s what we do. Our thoughts, prayers and condolences are with the Weldon Family.

The Gulick’s.