The immensely popular Kokomo Smackdown approaches, as does a personal milestone. I was thinking..why not turn the tables? Instead of receiving congratulations on living this long, why not share just a little of my good fortune? Besides, this year, I get paid on August 24, as I complete 65 laps around life's bullring.

With that in mind, and with my wife's assent, I'm putting up a grand total of $25 for the hard luck racer at Kokomo on the 24th next week. This is often for the racers that don't get the headlines, sponsors, or attention the guys at the front of the pack get. Once in awhile, they need noticing as well.

I will determine who the hard luck racer will be next Wednesday. You are invited to join me and slipping a few dollars to one of the guys who suffers some tough luck. It doesn't have to be the same guy (or gal) that I choose.

In the midst of sadness, we need to remember the good times. Naturally, the converse is true. As we still mourn the passing of BC (still tough to type this), let us also celebrate who the young man was. DB