[kdobson]

Good for USAC for allowing it, but Great for Robert for being agreeable to doing this in the first place. I spent some time visiting with Robert when he raced with us at Jacksonville a few weeks ago and at that time it seemed that he was questioning his future involvement in the sport. I recall him saying "I might just sell it all." Oh, please NO! The sport needs Robert Ballou and others like him.

It might not need 'over-the-top, say anything and everything that comes to mind' kind of Robert, but it needs characters like him who can draw attention to the sport and events even when the motors are silent. I'm sure through this Robert has reflected and had others counsel him into having a better idea of where the bright lines might be. And his willingness to step back into the arena from which he was so publicly removed - even in a different capacity - speaks volumes for Robert's love of the sport and appreciation for some of the finer things it offers including Dave Darland... and maybe even a sanctioning body he's found himself sideways with recently.

While I'm sure most of the 'thanks' we will see here will be directed toward USAC for making an exception, I want to give a huge THANKS to Robert Ballou for even considering the idea and in a way offering an olive branch by putting the People's Champ in a top quality ride for the West Coast fans to enjoy. Big gesture on your part that isn't going unnoticed.