[Jerry Shaw]

When I hear the name Bill Gardner, first off, I think of the friend that was taken from us way too early. One that I miss and will always miss. As will so many people. I also think of a good man and a decent one. And as honest as you get. Brutally honest, in fact. And he was a smart man and an innovative one. He had an idea to create a place that real race fans, drivers, race team members, etc. could come to and share their racing experiences and opinions. And, ultimately, get to know one another. And he had the discipline to follow through with his vision and here we are still today, on Bill's creation, Indiana Open Wheel.

This weekend's racing was stellar! The first night you had Brady Bacon jumping out to a big lead and then began the first subplot, as Jake Swanson started tracking him down, ultimately catching him and taking the lead away from him. And just when it looked like Jake was on his way to collecting another trophy at Lincoln Park Speedway, the neon green numbers and lettering of CJ Leary's ride were glowing from within the top 5. He had started in the 6th row! When he passed Bacon and set sail for the leader, Jake's lead looked to be in serious jeopardy. And with 2 to go, CJ would take the lead and win by about a second.

The second night saw Justin Grant jumping out to the lead and having it for a while. Had it taken from him by Brady Bacon. Took it back from Brady. And then lost it to KT Jr., who had started in the 7th row! Those two went at it tooth and nail and just when it looked like KT had sealed the victory, here comes Grant, charging back on the last corner of the last lap, making a dive at the flagstand and he only came up eight one-hundredths of a second from picking KT's pocket, at the checkers.

So the racing was definitely worthy of a race named after Bill. With driver's winning from the 6th row and 7th row, on respective nights. And last night's feature was settled by half of the time it takes to bat an eyelash. The racing surface was primed for a shootout, come feature time, both nights. And the crowds were really big. And among those big crowds were hundreds of race fans talking to their friends, that they have met through their association with Bill Gardner's website, on the huge front porch of Bill's favorite track, Lincoln Park Speedway. And that part may have been even more "stellar" than the light's out racing that took place on both nights.

Jerry