While watching today's Daytona 500 I'm reminded of Robbie Stanley - probably because Jeff Gordon is doing so well as a commentator.
I'm only the most casual of racing fans, open wheel or otherwise. But I can state, unequivocally, that Robbie Stanley was the greatest driver I ever watched.

My interest in racing began as a stringer for the Winchester News-Gazette in the late 1980's. Mostly I covered high school basketball, but my occasional Winchester Speedway assignment forced me to be prepared. So, along with a Speed Sport News subscription, I determined to visit short tracks at every opportunity.

I can't remember the date, but on a warm summer evening I drove with my stepfather from his home in Clermont down to Paragon. The banked dirt track competitors were dominated by Robbie Stanley. Perhaps it's hyperbole, but I'm certain that Robbie lapped the field in a ten-lap heat race, twice. Twice in ten laps!

His lines were immaculate. His passes were planned like a veteran many years his senior. Quite obviously, he and his car were one.

The second Robbie Stanley memory I have was the spring sprint race at Winchester in (I think) 1991. He battled Steve Butler to win the feature. Robbie worked that car, inside, then outside, and upset Butler. I'm pretty certain Gordon was in the race field, but it was Robbie's battle with Butler that comes to mind.

The sad evening in May, 1994, I was going to drive to that race. But it was a week night and rain threatened, so I stayed home. I'm glad I did, for I would not have wanted to be there.

It's been a number of years since the last post in this string. But I've enjoyed typing a short remembrance. Our heros are never forgotten.