ERIE, Pa. -- Joel Watson raced hard for the win Sunday night at Eriez Speedway even while dreading what he knew would happen if he won.
A trip to Victory Lane meant reliving a tragedy at a time when he needed something to smile about — in this case, a $2,000 payday in a sport that often depletes a racer’s bank account with little financial reward in return, and the welcome handshakes, hugs and pats on the back from family and friends that makes one of the most expensive hobbies seem worthwhile.
Barry Anderson, his 27-year-old stepson, died in an automobile accident a week earlier.
Watson, a native of Conneaut, Ohio, who has been one of the region’s best dirt E-Mod racers for years, still was reeling from the loss of a young man in his prime who he called a “real special guy” who brought out the best in everyone around him. Watson even considered skipping Eriez that night.
But Anderson completed boot camp for the United States Army while in his junior year at Edgewood Senior High School in Ashtabula (Ohio) Township. He served two tours of duty in Iraq, and another in the National Guard — all by the age of 27.
So would Anderson have approved not running at Eriez? Not a chance, Watson said.
Later that night, in the emotional post-race interview Watson had hoped to avoid, he credited Anderson for providing the strength to push through the pain and hold off the field.
“He was with me tonight,” Watson said. “There was no way we were going to lose.”
That’s the power of sports we don’t often see. Outside of area dirt-racing circles, few know about Watson and his racing exploits. He doesn’t compete on NASCAR’s top levels, or even alongside racers like Josh Richards and Shane Clanton on the World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series, the national dirt circuit that headlined Sunday’s event at the Greene Township dirt track.
Watson is a regular guy who races because he loves it and because he’s passionate about a sport that’s been in his blood his whole life.
That night, the race meant more to him than the payday. If he had lost, Watson could have hidden the turmoil he feels inside from the outside world, instead of sharing personal, and heart-wrenching, thoughts with everyone in the crowd of almost 4,000 fans.
That may have been the most challenging moment of the evening for Watson. But it was worth the effort.
He won over the crowd too.
Victor Fernandes can be reached at 870-1716 or by email. Follow him on Twitter at Twitter.com/ETNfernandes.
Source: goerie.com
Post a Comment