Today I’m faced with the loss of another great friend to the racing community. Though I considered Jack Starrette a friend, today’s loss has hit much closer to home.

I received the call a little after 10 am. It was Talladega Short Track general manager Dennis Anton. I answered and he said “Hey,” and then a long pause. “Perry passed away this morning.”

His voice cracked as he struggled to get those horrible words out. I sat there in silence, dumbfounded. “What?” is all I could MORE