I'll never forget my first thought when I first saw Mike Head: "He looks more like a professional wrestler than a race car driver."

But the Ellenwood, Ga., driver was indeed 100 percent racer, one of the Southeast's best Dirt Late Model competitors for nearly two decades. | Slideshow

He was a mountain of a man. When I shook his hand, it felt like his wrapped around mine twice. He looked intimidating, but he was one of the kindest, gentlest people I've known.

Early in his racing career, which MORE

Often I'm asked the question: Don’t you ever get tired of going to races? And my answer is always the same: No, no I don’t.

I have always struggled to find the words to describe why I am this way or the reasons why I can never get enough.

My commitment to working in racing has likely cost me many things in life. I have missed out on other experiences and opportunities. I have been obligated to events which led to missing family functions. And it has also been a catalyst to losing a MORE

I've told this story before in this space. In fact, I spoke of it in my very first entry here. But in case you missed it, here is an excerpt.

I was probably 8 years old when I went to my first NDRA race in South Carolina. My dad bought me a program from a nice young lady who, judging by her attire, must have come straight to the track from her swimming lessons.

Then I distinctly remembered “hot laps” from that night. There was lots of dirt flying and a lot of noise. And I saw the car with Fred MORE