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Gordon Fulfills Longtime Dream for Richmond Man
A year an a half ago Tina from the Jeff
Gordon Newsletter forwarded me an email she received from one
of her subscribers. Tom had emailed Tina asking how he could fulfill a
dream and a bet with a now deceased friend. After reading Tom's
story, I felt compelled to help, and started immediately making plans
to meet Tom at Richmond for the Sept. 1999 night race at
Richmond. It was difficult to make the plans as Tom is in an
electric scooter and I was advised the only way to take him in
required a large up and down set of concrete steps going under the
track into the pit/garage area. But I felt we could carry him
and the chair in. I was promised passes for that event and they sadly
fell through, then at the last minute other passes came in and were
promised, so we made all the plans to meet Tom. We Made the trip from
Tenn. to Richmond Virginia, only to receive a call that Saturday
morning that the passes again fell through. I felt horrible having to
tell Tom we were not going to be able to fulfill his 5 year dream.
I had made a promise to myself that I would make plans for the 2000
season and get him in to get Jeff Gordon to sign his wheelchair.
I do not like to ask for anything from drivers, teams or drivers wife's,
but Tom's plight was now my plight as well. I have been in the pits/garage
many times, but usually because a team needed pictures or web work and
they would ask me to attend for that reason. I am so VERY fortunate to
have dear friends that can help if I need. Well one person in particular,
who I feel is one of the most caring and understanding woman I have
the pleasure of knowing is Jerry Nadeau's wife, Jada. I
explained the situation to her and she told me that NO MATTER What she
would get us and Tom into Richmond on Sept. 10th, 2000 to get Toms
dream fulfilled. This was a hard thing for Jada to do as well,
as Sept. 10th is also Jerry's birthday and he, understandably, uses
his allotment of passes for his family to attend. Jada and
Hendricks Motorsports came through!
| I was told that we could take Tom
in via the
tunnel where the haulers and such go in, that took a huge load
of our minds, electric scooters can be VERY heavy! We
emailed back and forth with Tom and the final plans was to
meet at the NASCAR Registration trailer at 1:00PM Saturday,
Sept. 10th 2000. |
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It is a beautiful day, PERFECT for a race! Dave
and I got to the registration trailer at 1:00 and meet up with
a VERY excited, and a little nervous Tom and his
daughter! I must say the NASCAR Official working outside
the registration trailer went above and beyond the call of
duty. He also was absorbed in Tom's story and happy to
help get everything set up so we could be on our way. He
took all of Toms info and paper work and went into the trailer
and got him all registered so Tom didn't have to do a
thing! Dave and I got our credentials and off we went
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Tom zipped through that tunnel, like the #24 Monte Carlo going for
a win! We caught up with him at the other side and entered the
pit/garage area. This alone was a thrill for Tom. He
looked around at EVERYTHING. The teams were all (as always) hard at
work. Drivers were walking around, and Jeremy Mayfield made a VERY
obvious, stop to shake Toms hand. I wish EVERY fan could have
the opportunity to see the teams and drivers on this type of
scale. It would clear up so many rumors. These drivers and
team members are all great human beings and take anytime they can to
make a fans day. I have NEVER asked a driver for an autograph,
they have much more important things to do while working in the
pits. But some, if time allows will simply stop and give what
they can when they can. Jeremy just reminded me how Great these guys
are. He was just passing by and stopped out of the kindness of
his heart!
Tom showed us a picture he had brought of Harry, He wanted Harry to
be there with him!
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We headed over to Jerry's hauler first, we had
hoped to see him or Jada and thank them for this
opportunity. They were not around, but I was informed that
Jerry was in his garage so we headed over there.
Jerry was there, but was obviously busy, so we did not bother
him. |
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Jeff Gordon's garage was just a few doors down and
Jeff also was in his garage, also obviously VERY busy, as happy
hour was JUST about to begin. I explained to one of the 24
crew that we were there for Jeff's autograph, he went and told
Jeff, Immediately Jeff came out .... Tom smile got even bigger
(I did not think that was possible!) Jeff said his hellos to us
and then shook Toms hand and talked to him for a while, then he
signed his Scooter and spoke with him a little more, he
explained he had to get ready for happy hour, said his good byes
and was back to work. |
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That 10 minutes not only changed Toms life, but
mine and Dave's as well. Jeff really was concerned and
involved, he listened to every word, Tom said, and compassionately
held his hand. Jeff Gordon has always been on of my favorites,
not just because he can race a car, but because of the man he
is. |
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As Jeff walked away I leaned down to talk to Tom, and he very
emotionally (tears from all of us!) thanked us, I in turn thanked him,
Dave and I are very proud that we could be part such a beautiful
experience! It is a day we will NEVER forget!
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We walked around the pit area with Tom for awhile
then we wanted to walk with him back to where he was sitting in
the stands. He stopped people all along the way to tell
his story and show his autograph. Tom made MANY people
smile that day! |
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Jeff Gordon you made A LOT of people understand the
man you really are God Bless you, and Tom We love ya friend!
MUCH More from Richmond ....
This was Tom's initial email, that got this all started ... ((this was
for you Harry!))
Toms Heartwarming
story from Richmond!
Toms Side of
Saturday's Events .... This is what Tom had to say after
getting his autograph!
The second reason we headed up to Richmond was FRIENDS! Many of them,
and here is the info on that ...... The
Get Together from Richmond!
This links has EVERY Picture taken through out the weekend.... Click
on images for larger version! Images
from Richmond
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