The race itself does not always produce the most vivid memory

Growing up in Attica we lived close to a little dirt race track. Quarter midgets raced each week at the fairgrounds location where sprint cars provide the action these days. When those 1950's race cars fired up, it brought a smile to a little boy's face. I became a race fan at a young age and remain one today.Race fans agree that the Sunday before Memorial Day is the greatest day in racing. The Indy 500 begins shortly after noon and is followed by Nascar's longest race, the Coca Cola 600 from Charlotte. For many years now I have been situated in front of the television for several hours of racing action on that special day.The outcome of either race is not always the biggest takeaway from the day however. Let me explain.Beginning in the 1980's and continuing every year for over a decade, I attended the Indianapolis 500. I was there for Danny Sullivan's spin and win in 1985. I was also present for the closest finish in Indy 500 history in 1992 when Al Unser, Jr. won by .043 seconds. Now that race is the second closest finish as this past Sunday's thriller, won by Felix Rosenqvist over David Malukas, was decided by .023 seconds.When I think back to the 1992 race, I remember not being excited with the finish of the race. Why not? Well, I went to the race each year with 10 other guys. We each threw in three bucks and got to randomly pick a like number of drivers from a hat. If you had the race winner you got $17. If you had the driver who came in last you got the other $16.That year I had the pole sitter Roberto Guerrero. I also had the last car to qualify – one Scott Goodyear. I thought my chances of winning all the money was pretty good. The pole sitter had a good chance of winning – correct? The last in might very well be the first one out too – or so I thought.The day was cold and during the parade laps Guerrero spun out, backing his car into the wall. His day was over before it started. At least I would win $16. When Unser crossed the line less than a car length ahead of the second place finisher, I was crushed. That second place car was piloted by Scott Goodyear! While everyone else was talking about the close race, I was bemoaning the fact that I missed out on a lot of money!When people ask me what it's like to go to the Indy 500, my response is always the same. The 20 minutes leading up to the start of the race is incredible. Both Indy car and Nascar do a great job of honoring our military during the race weekend. At Indy the playing of Taps is so solemn as everyone is likely to have a family member or at least an acquaintance that served. That is followed by the invocation, the playing of the National Anthem and the singing of Back Home Again in Indiana by Jim Nabors. Everyone becomes an honorary Hoosier on race day.Then the command is given to start the engines… if that 20 minutes does not give you goose bumps, you are not a true race fan! Though the 2026 race was the closest in history, the pre-race festivities would still be my most treasured memory.In Charlotte the race did not reach its full 600 miles. Weather would shorten it though not by much. A two tire strategy on the last pit stop for Daniel Suarez put him in the winner's circle.One of the really cool things Nascar does at this race happens at the midpoint. After 300 miles the cars are brought on to pit road and the engines are shut off. A large flag representing Gold Star families is carried by fans to the grass in front of the start finish line. With crew members holding American flags while standing on the pit wall, Nascar recognizes those who made the ultimate sacrifice for us to enjoy the freedoms we have in this country today.As moving as this moment was, the 2026 Coca Cola 600 topped it before the race even began. All fans of motor sports were shocked to learn of the death of Kyle Busch just three days earlier. Bacterial pneumonia that turned into sepsis was the cause and the racing world was saddened.Rowdy was a polarizing figure in many ways as he was easy to hate in part because he was so successful. In later years he struggled and people hoped for better things for Kyle on the track. That same scenario happened for Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson. Like him or not, no one can minimize how good Kyle was on the track and many began to realize how nice he was off the track. Everyone wished the news was not true.Before the race began the entire Busch family came to the edge of pit road. With drivers, crew members, racing families and friends behind the group, Nascar gave him a tribute that left many in tears. I have to admit that watching it on TV made my eyes water. Kyle's parents were there as was his brother Kurt a former Nascar Cup star himself.I was a bit surprised that Kyle's wife Samantha and children Brexton and Lennix were on hand as well. It was just three days since Kyle's passing. There were so many things that got my attention, but one overshadowed all the others for me.At the tender age of 11, Brexton seemed to be comforting his mother as they stood with arms around each other. He rubbed her arm as if to say things would be all right. Brexton became a man that night in my opinion – a thing that should not have to take place at such a young age.The racing was good as always, but that picture of Samantha and Brexton standing there with emotions bared, will be my most vivid memory from the 2026 greatest day in racing.