Etchells

In many ways, this could be one of the most important races of the year, and the significance will have very little to do with elapsed times or top speeds. As my teammate Jim Epler said earlier in the week, there's no doubt that racing this weekend will be different.

Even though sporting events such as ours seemed insignificant a week ago in light of the tragedy, I believe we also play a part in the healing process. Not only do we offer a necessary distraction during a very trying period, but our going back to work is also an ingredient of America's return to normalcy. Like many of our countrymen, we are heeding President Bush's call to show the cowards responsible for last week's attacks that we are standing tall.

That is not to say the atmosphere at our race this weekend will be the same as it was in Indianapolis three weeks ago. It simply cannot be, nor do we want it to be. Even though our focus will be on racing and doing what we can to win the race, the fact remains the World Trade Center lies in rubble, thousands remain missing, and the specter of war hangs over our country.

Just as we have seen at baseball games throughout the week, the NHRA has made plans to honor and help the many whose lives have been affected. In addition to a pre-race ceremony, I can guarantee that every race car you will see at Memphis Motorsports Park over the weekend will have the American flag proudly displayed in a prominent location. Proceeds from all souvenir sales will be donated to the relief effort, and booths will be set up at the track to collect donations.

The bottom line is that we, too, have a job to do. For example, Jim will be debuting a new paint scheme at this event, with Bass Pro Shops taking over the primary sponsor role on his Camaro for the next two races. It's really a neat looking car, with the sides made to look like fish scales, making it the world's largest and fastest bass. There will be a Bass Pro merchandise trailer at the track the next two weeks, selling diecast replicas of the car and t-shirts.

We're excited to have them on board, and want to do the very best we can for them on and off the track.

We also have a responsibility to our fans. After all, we are in the entertainment business, and whatever diversion our race might offer could be a welcome relief after ten days of watching the news from the Northeast. Let me stress, however, that in no way do we want people to forget what has happened - we'd just like to help take their minds off of it for a while. Call it 300 mile per hour therapy.

I think it will be interesting to see how everyone, race teams and fans alike, react to our getting back to the track. If we follow the lead of sporting events held earlier in the week, there will be emotional displays of patriotism throughout, with the winners' celebrations a bit more reserved than normal. Through it all, we will be very mindful of what has happened, keeping the victims, their families, our president and our nation in our thoughts and prayers.

In closing, I think the most important by-product of our race, and any other activity in our country this weekend is the message it will send. This is the United States of America. We are the land of the free and home of the brave. You may have landed one sucker punch, but we are far from down. We, as Americans, will continue to live our lives as we choose, and will do whatever we need to keep it that way.

Have a safe weekend and we'll see you again next week.