This is the Statt Mann, Baby. It’s time to Scatt a Little Bit…

I was surprised at becoming emotionally involved with the Nationwide race at Mid-Ohio Saturday afternoon.

Part of the sponsor branding went to Children’s Hospital in nearby Columbus, Ohio. I was in that hospital a couple times growing up.

But an historic name attached to the facility was Dr. Earl Sherard, my pediatrician and the father of a man who’s still a family friend. Dr. Sherard had a 356 Porsche that he drove expertly. We used to love watching him screech away from the house.

His son and I raced each other growing up. Neither one of us was clear on the danger we posed to ourselves and others.

But Dr. Sherard was a legendary name in pediatrics. He was a pioneer in the fields of pediatrics and epilepsy.

A network TV movie remembered the new ground he broke in epileptic research and treatment. There’s a chair named in his honor at the hospital.

He was a brilliant man; a Tuskegee Airman. And something as inane as a NASCAR race triggered the memories.

Peace.