I’ve gotten some large feedback on a number of things I put on this web site and even more volleys from what I (we) say on our weekly national radio show. But, oddly enough, for me, this years biggest cage rattler was my column, The Show Must go On…Later.

Its been three months since Funny Car driver Eric Medlen passed away. His Mustang crashed head-on into a concrete barrier after it blew a tire on a test run. Four days later, he passed after being taken off life support.

The Show Must Go On…Later is about Eric and manning up to the loss of life. Manning up and taking the road less traveled and saying, “stop…I want to think about this.” Think about the life lost and to stay away from the motorsports bravado, "We’re racers, it’s what we do and it’s what Eric would want us to do."

The latest to take the side of the Sarge is Lauren Byrne. Lauren and many others have dropped by to say they feel the same way. Bigger even, not one email to say they don’t.

Here’s to our Mountain Rocks Lauren.

From: Lauren Byrne
To: Kenny Sargent
Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2007 4:25 PM
Subject: Article on moving on…

Hey Kenny,

I read through your article, "The Show Must Go On…Later" and I have to say… I agree. Everything you said was exactly how I was and have been feeling. Eric Medlen was not only a great racer, but a great man. His loss was crushing to me.

I debated whether or not to watch the race in Houston. To me, it didn't feel right to just keep going so soon after it all happened. Yes, everyone knows Eric loved racing, but that's just it. He won't be racing. We're the ones putting the words in his mouth that moving on is what "he would have wanted us to do". Are we sure? I know I wasn't.

I did watch, and I was disappointed by most of it. I saw Peggy Llewellyn's bike with the Eric tribute on it and when they asked her about it, her response could be summed up with, "Well, I didn't really know him. It was all this guy's idea to put it on". I sat there thinking she couldn't have at least faked grief? Pretended to be upset? Similar situations struck me throughout the weekend. What I would have loved was to see empty pits, a long quiet track, and people taking time off, actually being sad that Eric would never be here again. Since everyone else is doing it, I'm going to sit my fat ass right on that bandwagon: that's what Eric would have wanted.

I admit I still haven't moved on. Earlier this year, I drove out from Massachusetts to the Kentucky Derby and detoured up to Brownsburg to visit our fallen friend. I was greeted by two other NHRA fans doing the exact same thing. After a while they left but I lingered and spent a good chunk of time just sitting on the grass, listening, observing, crying. I talked to Eric. I just sat and spent time reflecting. Nothing felt more therapeutic than that. Even now, I will still tear up thinking that we will never see than handsome grin or hear that amazing wit anymore. It's a terrible loss and it's even more terrible not to give it proper mourning.

Can I put my mountain rocks next to yours in that medicine cabinet? We can get back to them when we are damn good and ready, dust be damned.

Regards,
Lauren

Lauren, our rocks are one.

That's what we Freakin' think.

You?

Shoot me an email @ kennys@speedfreaks.tv or give me a holler at the office 818-995-9159.

Cover Photo of Robot-Gore from Honzo.