Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

I never did say how Shawn got hurt this time to end up in the Hospital again and it’s as unique as the man was. He had an accident, Car accident NO, Bicycle accident NO, Boating accident NO, Home accident NO, he crashed his $22,000 Wheelchair.  He broke 5 or 6 ribs, had a collapsed lung and other internal injuries.  After a few days in the Hospital he said he was tired of fighting and he wanted to go home and just fade away, he did but it took that Superman body 10 days to do so.

I never mentioned the people that helped Shawn back in the day when I was around and there were a bunch.  The late Duane Davis was amazing, Tina Kennedy (Railsback), Jill Keegan, Patrick Grant, Rollie Peschon and his family. The wonderful announcer at The PAS, Scott Lee Dalosio was special as was the whole staff there.  There was a special W of O driver as well, Mark Kinser.  To see him with Shawn was the best, they both laughed and Mark showed the greatest patience because a conversation with Shawn had to run through his typing voice machine and that took time.  Mark Kinser is a special human, believe me.  My last big helper was my wife Kim, she took him for spins around the Nationals all the time and they often came back with silly grins and to this day I don’t know all the stories. They were a good pair, similar twisted humors.  I know I have missed many people and I truly apologize but things are a bit tough right at the moment..

If somebody was smart enough, a book could easily be written and turned into a movie which could easily be a big time HIT.  If you’re a good screenwriter and you see this there are lots of people to tell the stories of this amazing human.

Like I said, I will forget people.  SCOTT MARTIN you were the MAN along with Javier this past 10 days, The man upstairs will not forget what you did for Shawn and either will I.....

One last story, Shawn's ride at the Gold Cup in the two seater with Jimmy Sills.  Holy Shit and I don't swear often.  For starters Shawn could not fit into the Drivers Suit so he went in his shorts and a T-Shirt, yep!  They couldn't put his hands where they wanted to so they just tied them with Duct Tape to the steering wheel, Holy Shit again.  On top of that Jimmy was told to scare him!  He wassn't told it was impossible.  He got a ride that was over the cushion as much as underneath it, a true ridie 'em cowboy and again a Holy Shit moment.  On top of this there was Ted Johnson losing his mind at what he was witnessing, he came over to Promoter John Padjen who along with me was laughing so hard he almost popped both of us, the last of many Holy Shit moments during that ride.....  

not sure i know where to start? there`s not much else to say, that mike has`nt already said, i met shawn over 20 years ago, and have had a great relationship with him as well, we shared alot of good times at certain tracks, it all started at knoxville, and continued over the next 20 years, a couple things i can double up on, that mike has already addressed, is vic, scott, and javier, there is a special place for you 3! you have been nothing short of amazing, shawn was lucky, and blessed to have had you 3 in his life, as well as the countless friends that he made over the years, all of us that knew shawn, can say we`re a better person for knowing him, as he could`nt say much, but what he did say, you listened, you laughed, and you cared, something we could all use today, god speed my friend, we`ll all miss you!

an't read anymors-something in my eyes--Thanks for the tribute

MSPN, I know we've recently butted heads on some things but I admire your friendship with Shawn and am very sorry for your loss. I was around HH at that time under a different name but didn't get involved enough then. Great stories and it sounds like you along with a whole group were lucky to experience life and have great memories with him. Very sorry for everyone's loss.

16, hey Dude two guys having a friendly talk in a bar that's how I look at it, appreciate your contributions to this site...

Thanks for the posts Mike.  It truly was/is amazing how many lives  N2DIRT touched over the years.  Myself and my family were blessed to have known him. 

No Dust and Vic will be first in line to greet him.

RIP Shawn.  

Rollie, you have lots of pics can you post them?

MSPN - sorry for your loss and thanks for sharing. It sounds like we -  sprint car racing - lost a great friend - whether you knew him or not.

This thread should be a sticky/must read for those of us - including me - who bicker about pale by comparison things: virus, head's up starts, track prep, posse/outlaw, etc, etc, etc - all meaningless compared to the challenges that Shawn faced every minute of every day with a smile.

I have deja vue  - seems like I know / know of Shawn McDonald but I don't know how. ????

I had the pleasure of meeting Shawn at the Nationals, thanks to Mike. A unique individual who appeared to love life even with all it had threw at him. 
 

RIP Shawn

Great tribute Mike, stay safe up north brother!
Praise McJesus in the playoffs!

Can't remember who Praise plays for, fading memory these days.  How's Davey G. doing?  You guys need to head to Australia this year and catch some Sprint action, I still have lots of connections down there...