Wednesday morning I was talking to Shane and he said he hadn't heard anything lately from Howie. I can tell you many hoped Howie would come out of this like his driving-
Going in would be "damn the torpedoes"
coming out, well , sometimes he'd be on foot, but Howie always came out.
Yesterday morning I get up and find Howie has passed away. First thing I wanted to do was stop everything, go into my files and put together a fitting tribute for him. I spent all day at work thinking and planning what I'd do when I got home. Since the computer is locked for "in house" usage only, and I have to build tires or help with little time to spare, I had to wait until I got home. Then I saw all the great stories coming out. So, the best I can do is go back to that kid I was in the early 80's , when I was reading about "Sewell and Ewell" in the papers, and would marvel over the USAC sticker Howie had on the side panel of his Dirt Champ car.
When I did get to see Howie, he always had a crowd around him, and was always upbeat , and well, animated.
Oh yeah, he also seemed "Ten Feet Tall". So I wrote this for Howie
Into the sun
against the wall
nerves of steel
ten feet tall
sparks for dreams
you bring our way
while burning rings
into the clay
They drive all night just to watch you go around there
watch you brave the risk and risk the fall
on borrowed time we all spend it slowly
and watch you blaze the trail for us all
Hey Legend RUN
Ten Feet Tall
spark our dreams
against the wall
If you fail
you don't let down
we'll hold your name
on solid ground.
for Howie......................Rest in peace Sir, you were a bigger deal than you ever knew. Thank you for the humor and the stories you made, on and off the record.
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