The founder, promoter, and racer of the Carolina Sprint Tour died Saturday in Hickory, NC in a motorcycle accident. He was on his way from prom pictures with his adopted daughter back to his shop to prep for RaceSaver races at Carolina Speedway and Harris Speedway this coming weekend. I hope I'm right in what I'm saying.
He loved sprint car racing so much. He put so much of his life into helping build sprint car racing in the Carolinas. He's the reason so many blue collar racers got to experience the greatness of sprint car racing on a competitive scale. Because of him, the series he built, the dedication he showed, and the fairness he displayed night in and out, people like me were able to live out our greatest dreams of wing dancing and hugging our parents in front of packed grandstands.
I'm going to miss him a lot. He was the perfect friend. He was everything we needed in sprint car racing.
I'll end with something not funny, but kinda funny.
I can't tell you how many races I was in where I knew Vardell was right behind me, and I was pretty close to the outside wall. I was begging Vardell in my mind, "Please dont do it. Please don't do it!" Then Id see a red flag come out, and automatically knew it was Vardell trying to pass me on the outside. After the race, he'd say he almost had me, and in the back of my mind Id be thinking what the hell you talking about. You weren't even close dude.
Sean... you are one of my greatest friends. You are the greatest friend to so many. I'm going to miss you a lot. The sprint car world is going to miss you a lot. You were one of the hardest working men I've ever met in my life. I hope once God lets you through the gates, you'll finally take a day off and enjoy some time off.
You deserve it man.
Brandon McLain
United Sprint Car Series Driver
2014 Season
National Rookie of the Year!
National Points - 8th
Southern Points - 3rd
Asphalt Points - 3rd
18 Races, 3 Top 5's, 14 Top 10's
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