Note from Kelley: Hondo was voted Most Popular Driver in the hobby and pro stock divisions 6 of the 9 years that he raced, including the year we lost him. This should have been read on his behalf on the Sunday of McDonalds Weekend at Fonda Speedway, but we are including it here instead. Thank you for all the years of friendship and support. Hondo won the award, but it was you the fans, that gave him that honor. September 25, 2005 Program Dynamics Most Popular Driver - Pro Stock Division Hondo Carpenter. Hondo was a great racer, but foremost he was a great friend. From his beginning years in the street stocks, where he was affectionately known as "Turn Two Hondo" for looping the car in two, to his rise through the pro stock field, finally knotching his first win in that division in 2003. He backed that win up with his second the next year. He was so proud of the two races he had won so far this year and was optimistic about the rest of the season. We always said that we didn't race for points. We were here to win races and let the points fall where they may, but he was always in the mix there too, finishing third last year. We joked with him that it was a good thing he didn't end up second last year because that left so little room for improvement, whereas third left him a little cushion. Anyone who knew him knew how much the fans meant to him. He always regarded this honor as a great achievement, because it showed he was doing his job and putting on a terrific show for his fans. This year, we decided to kick it up a notch. We decided to give a little more back to our fans and with that came the advent of the beads. What started out as a lark took on a life of its own. When we distributed the remainder of the 5,000 beads on July 9th, it was heartwarming to see them throughout the crowd. To me, these are a symbol of Hondo now. They symbolize fun and life and to me, those things describe Hondo. We all have wonderful, precious memories of Hondo and I hope that as we go into the future, gradually the sadness will subside and we will be left with only smiles when we think of him. He is always here with us. A presence as powerful as his won't vanish that easily. Thank you again for voting Hondo your most popular pro stock driver for the fifth time. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FOR MY FRIEND HONDO........... - by Rob Hayes I sit here in a room of darkness surrounded by little lights of technology spinning complacently lulled by the sadness of a loss. It is the early hour of 12:01AM and the news has just been gently broken to me by one of my best friends in life, that yet another terrible tragedy has taken the life of a popular Fonda Speedway driver. There are no words, there are no emotions, and there are no actions that can explain the pain delivered with the words “Hondo has died.” I ask this, where do we turn for answers, who do we look to for strength, and who can help us all endure loosing another local racing Icon. Racing has lost a personality, Fonda has lost a driver, the racing community has lost a hero, and I have lost a friend. There are no words that can make the pain of such a terrible and tragic loss subside, however there is a thought that can help push the pain aside for a moment in time until we one day meet again with our hero’s. That thought is simple, the thought of the Celtic Tree Of Life. The Celtic Tree Of Life is a symbol of an individual who takes sustenance from their life and reaches for the heavens in the remarkable journey of life towards the evolution of infinity. The Celtic Tree Of Life symbolizes that person’s spiritual energy, wisdom, and impact and combines them to represent the fruitfulness of that person’s life, which invokes spiritual growth, love, and rebirth to those who new him. This simply means that a person never truly leaves us; they simply grow around us in other ways. Hondo Carpenter will certainly grow first with his son Christopher who in return has a father that touched so many lives without even knowing. Chris will of course be saddened with the pain of his loss, but need not forget Christopher your father will always grow inside your heart, your memories, and your smile. In those places Chris, he will always be there for you watching you grow into the man he was. Hondo will grow with every memory his family shares. Every smile brought about by a story of Hondo grows the life legacy of the people’s champion. To his family; stepson Jason; his mother and father Gertrude and John; brothers Jack, Malcolm, Edgar, Tim, Eric, and cousins, nieces, and nephews Hondo Carpenter grows and lives on in the stories you share about his celebrated life from childhood to adulthood. Perhaps the most important way Hondo will grow larger than life in due time, is through the people he personally told me he considered family, Bob James, Kelly Keefe, & Kaitlyn. Anytime Hondo needed the support and love of a close personal friend, he turned to Bob. The 2 seemed almost inseparable and in return their friendship grew into a solid race team. To Bob I can only hope that you lead the charge to keep Hondo’s memory alive and I know you have a strong woman like Kelly to be your crutch during this time of sorrow. Kelly Keefe is a strong soul and has quickly grown on me, as did she on Hondo. Hondo would have no part of anyone saying anything negative about Kelly, nor would he let anything ruin the innocence of Kaitlyn. From the deepest part of my heart, I feel for you all, yet I struggle to sooth. For myself personally, I have grown to know Hondo Carpenter as a racecar driver, a person, and a friend. Hondo would joke with me on a regular basis, because after all to get along you need to be a little like the person you know. Hondo would bust on me about being a lightweight and buy me a round at the Winner’s Circle, to which I would greatly accept and put that drink down and offer up the next. With a stunned look on his face, I’ll never forget the time he said to me “how the hell am I going to drink more than you, you got me by 200 pounds.” Yes sir, that brought a smile to my face and his, but don’t let that fool you Hondo wasn’t no slouch. My fondest memories were as of late as Hondo supported me in any way, shape, or form on the radio, in my articles, or what I tried to accomplish in 2005. Hondo said to me just this past Sunday “Hazer, you keep on being successful, because you did nothing wrong, remember that.” It was then I knew that Hondo valued my friendship as did I his. I stood shocked at the passing of Steve Bidwell, felt terrible sorrow for Skip Pabis, my eyes filled with tears almost immediately when I learned of the passing of Bob VanAernam, and now finally I cried when we lost Hondo. I have tried my best to say whatever I could to help everyone who knew Hondo cope with the loss. Finally I will leave you all with this; there is a miracle called friendship that grows in your heart but nobody knows where it gets it’s start, but the happiness that it grows gives friends a special lift and one day everyone will realize that friendship is life’s most precious gift. Good Journey Hondo and we’ll meet up again one day my brother. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "D" - Written Wednesday, July 6, 2005 at 11:17 PM A Friend to Be Remembered This is my tribute to a racer, his car and his drive, Which emerged from a dream, and a will to survive. Dedication and desire for racing, the dirt and the speed, Love of family and support from friends, was all he needed to succeed. So diligent in his plan, willing to listen and learn, But always extended his hand, when it was someone else’s turn. His Smile, his Laugh, and such exhilaration, Knowing why he was a favorite, needs no explanation. Ironically, he was always “in control” and incredibly tame, “Horrible” was just a nickname, a part of the racing game. Controversy surrounded him, no matter where he went, But being the “showman”, he overshadowed any repent. From the beginning with “AL” and “Taz”, to every Car Show, He was quite the entertainer, but also knew when to lay low. The excitement he generated, will be sadly missed, His absence will, definitely, not be easily dismissed. Taken so quickly, in the middle of a winning season, Only GOD will explain, and then he will know the reason. With the loss of Skip, Steve, and Bob Sr., in the same year, We can only imagine, will they be discussing now what gear? As bitter-sweet friends, he helped me deal with my previous tears, Soon not to be forgotten, those memories of four short years. “D” My Thoughts and Prayers go out to his son, Chris, his family, and Bob, Kelley and Kaitlyn and his crew. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “I Wonder Why" - By Kaitlyn Keefe I wonder why they say he needed you more up there, When I know I need you more down here. I miss those fun, Snapple filled nights, And those nights with fights with other men, Who knew you were better than them. You tried and tried to get everything right, But each night something didn’t feel quite right. You worked on the car day to night, So you could prove the doubtful men, That you could conquer them. And when you did prove them wrong, They would scream and fight all night long. Cause you were right and they were wrong, Right that you could beat them again and again. You’re probably in heaven racing with them. Them being the best of the best, Earnhardt, Lazarro, Bidwell, VanAernam, and Pabis, All waiting for your arrival, To let you do what you do best. The adrenaline rush that we knew you felt, And the natural high that had been dealt. You will be missed day after day and night after night, But now you don’t have to put up a fight, Cause now you’re in a better place, Where you can still race. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Man in the Blue Jeans and Baseball Hat The Hondo we knew wasn't in the limelight, nor did he bring any racing fans. Instead, he was behind the scenes with a camera in his hands. Standing in the tower, he offered his advice and did anything asked of him, never having to ask him twice. When races were over, it was time to chat. A few of us and the man in his blue jeans and baseball hat. Throughout our conversations he became a friend and we wish out time together didn't have to end. Because there was more of him that we'll never get the chance to know. For some reason, the angels told him it was time to go. We'll never be able to consider him "replaced" because in our hearts and our tower, he'll always have a place. Tina Hayes Glen Ridge Motorsports Park 2005