I first met Paul many years ago during an SCCA race at Mid-Ohio. He was just another racer. Coming in the back door at registration so that his presence did not cause a commotion and slow things down. That was him. Always in the spotlight, but not wanting to be the spotlight. When word leaked out several months ago that his condition was grave there was nothing from his camp. The next thing you knew the story was being retracted. Only most of us knew that it was true. Time had come for Paul to go. He would do it his way.
About a month ago Paul rented Lime Rock Park in Conn. He wanted to take his race car out for some laps. He ran the GT-1 class Corvette the way he always had. Flat out. This lead some to speculate that maybe things were not as bad as had been reported. We knew better. Paul spent that day saying goodbye to his cars. His crews. His passion. It was a chance to go out on his terms. Here is a photo from that day.
With the news this morning of his passing millions of people will look back at his life and career. Think about their favorite movie with him. That one scene where you knew he was perfect in the role (Slap Shot). Others might look back at his career as a car owner in CART or CAN-AM. Races he ran in SCCA and IMSA. Sitting in his pitbox cheering on Mario/Michael Andretti Sebastian Bourdais, or more recently Graham Rahal. Still others knew him for his charitable work with the Hole in the Wall Gang Camps or Newman's Own dressings and popcorn. The man was complete. Everything he did he did for a reason. It was just time to go. So he did. In his own house with his beloved wife. And the world goes on. Just not as fast. Godspeed PL.
1 comment:
Well written, Davy with tremendous sensitivity and insight into that last day on the course. We kids saw "Cool Hand Luke" in a small Westwood, Ohio movie theater when our parents would drop us off. The world is deprived of Paul's gifts. You were Blessed to have met him. He's with the Good Lord now. May God Bless Joanne and the family.
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