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A Fathers Day Story
For most drivers it was just another night at the track. For young Brendan
Higgins it was THE night at the track........
The Back ground:
On Saturday June 9th Brendan Higgins , hisfamily and friends were in a
horiffic accident on their way to USA raceway in Tucson. The hauler cut a
front tire forcing us off the road into the oppisit lanes of traffic and
through a block wall. 5 of the 7 passengers were airlifted to phoenix
hospitals. Brendan and myself walked away with no injuries. Brendan's father
Breck was the most severly injured with a life threatning laceration to the
neck, broken upper and lower jaw, right eye, cheeks,nose, arm and multiple
lacerations to the face and shoulders.
Even though Breck was in ICU we knew that Brendan Higgins Racing must go on
with the season's plans. I knew in my heart that it was what Breck wanted.
And he confirmed it. Brendan told his dad that he would win the race for
him. That was one of the only times he opened his eyes in ICU. It was
Kaylene and Alan Verville who stepped up to the plate and skipped their
points race in Tucson with the winged sprint cars, to get Brendan to the
midget race at Manzanita.
The Race:
It was the 41st running of the Hank Arnold Memorial race at Manzanita
Speedway. It reminded me of the days that Breck raced. one pick-up truck of
parts and a flatbed trailer. This was only Brendan's fourth race in his
Midget. His first race without rookie tags. With a 3rd place finish in his
heat, he pulled the 2 pill for the main event.
He started next to Jeff Henry on the front row. Brendan got lost slightly
on the start. But he was able to avoid Chris Rahe who spun directly in front
of him on lap 2. That moved Brendan into second place . On lap 7 Jeff
Henry's motor let go and Brendan inherited the lead. And for the next 12
laps my rookie driver drove like a seasoned veteran. quoting Windy McDonald
"hitting his mark lap after lap" As Brendan and Chris were coming through
turns 3 and 4 for the white flag chris was able to slip past Brendan for the
win. Now I know you are asking how is this a great story?
The Ending:
In victory lane with class I have not seen displayed in a long time Chris
Rahe brought Brendan into victory lane and proclaimed him, "the real winner
that night" and gave Brendan the 1st place trophy. I would also like to
quote Dave AMRA's secretary "Thanks Chris for helping to make a good story
about a race, a great story, about great people." I could not put it any
better.
With the support of great friends and family, well wishes and prayers Breck
is well on his way to a full recovery. With Brendan's 2nd place finish he
moves to 7th in points and adds more distance between him and the next
rookie of the year contendar.
Brendan and I would like to thank EVERYONE for their support. Words can not
express our graditude. For Father's Day I gave Breck a picture of Brendan
and Chris in victory lane, and a full race report. We will never know how
important that night was to Breck and Brendan.
Happy Father's Day
Melissa Higgins
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