Original Message

I had an opportunity to watch the Speedster Feature from Kutztown this past Wednesday night (8/31) which featured a great battle between Tom Mayberry, his son TJ Mayberry, and hard charger Alex Bright and others.  Lots of side by side racing... Tom and his son looked to be the class of the field throughout most of the event, and with quite a few restarts near the end, all had the opportunity to get the win, but when it was all over, it was veteran Tom Mayberry getting the checkered flag over his son TJ.

While in victory lane, announcer Barry Angstat (sp?) was interviewing Tom on the win, and then mentioning to Tom that this wasn't the last race of the year.... that there is a 75 lapper coming up, and about how Tom had great momentum leading up to that event, to which Tom...., taken his time between words...., and with some sadness, but with a very quiet sense of contentment in his voice calmly said:

"Nah.... I think this my last.... I think I've called it a career...  I think I'm done...  (crowd starts to applaud)....It's time... you know?... I ran a lot of cars... I'm gonna get emotional - sorry.... Lot of good cars.... A lot of good owners...  Lot of good wins... It's getting harder and harder every year.  My back is killing me...  It's tougher to get up every morning and I know he's (son TJ) going fast enough now he can take over, and to be honest with you, I don't know if I could go 75 laps next week.

He then went on to thank those who have helped him along the way, and ended with "I want to thank everyone who has put in the time and effort into my career, and I can't thank them all enough..." 

It was nice to hear the applause from those in attendance who were able to be part of the moment in person.  I only wish Tom could hear all of us who weren't there, but who have watched his career over the past decades, and who too are applauding not just the win and the victory lane words, but are applauding the career, the racer, and the man.

Thank you for the ride Tom.