It was the first time he was able to compete this season. He had been sort of standing in the shadows, being shadowed by events he could not fully understand. But his love for racing was instilled in his heart many years ago and this night, it was allowed to blossom forth in an awesome show of skill and determination.

You may say he had things to prove, or perhaps he felt he was on his own personal mission to prove to himself, his time in the spotlight had come. Either way, he was given the opportunity, and he took that opportunity completely all the way to the finish line.

From my standpoint, I am almost sure it would not have mattered much to him where he was to finish this race, but after only a few laps, it was quite evident where he was headed, and it became evident to all who was standing cheering him on, that perhaps this night was indeed his.

Young Carter Caldwell showed all who watched, he had not lost one ounce of driving ability as he drove his heart out to the front before taking the checkered flag in the Purple Sportsman Champ Class.

Watching him take this victory, I got what I am sure a lot out there who witnessed it did, this slight problem in my eyes getting all misty and damp. I think if anyone ever needed a victory, or better yet, just a few moments of pure happiness; this young man gave his family what they needed, and in the mean time, grabbed some of that happiness for his own, that only a checker flag could provide.

Sometimes many of us tend to get lost as to what is really important at our facility. Maybe I should say not what but rather "who" is really important. Mistakes are made both on and off the racing surface, which causes yelling and finger pointing. Many of the people who get hurt by all this are the ones who do not deserve it. And yet the fingers still point in anger.

Tonight the finger pointed up-wards as this young racer found a moment of happiness and reasons to celebrate he had not felt for a while. I only hope all who saw this race really looked closely at what it had to offer us all. And to me it was simply one word defining the most uncertain future we all have,....HOPE!!!!

Congrats young Carter Caldwell. I do "hope" this was as special for you as it was for many of us out there!!

On a final note, older brother Clay Caldwell returned to racing tonight in the Junior 2 class finishing a very respectful 3rd place, the first time running an open kart. Not a bad night for these two brothers !!!

Check out the results here and on My Laps, if they ever get their server fixed, and you will see the times were close and tight in each race. It was a day of great racing and a lot of smiles. Again thanks for all of our racers support!!!