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Old tradition done out of respect for those who have passed. This was started way before you could have tribute decals off of the computer and printed in a couple of hours as there were no computers at the time. However, everyone has tape. It has just carried over.
The first time I saw it done was after the death of Lee Shepherd. All of the pro stock contingent put the black slashes through their numbers in respect and recognition for Lee. It may have been done before that, but that was the first time I had seen it done. Since then it has kinda been adopted as the drag racing world's way of acknowledging and showing respect for a fallen comrade.
So you are saying I am wrong about the black slashed numbers following the loss of Lee Shepherd? Man, you are gonna have to do some convincin' on that one...
Well Vaughn I dont know if it started out that way, but for aslong as I can remember racers do that when someone dies. But since you say we are all wrong, then whats the answer according to you?
I can tell you that I put the tape on our wing my self and the rest of the posts regarding the reason its done are not wrong! It is out of respect for Scott!
To be honest, I thought the racers did it every year, whether someone had passed or not. I always figured it was because that number signified where they finished last year, and not where they stood this year.
It originates from the extremely old fashion of wearing black arm bands after a death. Dates back to at least the early 1800s. If you want a good example that you can see in film, check out Jimmy Stewart in "It's a Wonderful Life" (from 1939) shortly after his father passed away. Or check out any of the video from the time after JFK was killed. The tradition used to be to wear the arm band during the official mourning period, along with the flag at half-staff -- usually 30 days -- but sometimes lasted as long as a year.
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