<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/Stivers.jpg" alt="Stivers" align="right"borders="0"/>
ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. (June 19, 2007) - Normally, when Kentucky business-owner Rick Stivers heads to the racetrack, the only thing on his mind is winning races and going fast; this weekend, however, as he prepares for the AMS Staff Leasing Pro Modified Challenge event presented by Tindle Enterprises, he's thinking about a whole lot more than just driving down the quarter-mile.
Stivers said the recent tragedy in Selmer, Tenn. where a car driven by his friend and co-racer Troy Critchley lost control with tragic results has made him think about the important things in life.
"I know it was a charity exhibition and not a drag race, that it had nothing to do with this AMS series, but, it still hit so close to home. Troy is my friend, and I know that this has just devastated him and his family," Stivers said. "I can't begin to imagine what the families who lost loved ones are feeling, but, it has made me look closely at the things I do and the relationships that are important to me.
"For all the years I've been racing, every time I've pulled to the line next to Troy, I didn't worry about anything. He's an incredible driver and a stickler for safety. Everything that whole team does is first class, and I know that their hearts were in the right place when they agreed to be a part of that event. It was just a tragic, tragic accident, and something that I know we all wish hadn't happened," he said.
"This weekend, I'll miss Troy, and my heart goes out to all of the families that have suffered loss and pain as a result of the accident. I know we're all going to try to work together to do something to help the families who suffered, because drag racers are the kind of people who help each other out in times of need, and I think that community needs to know that.
"It's going to be tough, but, if we can all help each other out, we'll come out having learned and changed," Stivers said.
Pro Modified qualifying at the ProCare Rx NHRA SuperNationals is scheduled for two rounds on Friday and one Saturday, with the first round of eliminations scheduled for Saturday evening. The remainder of eliminations will be completed on Sunday, June 24.
Stivers has more than racing on his mind coming into Englishtown
ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. (June 19, 2007) - Normally, when Kentucky business-owner Rick Stivers heads to the racetrack, the only thing on his mind is winning races and going fast; this weekend, however, as he prepares for the AMS Staff Leasing Pro Modified Challenge event presented by Tindle Enterprises, he's thinking about a whole lot more than just driving down the quarter-mile.
Stivers said the recent tragedy in Selmer, Tenn. where a car driven by his friend and co-racer Troy Critchley lost control with tragic results has made him think about the important things in life.
"I know it was a charity exhibition and not a drag race, that it had nothing to do with this AMS series, but, it still hit so close to home. Troy is my friend, and I know that this has just devastated him and his family," Stivers said. "I can't begin to imagine what the families who lost loved ones are feeling, but, it has made me look closely at the things I do and the relationships that are important to me.
"For all the years I've been racing, every time I've pulled to the line next to Troy, I didn't worry about anything. He's an incredible driver and a stickler for safety. Everything that whole team does is first class, and I know that their hearts were in the right place when they agreed to be a part of that event. It was just a tragic, tragic accident, and something that I know we all wish hadn't happened," he said.
"This weekend, I'll miss Troy, and my heart goes out to all of the families that have suffered loss and pain as a result of the accident. I know we're all going to try to work together to do something to help the families who suffered, because drag racers are the kind of people who help each other out in times of need, and I think that community needs to know that.
"It's going to be tough, but, if we can all help each other out, we'll come out having learned and changed," Stivers said.
Pro Modified qualifying at the ProCare Rx NHRA SuperNationals is scheduled for two rounds on Friday and one Saturday, with the first round of eliminations scheduled for Saturday evening. The remainder of eliminations will be completed on Sunday, June 24.
