After reading about Rich Oliver’s crash at 145 mph up against the wall at Daytona, two very striking thoughts hit me:

1. What kind of stupid organization (Read: AMA) would flash cautions in only the chicane and not indicate there were problems elsewhere? Why does
safety continue to plague our only premier race series here in the U.S.? Why?!

2. As to Rich’s injuries, it really is clear that road racing is one dangerous profession, but I am also affected by how “casually” Rich seems to
be taking the loss of a finger. There’s not another sport on the planet where you would find a tougher guy than this Rich character. Anyone else cringe at the idea of grinding a digit down to the bone, and then issuing the declaration that “I just wanna get healthy again…to get back into it”?

He’s a “HE-MAN” in my book. I am mighty impressed.

But it does not surprise me, because I go to Laguna early each year and watch the teams un-pack and set up.

We were hanging out at Rich’s canopy, and I referred to Rich (talking to my pal), “There’s the Champ.”

I did not think that he had heard me, and he just laughed out loudly at my remark.

I meant that, Rich.

Dave Johnson