End of the Game -Thank You

[Racing Fan]

Jack, I only met you once at Zanesville but got a really good feeling about you. You are a really nice guy and hope you will be around for a long time helping!!! Salute!!!!!

[jtower3941]

Jack:
I spent time with you in the safety boat and we have pulled some drivers out. I hope that you and I can spend some more time in the safety boat. Experience, you have, and it has shown by the number of years you competed. You said to me once, this is not my first rodeo and I belive that. See you when I see you.

Jim Tower 118P

[nbranews]

Thank You Jack

Jack you are a great guy and a great friend. I have known you for many years when you raced in the mid-west with NBRA and AOF. You have always been a person I look forward to talking with. You are always kind and full of words of wisdom.
Sorry to see you retire but if you know it's time then you know. I look forward to seeing you at some races. East coast style racing now that I moved to PA.
Best of Luck to you and your wife doing whatever it is you decide to do.

[DrRick34-0]

Jack---I am bummed to hear of your decision, but very much respect you and any decision you make. I am proud to say that I raced against you in your final race. Please come and hang out with us at the races. You know where you are welcome for pancakes, snacks, margaritas, etc.

Rick Miller
34-0

[Jeff Brewster 59s]

Thank you Jack for all you have done for our sport. You have been a true sportsman and I am glad that my boys and I have been able to watch you race and have the privilege to know you. Hope to see you this summer. 3-T forever!

[Matt Dagostino]

Jack................

I hope you will still be at the races! Always a hoot to spend time together. Look forward to seeing you soon!

Matt, Val & The Rock

[mdaspit]

Jack-
I am sure there is no shortage of well intentioned people who will wish you well in hanging it up.

Well... here is another point of view, from one retired guy to another.

Don't do it Jack.

Have your Birth Certificate checked for accuracy, because you are not 72.

You are a warrior, and warriors don't get old untill they stop hanging it out there.

Satchel Page said-"how old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?"

Keep pulling the rope Jack...and stay on the throttle.

All The Best-

Mark & Sharon

[CSR4C]

Jack,
To me it looks like you have 4 choices:

1. Get a young "hired gun" to drive your boats & keep them winning.

2. Keep coming to races & help out in the pits.

3. Become a race official to keep everyone legal.

4. Waste away in a retirement home.

Your help has been great at Top 'O. Couldn't have done it with out you in '06 when we had all our friends from Ecuador there.
Linda says Hi and misses our ice cream nights.

Thanks
Darrell Sorensen

[deverhart1]

Message to Jack

Jack I wish the best to you. I can tell you that I too have discovered that it hurts longer than it use to. I have always had great respect for you. As I said in the other thread I will always enjoy saluting Kernal Stotts.
Sincerely Kaptn Dave also Ret TFD

[ian]

Jack, you big sissy. Now you can spend time doing more dignified things, like closing bars with Shane out in California......

[bill giles]

3-T
I admire your courage old man. I have tried an failed. But.......
3-B

[johnml390]

Mr. Jack, it just wont be the same not seeing youre rig at the races anymore. I sure do hope that you can make it out to some races to spectate atleast. You will ALWAYS be welcomed in our pit. You helped me and my family (Mark, John "Sonny", and Randy) so much over the past 6 years. I remember the first time I raced you. It was in Pineville, LA in 2005 at an NBRA race. We raced Mod. 25 Hydro together. I know me and you had a real close finish for second/third place (Tim Schultz won it I believe) and I felt soo good that I had actually been able to put up a fight against such a legend of our sprt. I remember you came to our pit soon after to tell me and my Dad how good of a race I drove that heat. It made me feel as if I had won the race. You are always full of encouragement but at the same time knowing when to put someone in their place so that they understand things fully. The last time I got to race with you was in 2007 I believe during the AOF Nationals in Pineville. I know we once again we dogging it out in C Hydro this time and in the last turn of the last lap you got tossed out. The whole raced you pushed soo hard that I drove at a level I had never knew I could handle. You made me learn things about how to push myself and the rig to gain those last few tenths in speed. And whether you finished or not you are what propelled me to that record we set that day. Once again Mr. Jack it will be a sad thing to not have the opprtunity to race you again. But to have the memories of enjoying the same water as you while being pushed to the absolute limits will stay with me forever. Thanks for the memories Mr. Jack, and please dont be a stranger at the races. Boat racing needs you... With out you who will make sure all of us stay in line anyways, especially us Mathews!!! Haha. Goodbye untill we meet again.


P.S. I almost forgot the most important memory of all. My first race ever was in Pineville, La in 2003 at the NBRA Nationals. For the start of the race in A Hydro Jack had me stay with him on the start of the first heat to make sure I would get to the line with everyone. I didnt do the best job of it. But He came by after the heat and gave me hard time about it... but not in a mean way more of in a since that he knew I could do it better. And in the second heat I did do it better following him boat side to boat side down the starting line. Also that morning he was the one who stood up at the driver's meeting and gave me the new racer welcoming with a few claps with his hands. Good times.

[G Stillwill]

Jack I know this was a hard decision to make and you will be missed. I do hope you still make some races buddy you are a pleasure and a class act to have around. Hope to see you soon buddy.

[Gunjumper]

Your a true first class sportsman. Looking foward to seeing you, even though you won't be in a boat, I know you still won't be able to stay away... See you in the pits. Greg Lyons

[dil/viller]

jack, unlike the cowardly lion [from the wizard of oz] u show dignified courage in your decision to leave the water 2 the rest of us knucleheads. maybe will see u again in zanesville. the [mutant earthling]23w.