A SPECIAL FAN MISSING
Something was missing
when Pete Berner, Pro Stock driver, arrived for Winner’s Circle photos following
his victory at the IHRA Torco Race Fuels Presidents Cup Nationals at the Budd’s
Creek facility several weeks ago. He searched high and low throughout the
Maryland International Raceway property, but to no avail.
Berner had planned to
present this missing individual member the winner’s trophy, because this one
individual had made that much of a difference in his heart.
The interesting part,
this individual was not an integral member of the crew.
In fact, she had
become a part of the crew only the day before and only by a twist of fate. The
unfortunate part of the entire story, Berner hasn’t seen or heard from his
newest crew member since that Saturday meeting.
Berner had just run a 6.294 elapsed time at 221.74 miles per hour to claim the third spot in one of the quickest-ever IHRA Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Stock field during Saturday qualifying.
Something was missing when Pete Berner, Pro Stock driver, arrived for Winner’s Circle photos following his victory at the IHRA Torco Race Fuels Presidents Cup Nationals at the Budd’s Creek facility several weeks ago. He searched high and low throughout the Maryland International Raceway property, but to no avail.
Berner had planned to
present this missing individual member the winner’s trophy, because this one
individual had made that much of a difference in his heart.
The interesting part,
this individual was not an integral member of the crew.
In fact, she had
become a part of the crew only the day before and only by a twist of fate. The
unfortunate part of the entire story, Berner hasn’t seen or heard from his
newest crew member since that Saturday meeting.
Berner had just run a
6.294 elapsed time at 221.74 miles per
hour to claim the third spot in one of the quickest-ever IHRA Torco’s
CompetitionPlus.com Pro Stock field during Saturday
qualifying.
It was after that run,
Berner explained that a lady, accompanied by a young child, walked over to his
spot in the garage to inform him he was her favorite driver and that his Pontiac
GTO was her choice of cars.
Admitting that he’s
been around racing for a long time, Berner cherishes his interaction with the
race fans, but almost chalked up this meeting to another moment with an admiring
race fan.
Something the woman
said completely changed both his thinking and his weekend.
“I’ve got terminal
cancer and it’s my wish that tomorrow you win this race,” the woman
said.
Berner walked back
into his trailer, away from the hustle and bustle of the pits, and he wept. The
fact he’d run the quickest and fastest run of his career was secondary. He was
joined by his wife Cheryl, who also shared in the moment.
Berner gained his
composure and returned to find the race fan still standing there and presented
her with a few t-shirts. Inviting her back to the next day’s racing was a
absolute priority.
“She told me if you
could win maybe I could win and it just tore me up,” Berner said.
Berner then told her,
“I’m gonna do everything in my power along with my crew to win this race for
you.”
And he
did.
Berner delivered big
time. Not only did he win the event, but he also took over the championship
points with one race to go. That race is this weekend in
The only problem is
that Berner has a trophy and no idea who to give the prize. He did, after all,
win not just for himself but for his new crewmember.
“I’m gonna find that
lady,” Berner said. “I didn’t see her at the track on Sunday at all. I’m gonna track her down and she’s gonna get
that trophy.”
In the big picture –
Berner – who is on the verge of a second championship with a good showing this
weekend – says this incident just reminds us of the important priorities in
life.
“It kinda tells us
what life’s all about,” said Berner. “I’ve been racing since I was 13 years old
and it is a sport that just makes you cherish every moment. Our team prayed together for her and I just
haven’t been able to get her out of my system. I drove like the old Pete Berner,
kept getting good lights all day long and she was riding with me that whole day
long.”
For Berner, he spent
all day trying to win a trophy. He’s spent weeks trying to give the precious
reminder away.
Berner will be
bringing the trophy with him to Rockingham.
“If anyone knows who
this is, please help me,” Berner said. “This means a lot to
us.”
Berner is reaching out
to anyone he can when it comes to reaching this race fan. If you have any
information on the identity of this race fan might be, please drop us an email –
SPECIAL RACE FAN .