A greasy hot tenderloin of IndyCar goodness! 2010-02-18T04:41:44Z http://www.popoffvalve.com/rss/fanposts 2010-02-18T04:41:44Z 2010-02-18T04:41:44Z <p>This place is quiet.<br /><br />It's not what I expected, I figured we'd be shouting our hello's over the engine noise in some busy paddock. That's where I had hoped to catch up with you, but this will have to do.<br /><br />Some oldtimer from the New England region was talking about you a few weeks ago. He said you were out at the FF festival last summer... I bet you were holding court, riding around in your golf cart and setting everybody straight. <br /><br />Joe, you should check out Apexspeed: a bunch of people stopped in there for a visit too. DelVecchio and Wietzenhoff are there, but you gotta be proud of how many people you helped along the road. And how many are proud to call you a friend. No surprise really, there aren't many guys like you around.<br /><br />I think the last time we talked was '82. It's great to see how you developed new roles to fill in the community, and how much of a leader you became. Nobody worked harder to earn it.<br /><br />There's a lot of stuff I took for granted as a kid, and came to appreciate after years of reflection. Joe, I never met a guy who was as trusting and honest as you. You were great at sizing people up, and allowing them the freedom to do their best. And knowing when to step in when they didn't.<br /><br />That's probably one of the lessons Chip learned, even though his impersonations of you were never very good...if he treats people around him like you always did, it's no wonder why he receives the same kind of respect.<br /><br />Anyway, I'm glad for this chance to talk to you. Joe, it's an honor to be one of so many people who were touched by your kindness. Except for that flea thing, though. I didn't quite know how to handle that, when you had John come down from the body shop and paint those fleas in the Phipps boy's car. "Flea on a hot pr*ck" wasn't my favorite nickname, but we could share a laugh over it today...<br /><br />Just not right now. Now seemed like my best shot to stop by so we could share a quiet moment together. <br /><br />Thank you, Joe. See you in the Paddock.</p> <p>Andy</p> <p><img class="photo" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/382050/4366469683_e9303b0153_medium.jpg" alt="4366469683_e9303b0153_medium" /></p> <p>Nancy, "baby Mac", and Joe Stimola</p> <p>1982 SCCA Runoffs</p> http://www.popoffvalve.com/2010/2/17/1315504/quiet-reflection JagtechOhio