by Rick Bristol

(KNS)Florida race fans for the last 25 plus years have had the privilege of watching one of the top drivers of Late Models. Along with being a winner on the track he is one of the real nice guys off the track. On the track he races other drivers clean and asks the same in return. Off the track he treats people with respect and that has earned him the respect from fans, officials, other competitors and crews.

I am of course talking of Pete Orr, one of Florida's best. I have had the blessing of knowing Pete and his family since 1987. I remember watching him race is own blue #27 at New Smyrna prior to that. He was teamed with David Russell when I met him. That team was one of the successful teams in Florida and beyond for that matter. The Horsen Around team was one of the winningest teams in the Late 80's and early 90's.

I traveled with the team as a crew member when they ran the Nascar All Pro series and had a great time with Pete and the team. Pete has worked with some of racing's best over the years Darrell Waltrip, Jr Hanley, Gary Balough and Mike Garvey. He is known as one of short tracks best chassis men and teachers.

Pete Orr's Winners Circle Racing School now helps teach young and old about racing and how to win races. Some of the young guns that Pete has mentored over the last few years are B.J. Mcleod,Travis Kittleson and Justin Drawdy. Many drivers can be seen at a race coming to Pete for set up help and even when he was racing against them he would give them help.

He has won many of the states biggest and most prestigious races, the Governors Cup the Orange Blossom 100 and many more. He won the the World Series at New Smyrna more than once and has set track records at Orlando and Desoto Speedway. He tried his hand at Bush Grand National racing but the politics of Nascar were not for Pete. So he came back to Florida and won more races.

Pete has amassed 300 plus career wins but is in the biggest race of his life right now, his battle with cancer. Pete was diagnosed with cancer last year and has undergone intense radiation treatments since and they have taken a toll on him. Those of us that know Pete believe he will win this one as well!

The latest outlook is promising the results of some tests are forthcoming and we are praying for good news. Pete's Family has always supported him in his racing career and are standing by him now more than ever in this battle. His wife Terri always at his side in racing has been his help mate during this battle.

I have watched her be strong and do everything she can for Pete and I know this is very hard on her. Pete's kids , wow I have watched then all grow up Charlie,Lisa and Bobby. Charlie at first followed in Dads footsteps he became a crew chief for drivers such as Balough, Bill Plemmons Jr and Mike Garvey as well but he since has become a very successful fireman and lives next door to his dad. Lisa graduated high school and is attending college she still helps out at the track. Bobby who when he was little told me he wanted to be a flagman,now wants to be and is already a good little driver. He drives my car in Fascar competition at Orlando Speedworld.

In his rookie season he won 2 races had 8 top 5's and 5 top 10's. This year he has already won 3 and finished second in just four races. He has turned the head of many veterans at the track. He shows some of his dads skills. He is clean and patiently aggressive and is just 15 years old. With his dads tutoring he is quickly becoming one of the best young drivers in Florida.

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