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May 17, 2004

Pete Orr Memorial Set For Saturday

Jane Smith

On May 22, the second annual Pete Orr Memorial Orange Blossom 125 will run. Scheduled earlier in January, Mother Nature cut the race short and it was moved to May 22nd.

In the field next Saturday night will be five racers who want this win more than anyone knows. Why do they want it so badly?? Because afterall it is "Pete's race" and that is all that needs to be said.

Pete left us on November 18, 2002 at the age of 46. Much too soon. Pete left large foot-prints in many hearts especially these five racers.

Travis Kittleson of Merritt Island owes a great deal of his racing career to Pete Orr. It was Pete who got Travis his first ASA car and it was Pete who got him thru the early period of ASA. "Pete taught me many things in the time we spent together", said Kittleson.

"But Pete was truly one-of-a-kind in many respects and I can only hope that some of Pete rubbed off on me. It is Pete's number 30 that I carry on my ASA car. In some respects, he is always with me wherever we go."

Right before Pete found out that he was sick, he was the crew chief for Justin Drawdy of Fort Pierce. Justin, his dad and Pete became the best of friends and Pete helped Justin in many ways to become the fine racer he is today. When Pete got sick, Justin and his dad were always there for him and they remained very close until Pete's death.

"I still miss Pete's smile and funny little jokes" said Drawdy. "Pete was a great man, a great racer and the best of friends."

B.J. McLeod knew Pete from an early age and Pete was always there when B.J. needed him. They were family afterall. "When I was younger, Pete and I would sometimes race each other. Sometimes he taught me and a few times I taught him but he was always there for me," said B.J. "I will never forget the first time we raced together. Pete was my teacher but more importantly Pete was my friend."

Scott Stevens wasn't really a student of Pete Orr but a very close friend. Scott wants nothing more than to run Pete's race and win it. Scott lived very close to the Orr family and was always visiting to talk to Pete and keep his spirits up when they got low. "Losing Pete was very hard and such a shock,": Stevens said sadly. "He was there one day and gone the next. But nothing would have kept Pete down and he did what he had done all his life - go to races."

While Pete was waiting for his bone marrow transplant and getting out some, he found a new student in David Frohlich. When the Sunbelt Super Late Model Series went to Sebring International for their road race, it was Pete who helped David thru that race. "Pete was such a great man and I appreciate all he taught me. We were not ready to lose Pete Orr but Pete Orr will never be forgotten by any of us" Frohlich said when he won his first Super Late Model feature last year at New Smyrna Speedway.

Pete Orr helped many racers - Erick Black, Chad Pierce, and his son Bobby. Pete could never go anywhere and not be surrounded by friends. Pete was never further away than a phone call when it came to helping anyone with their car set-up. Pete was the best at that and everyone knew it.

This Saturday's event will mean alot to these five racers and many more. Wayne Anderson of Wildwood won the first Pete Orr Memorial Orange Blossom 125 but he will find the competition tough this year. A large field of cars are expected because afterall, this is "Pete's race".

In January, when the race was called due to rain, Jay Middleton of Lake City was given the first annual Pete Orr Sportsmanship Award presented by KARNAC.com and Goodyear Tires. That presentation will be done in front of the fans also on Saturday and will become an annual event in connection with the Pete Orr Memorial.

Pit gates will open at 2 p.m. on May 22nd with qualifying at 6:30. Racing will begin at 7:30 p.m. New Smyrna Speedway is located between SR 44 and SR415 between I-4 and I-95 eight miles west of New Smyrna in beautiful Samsula, Florida.


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  COMING EVENTS


Pit Stop
 FMCRA Race School Graduates ready for 2005 Mini Cup season Opener

 Schedule for January 8th at New Smyrna Speedway

 New Smyrna Speedway returns to racing action Jan. 8 with Riverfest 300

 Reminder for all Sunbelt - Super Late Model Drivers about SpeedFest

 Entries Are Coming In for USA International Speedway's 2005 SpeedFest

 Happy New Year from New Smyrna Speedway and Team FASCAR

 Pro Trucks and Quick Kids added to River Fest 300 at New Smyrna Speedway January 8th

 Team Cheetah Racing has Great 2004 Season

 CCS TO RACE SUNDAYS IN JANUARY; SPEEDWAY PREPARES FOR NEW YEARS RACING

 Rick Bristol announces sale of his race team to driver R.J. Arnone

 Big Improvements being made at Orlando SpeedWorld, Entries pouring in for 2005 Winternationals

 Charlotte County Speedway Announces December 31 and January 2005 Events Schedule

 Volusia Speedway Park Announces 2005 Race Week Schedule

 USA will host 2005 Speedfest January 27, 28, and 29

 USA Sprints 2004 Southern Thunder Tour Champion Andy Kelly

 Greg Kielma Turns Over Driver Duties To Joey Barnes

 Florida Mini Cup and Santa Clause bring holiday cheer to Shriner's Hospital

 USA Sprints Return to Charlotte County Speedway

 Last Race Night Buffet a Success

 New Smyrna Speedway Ends 2004 with Full Program

 Citrus Closes 2004 with 2 Day Winter Spectacular

 Final 2004 Race Set for Saturday Afternoon at Orlando SpeedWorld

 East Bay Raceway Park Gears up for 2004 Finale and 2005 Winter Nationals

 Drivers have FINAL Chance to Practice at SpeedWorld this Wednesday

 Final Race Night Buffet will honor area track and series champions

 Bobby Orr returns to New Smyrna Speedway

 SPEEDWAY TO SPONSOR NOISE FOR TOYS NOV. 27 AT TOYS-R-US

 Greenwood Chevolet to Sponsor first ever FASCAR Pro Truck race this Saturday at Columbia

 CHARLOTTE COUNTY SPEEDWAY REOPENS WITH DAVIDSON MEMORIAL

 FASCAR Pro Trucks debut this Saturday at Columbia Motorsports Park





 
 
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