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When Pete Orr left us in November 2002, the racing world far and wide felt a
deep sense of loss. The message boards momentarily halted their usual pace and a drum beat began to demand that the
FASCAR
organization honor Pete's memory with a special race in his honor. The consensus was that since one of Pete's favorite events was the Orange Blossom, held early in the year, be renamed to commemorate one of Florid'a most popular racers ever.
"Not only was Pete our friend but part of our family and to rename the Orange Blossom
in his honor was the right thing to do," said Don Nerone, Track Promoter for Orlando SpeedWorld and New Smyrna Speedway. "Pete was one of the best winning this race four times, no other driver has done that in the history of the Orange Blossom," added Nerone.
Thus, "Pete's race" was born.
At this time we at KARNAC.com began to lay the groundwork for an award. Pete Orr represented to thousands of fans and competitors alike a person
of integrity, honor and tough, yet fair play. Pete Orr was a good-will ambassador for a sport that by its very nature needs
to always promote the good, the positive and above all true
sportsmanship, as all too often the their opposite values get the attention.
The dictionary describes sportsmanship as "Conduct and attitude considered as befitting participants in sports,
especially fair play, courtesy, striving spirit, and grace in losing". In the real world, this does not adequately describe the essence of what sportsmanship really is. With Pete Orr one is
always aware of the courtesy, the striving spirit and the grace in losing." But there was far more, an intangible, a spirit one can feel but not touch.
"A man who didn't know or even
realize the word quit", said one longtime friend.
Said another, "I was blessed enough to have worked with him, not a day went by with out a laugh not a day went by with out learning
something new about racing or life".
Each year KARNAC.com, with input from many professionals in the sport, makes the very tough decision of naming the Pete Orr Sportsmanship Award
winner. We make that decision trying always to honor Pete Orr and the concepts that he exemplified perhaps more than any other Florida racer in last several decades.
For much more on Pete Orr, with photos, interviews
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