Roush is a Jack of all trades

Last weekend, I was able to be a part of the annual National Motorsports Press Association’s induction dinner. The induction class included Rusty Wallace, Robert Yates, Roger Penske and Jack Roush.

I had the unique honor of presenting my friend Jack Roush for induction. It was a really cool deal. The NMPA recognizes folks in racing across the board – drivers, crew chiefs, team owners, track owners plus reporters and writers.

I tip my hat to the NMPA for the continued excellence of the Hall of Fame they have created over the years. The honorees are just just as impressive as those who will be inducted in May for the first class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Sure I am in this sport, but folks, I am also a race fan first. It was so cool to look around the room and see Bobby Allison, Tommy Houston, Mike Helton, Barney Hall and so many others there for this ceremony. As you have heard me say in the past, sometimes you can be too close to something. Well the other night once again reminded me and made me appreciate the sport I am in. I have to be honest, it gave me renewed enthusiasm as we head to Daytona in a couple of weeks.

I always have been and always will be a big supporter of preserving and honoring our heritage and our legends. That’s why I so appreciate the folks at the NMPA. They are doing a great job of making sure we don’t forget where we came from and not losing sight of our legends.

Now what is funny, is racing against Jack Roush all those years, I sure wasn’t very sure about him. To the outside world, Jack might not give off the warm and fuzzy vibe. Jack was always a serious racer.

I have to be honest. I had never once thought about ever going to work for him.  So when he offered me a job, I had to stand back and ask myself two questions. What did I really know about Jack and did I really like him? Thank goodness I was smart enough to not let that stand in my way. What I have learned from him is priceless. I am lucky enough to say I started my career with a great owner, Junior Johnson and ended my racing career with an equally great owner, Jack Roush.

Jack and I have a great relationship now with a huge level of respect for each other. Jack’s career transcends all forms of motorsports – NASCAR, powerboats, road racing, drag racing and on and on. I think it shows the heart and passion this man possesses for motorsports. To me, well that is just such a tribute to him.

That is clearly one man that had a dream and held onto it. Just look at the organization he has built. He has so many passions and he excels at all of them. He has so many passions now from racing to business to flying, and on and on. Jack is just something else. He is just a special individual.