June 26, 2009
By Rebecca Gladden
It seems hard to believe that it's already been eight weeks since the passing of NASCAR's most well-respected writer, David Poole.
Poole passed away suddenly of a heart attack at age 50 on April 28th. His death shocked the NASCAR community. He had just finished his Sirius satellite radio show that morning and posted what turned out to be his final article on his blog.
I was on Twitter that morning when the messages of Mr. Poole's passing first appeared. People were shocked and were not even sure if it was true.
Sadly, it was.
I did not know David Poole as well as many other NASCAR writers did. I had seen him around the media center and exchanged email with him once or twice.
But I talked with another writer that morning after we heard the news. He was a close friend of Poole's and the first thing he told me about was David's love for his two-year-old grandson, Eli. "He loved that grandson," he said. "Every time I asked about him, Poole lit up and had another funny story to tell. He lived for that kid."
Mr. Poole's passing was so sudden that there really wasn't time in the immediate days following his death for a formalized plan to make donations in his honor.
Now, there is such a plan.
A college fund has been established in Poole's memory for his beloved grandson, Eli.
Those interested in donating may send contributions to:
Eli Samuel Ross
Bank of Stanly
Attn: Misty Nordan
P.O. Box 539
Oakboro, NC 28129
Phone: 704-485-3435
(Please make checks payable to "Eli Ross Account" at Bank of Stanly)
What better way for those wishing to honor David's memory than to help secure the future of the grandchild that meant everything to him.
One of my favorite David Poole article topics - the one I emailed him about - was his strong voice of advocacy on issues related to driver safety.
It's an area that I've tried to address frequently as a NASCAR writer, because nothing in our sport is as important as ensuring the safety of the drivers. As a former paramedic and emergency room nurse, I've seen the results of brutal trauma up close more times than I care to recall.
At the start of the 2007 NASCAR season, Poole delivered 'his' State of the Sport address on Sirius just hours before NASCAR CEO Brian France delivered the real one. Transcribed into a blog post as well, Poole's version contained what he wished France would say, but knew he wouldn't.
As one of his main points, Poole (being France), wrote, "Earlier today, I ordered the creation of a traveling medical team that will attend all of our events and coordinate care center operations with local personnel retained by each track. We actually will have two teams, with each team alternating at a given track for a given race. While one team is at a track, the other team will be at the next venue coordinating with local personnel and conducting extensive safety and medical meetings with the people they will be working with when our competitors arrive."
Bingo.
Last year, I had a chance to attend a NASCAR test session at Phoenix Raceway and talked to several drivers about the need for a traveling medical team that would accompany the circuit throughout the season. It seems like the obvious thing to do.
Regarding a traveling medical crew, Casey Mears told me at the time, "I don't know why NASCAR hasn't gone to that. I don't know if it is a liability issue, an expense issue, or what exactly. I think NASCAR does a good job, but I can say from the driver's side, I think it would be more reassuring to have a traveling medical crew that's well aware of our cars and our safety issues."
Ryan Newman said, "NASCAR has their medical liaisons and they have a medical staff that travels with them, but they've got a bigger staff in their catering business to feed their people. We as drivers and as teammates would prefer if NASCAR had a traveling safety team that knew our cars in and out."
In fact, I've never talked to a driver who wasn't strongly in favor of a traveling medical crew, and most can't understand why it was not instituted years ago.
Neither can I.
Perhaps, in addition to donating to the fund for Mr. Poole's grandchild, fans could make their voices heard with NASCAR regarding the pressing need for a traveling medical team.
It worked when you asked for double-file restarts, and this issue merits at least as much attention.
David Poole campaigned hard for a traveling medical team for many years.
Now, seeing it come to pass would be a fitting legacy.
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