One Final Lap.

In a depressing, yet also heartwarming, turn of events I read this story. 83 year old actor/racer/political activist (who I disagree with on some things)/philanphropist/living legend Paul Newman is dying of terminal lung cancer and isn't expect to see this October. In an age of tabloid Hollywood where anyone can be famous for 15 minutes Paul Newman excelled in his chosen crafts and was a genuinely nice guy. Most people know him for his fine films. Cinema history wouldn't be the same without Cool Hand Luke, The Hustler, The Color Of Money, Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid, Slapshot, Road To Perdition among others.

Yet many people forget, or never knew, that Paul Newman was one of the greatest racers of his era. "P. L. Newman" placed second at the 24 hours of Le Mans, raced numerous SCCA and Trans Am events, and at the age of 74 won a Daytona 24 hours. Mr. Newman, with co-owner Carl Haas, has owned one of the best IndyCar/ChampCar teams of modern times and actively participated at numerous races. Oh yeah, I guess he donated over $200 million in profits to numerous charities and non-profit organizations from that salad dressing of his.

To honor a great man and racer the Lime Rock Park race track near his Connecticut home shut down for a few hours on August 13 to let this lion in winter drive a few final laps in his beloved GT1 Corvette. Though depressing to think about the impending death of a good man, I admire his ability to do something he truly loves one last time. May we all be so lucky when the twilight comes.