My son is 7 years old. He is named Hayden, after our last World Champion. I am deeply saddened by the reality that my boy will never get to meet the man that inspired me to give him his name.
I was hoping, like a lot of you that Nick would "come Home" in a few years. And be the Legend around the track like Nixon, or springsteen, or any other of the old guard that walk among us mortal folk. He was supposed to be the guy that would sit there and smile while men spin tall tales to their children about the hero that is mere feet from them. The kids would look at their fathers and roll their eyes in disbelief. The Dad would be awestruck with hero worship. The God among men would give a warm smile, a firm handshake, tousle the hair of the little kid, and be on his way to the next dad walking with a little kid.
That is what was supposed to be the life of OUR CHAMPION.
GodSpeed Nick. You are our Hero. Keep Smiling KentuckyKid