Racer Dudes

I started this as a racing blog over a decade ago. One of the recurring themes was the partnership of Jimmy Vasser and Alex Zanardi as teammates - and great friends - in the Target/Chip Ganassi racing team in the CART series (which later merged with the Indy Racing League to form a reunited IndyCar series). I loved that pairing. They were one of my greatest sources of entertainment in the 1990s, and even after they were no longer teammates - and eventually, no longer racing - I was still a fan of them, separately and together.

I know Jimmy Vasser must be suffering right now, along with many others who knew and loved Alex Zanardi, and it breaks my heart. The idea of a world without Alex in it is incredibly sad. I knew I would grieve if he passed, but it still is unbelievable to me that the end finally came. The story is over. We never got to see Alex again after his 2020 accident that took him out of the public eye, and we'll never hear his voice, see his smile, be treated to his humor and wisdom and reserves of inner strength, ever again.

My sympathy goes out to his family, friends, everyone who was fortunate enough to work with him, and to all the fellow fans who just saw a little of the light in this world go out.