A SIGN OF HISTORY IN NORTHWEST TOUR

by Jessica McClure

(August 24, 2002) - "Gentleman, start your engines!" -- the most famous words in all of motor racing, will not be said at the NORTHWEST RACING ENTERPRISES 150.

Instead the official race starter for the event, 12-year-old Peter-John will lift his hands with the power of American Sign Language to give the "start your engines" command.  It will be history in the making.  The momentous occasion will take place at Wenatchee Valley Super oval during the Raybestos Brakes Northwest Tour's season finale.

When the start your engine command is signed in ASL, it will be an astonishing first for both NASCAR and for the hundreds of thousands of individuals that live daily with deafness, blindness and other major medical problems. Peter-John, profoundly deaf, legally blind and confined to a wheelchair, is part of their world.  He offers a link between the racing world and those with disabilities, those whose voices are not always heard.

Since birth Peter-John has been a part of all of the above, but has gone on to also become a part of racing and his "Racing Smiles" and love are overflowing.  The purity of his heart has humbled all.  It has made those that turn wrenches, those that pilot racecars, those that sit in the grandstands, open their hearts and minds. Because of Peter-John people may be a little kinder to the lady that cannot see, the child that cannot walk, the man that cannot hear.

"I was delighted to be given the opportunity to welcome one of racing's most loved fans to be the official starter of the Wenatchee race," Northwest Racing Enterprises' Melinda Moulaison said. "Peter-John has captured racers hearts across the nation. He is giving the racing community the opportunity to reach out and let people that do not always hear or see or walk to races know, that they are just as loved as any other fan in the stands. There was a time when the racers were Peter-John's heroes, now I think it is Peter-John who is the racer's hero."

Peter-John was first given the opportunity to experience racing by past NASCAR Champions, Gary Lewis and Butch Gilliland. But secrets are hard to keep and when Peter-John and his courage was learned about, almost all the racing community wanted to share in the joy of racing smiles. 

The Northwest Racing Enterprises 150 is offering all racers and fans an opportunity to participate in this significant event.  The race weekend will kick off with many celebrations planned around it, from multiple driver TV appearances with Peter-John, to radio events.  It will conclude with a victor winning the race and a champion being crowned in victory circle, but the
biggest winners of all will be the men, women and children that have the chance to meet Peter-John for he is the real star.

Peter-John is bringing us back to a simpler time, a time of caring one for another.  What he is doing for racing and the people that face major medical trials can never be expressed in words, except by changing both worlds when he signs, "Gentlemen, start your engines."

The Northwest Racing Enterprises 150 will take place at Wenatchee Valley super oval on Saturday, September 28.  For ticket information call the track at: 509 - 886 - 5801.

View the Northwest Series on NASCAR.com with Results - Standings & Driver Profiles