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On June 23, 2006 Delaware Speedway held a Memorial for Dave Lawrence. Here is the speech given by Delaware Speedway President Kevin Bulmer that evening, as we were all struggling to deal with the loss of our friend.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for being with us tonight.
When we were last here, one week ago, our family was whole. One week later, here tonight, it is not.
Last Saturday morning it was learned that we had lost Dave Lawrence, one of the most well-liked, respected, dedicated, compassionate and fiercely competitive individuals we have had the pleasure of knowing. Dave passed peacefully, in his sleep, at the far-too-young age of just 41 years. His loss has shaken the lives of countless families who count among the “bigger” family we call this community of racers and racing at Delaware Speedway.
Dave’s presence will never be replaced. His positive influence has been felt by all of us who have competed, worked or played at this race track. He has touched so many lives in so many ways that it is almost unimaginable to consider Delaware Speedway without Dave Lawrence. And yet, that is what we are now faced with beginning tonight.
When word went out about Dave’s passing, we scrambled to find each other … not only to share in our sadness, but to re-connect, to share our recollections and remembrances about Dave. As such, there are many people that we have invited to be here tonight. Not all were able to attend, and among those who are here, not everyone felt they’d be able to speak, though they wished they could. So we’ll do our best to share the thoughts for all of them.
One of the first people I talked to managed this speedway for a number of years and during that time – and the time since – he became very close friend of Dave’s. Brad McGonigle is here with us tonight and would like to say a few words.
[Brad McGongile]
Thank you Brad.
Interestingly, though we mourn and enter this night with incredibly heavy hearts, I feel we can draw strength from Dave himself. Because of his influence, we are equipped to begin to pick up the pieces and carry on. Because Dave spent his life helping countless fellow competitors, track officials, sponsors, fans and family members, we are now stronger and better for it. We are poorer for his loss, but richer for having known him, and we owe it to him now to implement what he’s shared in a way that would make him proud.
It’s ironic. If Dave were here, he’d likely be embarrassed by the fuss. He was intricately involved in all that went on surrounding this race track, but he was never one to be-labour his involvement. Such was the case with everything he did. He was always there to help. He understood that making things better for others made things better for him, too.
An astonishing majority of the race vehicles in our Street Stock division have Dave’s stamp on them. By that I mean that he has either built, worked on, helped with or consulted on most of the cars out here. He has helped mentor countless racers, and the only thing he has asked in return is for a good race. More often than not, he got it, and we all got to benefit as spectators.
For a week we have been mourning the loss of our friend and family member. No doubt we’ll continue to mourn for days and weeks to come. However tonight it’s time to begin the celebration of a life well lived, one that touched so many others in a way that made their lives better.
Tonight, we would ask you to begin that celebration with us. Please help us support Dave’s wonderful wife Heather, and his fantastic two boys Kris and Jordan. Help us show them how much their husband and father is loved by their extended family at Delaware Speedway. Please help us lift the spirit of Dave’s fellow competitors, who go into action tonight with heavy hearts.
Tonight, there are two banners on display at the Speedway. One is fastened to the back of the tower and the other is just outside our tech garage, in the infield. Dave Kompelien and the great people at Auto Trim Design have provided these banners. We ask that you take a moment to sign one of those banners, and write a personal note or remembrance if you wish. If not tonight, next week. If not next week, then the following week … as long as it takes to fill both banners with heartfelt thoughts of love and respect. Once we’ve done that, we will present both banners to Heather, Kris and Jordan, so that they may see for the rest of their lives how many lives have been touched by their family.
Tonight, after racing is done, take a moment to take a close look at the cars here this evening. Most – if not all depending on supply – are running a number ‘28’ decal in memory of Dave and will continue to do so the rest of the year.
Tonight, look closely at the other drivers. Thanks to Frieda Cooper, a fan and friend to many of us a this race track, many are wearing black ribbons in memory of Dave.
Tonight, please send out your positive thoughts and prayers for Dave’s wife Heather and his two sons, Kris and Jordan. Tonight, the boys have each been presented with a checkered flag that features their father’s number ‘28’ in the middle. We hope that they will cherish the flags as a momento and a reminder of just how many of those flags their Dad collected here and at other race tracks over the years.
Tonight, our Kendall Motor Oil Street Stock division will run a 28-lap feature race, in memory of Dave. It is cliché to say what someone “would have wanted” … but I’ll trust that I knew Dave as a good friend enough to say that he would prefer CHEERS to TEARS. Please let our Street Stock competitors in particular know that we are cheering for them to put on a great, safe race that we would all be proud to have seen in Dave’s memory.
Tonight, send a thought out to Dave’s close friend and racing teammate, who will get behind the wheel of the number ‘28’, which is still the points-leading car in the Kendall Motor Oil Street Stock division. Please know that it must be incredibly difficult for Duane tonight, but he is going to do his best to give us the gift of seeing the 28 on the track. In spirit, Dave and all of us will be riding along with him.
The challenge is ours now, to continue to let Dave live … in the things we do, the things we say and the lives we lead. It is up to us to show Heather, Kris, Jordan and – indeed – ourselves, that we have listened and learned from our all-too-brief time spent with Dave. It is our challenge to look out for others the way Dave looked out for us, to brighten the lives of each other the way Dave brightened ours, and to help each other, in good times and in bad.
[Please rise]
Ladies and Gentlemen, please join us in a moment of silence and reflection as we honour the loss – and the life -- of our beloved friend, Dave Lawrence."
[Silence]
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