Hard Not To Root For Hamilton

In a sport that truly subscribes to the what have you done for me lately theory, open wheel fans quickly forget about the fallen drivers who from time to time are horribly injured in the profession they have chosen. While few who experience devastating injuries make it back to the drivers seat, some do and that is where we apparently will find one Davey Hamilton this May in his quest to return to open wheel racing as he attempts make the field for the 91st Indy 500. Robin Miller of SpeedTV.com has reported Hamilton will drive the fourth Vision Racing entry rather than being a analyst for the IMS Radio Network throughout the month of May. Hamilton who will turn 45 in June, cut his teeth on the supermodified circuits and is a veteran of six Indy 500's with a best finish of fourth in 1998. But most remember this polite, easy going Idaho native from a violent crash in 2001 at the Texas Motor Speedway in which he sustained serious injuries to both feet and ankles. After numerous surgeries and long periods of rehabilitation, Hamilton was able to walk again and be involved in various other aspects of racing besides driving. I had the pleasure of meeting him for the first time in April of 2006 when I was his passenger in the Sinden Racing two seater program at IMS. What a change of scenery it must of been for a talented driver who was twice runner up in the IRL points standings to be driving folks like myself around the track at the "slow" pace of 170 mph. When we concluded the quick ride, I asked him if he ever got the urge to drive again and he smiled and simply said everyday. Hamilton undoubtedly had that desire fueled even further having to watch less talented drivers compete in the IRL since his crash and wondering time after time what might have been. Having not driven in the series for close to six years, he will no doubt have his work cut out for him when the track opens next week for practice. Hopefully Vision Racing will provide him with all the resources and necessary track time to give him every chance to make the field. While many have been very critical of Tony George for his part in the current split of open wheel racing, I must salute him for remembering one of the IRL'S fallen warriors and giving him this opportunity. More importantly, I hope Hamilton will complete this odyssey in a safe fashion and can walk away with the sense of satisfaction that those like myself rooting for him would surely savor as well. Danny Bridges