5 years later, Nadeau still trying to fill the void
Quote selected text Published May 2nd, 2008 in NASCAR News
Pictures, posters and other keepsakes adorn a wall in Jerry Nadeau’s office. Helmets, diecast cars and T-shirts sit on shelves, untouched except by dust.
Among this montage of memories, two framed items stand out. One is a photo of Nadeau’s car beside runner-up Dale Earnhardt’s black No. 3 moments after Nadeau had won the 2000 season finale at Atlanta. Earnhardt’s left hand juts out of his car, his index finger saluting Nadeau on his first and only NASCAR Winston Cup victory.
“That is the ultimate picture,” Nadeau says with a widening grin.
Below that photo is a newspaper clipping from the race. A large picture captures him in Victory Lane, cheeks rosy and bulging smile toothy.
His right hand and that of teammate Jeff Gordon are clasped in celebration.
The headline proclaims: “Happily ever after.”
If only it was true.
A head injury suffered five years ago today in a crash at Richmond International Raceway turned Nadeau’s ultra-focused life into tumult.
Racing defined Nadeau, and even today, he still struggles to accept that he’ll never compete in NASCAR’s top series again.
The son of a racer, Nadeau was doodling race scenes and checkered flags even as a 4-year-old — at least when he wasn’t driving a go-kart. He won races and titles before competing in Europe in a step-ladder series to Formula One.
He returned to the U.S. to focus on NASCAR. He reached his goal, won and then it was gone.
Nadeau, fuller in the face and midsection these days, still spends his days pondering and wondering: Why him? What next?
“I need to find something, do something that inspires me,” the 37-year-old says behind the wheel of his Denali.
Tucked in a bag on a seat is the uniform he wore at Atlanta during his victory. He plans to have it framed.
“Racing was an inspiration to me,” he said. “It was something that I’ll never get back. I’ve got to find something that is equivalent that I can be happy with.”
More at Roanoke Times
- Jerry Nadeau Attempting Risky Comeback
- Irvan & Nadeau Back on the Track at MIS
- BAM Racing loses sponsorship, cuts back Cup schedule
- Burney Lamar to fill in for Biffle
- McLaren and Honda to land big sponsorship deals
i sure do miss him and Steve Park in Cup racing, they were both class acts with alot of wins ahead of them. same goes for Ernie.
i sure do miss Jerry, and Steve Park , and Ernie. they were class acts with a lot of wins left in them. Going back to the Rock this weekend with all the guys like Chocolate and Steve and Jr. will bring back a lot of memories of that rainy day back in 2001. if you live close come on out on Sunday and watch 312 laps of the best racing their is. their are 50 car entries in the field and the tickets are 35 dollars. the biggest purse in ARCA history and a completely resealed track.
Howie motorsports photography wrote:
Wish I lived close to the Rock… I’d love to be there this weekend! Is the race going to be on Speed for those of us not fortunate enough to be there in person?
Jeff wrote:
The race is on SPEED at 12 noon, weather permitting, i would love to get there too, I was at that race in 2001 and saw Michael, Jr., and Steve all sitting together and Jr. crashed out and it started raining and Steve won the race in one of the closest finishes beating Bobby Labonte in a photo finish.
JERRY WE MISS YOU SWEETIE I WISH YOU WOULD COME BACK..
I ALSO MISS STEVE PARK ,ERNIE IRVIN, AND ALL THE GREAT ALL TIME RACERS AND YES RUSTY WALLACE