A True Champion, Garrett Roe “NO FEAR”

By Bonnie Nibblett

Delmar, DE…..H. J. Bunting, III, in the no. 1W owned, Will Brown, Will Brown’s Truck Repair modified, has claimed the Delaware International Speedway’s Big Block Modified Championship for 2005.  And by a good margin of 244 points as well as, a very well, ranked performance.  Bunting lost by a mere 34 pts in 2004. 

Last year, was the first year Will Brown and the 1997 Modified Champion H. J. Bunting, III, teamed together, and they seem to click right away.  Together with a top notch crew, the team pulled it off this year with an outstanding, hard worked season.   Bunting this year took it all the way home for Brown’s first Big Block Modified Championship as an owner and Bunting’s second championship.  Brown also claims one small block championship from Susquehanna Speedway in his 4 1/2 years of owner and crew chief.

Bunting had 3 wins, 13 top 5’s and 3 top 10’s in his favor this year.  Defending 2004 Champion Craig Mullins has been right there every week as the two battled all season long.  But it is not over until it is over as they say.  In racing, as with many things in life a little luck, can always heed about anytime, and Mullins certainly had been down the last few weeks of racing.  Although Mullins too, had 3 wins, 8 top 5’s, and 4 top 10’s he could not pull it off again to claim another championship.  Mullins had a shock fall off when a bolt broke on the last point’s event of the season; and Bunting finished 7^th that night, but he clinched the championship the week before. 

Driver H. J. Bunting, with car owner Will Brown, Teene Muir, and the crew, all put together a young boys dream to come true if only for one night.  Track Promoter/Owner Charlie Cathell met on several occasions with Muir to make this wish come true for the 10 year old Garrett Roe, a “True Champion.” 

Muir, found that Roe was a race fan through her work, but that he had never experienced any racing.  Well, that just started Muir’s wheels turning as Muir’s part of Brown’s team.  Roe has suffered all his life with health problems after being born 2 months pre-mature.  He lost an arm and circulation in his spinal cord affecting the use of his legs; later broken bones, foot surgeries, head shunt and many prosthetics throughout his childhood.  You would never know by his personality and persona. 

Before that Saturday night, September 3, 2005, Garret Roe, of Cambridge, MD,   had never been to a dirt track or any race for that fact.  Roe said, “My Dad liked NASCAR, so that was how I started to like racing.” Garrett has grown to love racing as well as setting some pretty high goals for himself, to the point he wants to be a driver, own a team, be a crew chief or even commentator for a race someday. 

Roe has endured far more than any child that age should, but you would never know it by his spirits.  Roe never missed a beat and acted as car owner, crew chief, fan, to riding in the pace car, and participating on the one way radio communications to the driver all in one night. 

The drivers all suited up to report for the driver’s meeting to meet this special young guest.  Drivers had been asked to show to the meeting with their suits on to have group pictures taken with Roe.  Many drivers brought photographs, hats, shirts, with them, and autographed most of the items.  Roe made his way around to just about every driver to have his picture taken while escorted in the pits.  

During the 25 lap feature a red flag was waved, and Roe, (acting as owner) radioed Bunting, that he better get busy to win that feature.  Bunting made it an action packed feature when he actually pulled it off on the last lap to pass Norman Short.   With Bunting smiling in victory lane he stated, “He (Roe) was on the radio while the feature was red flagged and he told me to get going - so I got going.”  In victory lane, track announcer Charlie Brown interviewed Roe, as did Delmarva Sports Action Magazine, The State News and other media; all had the pleasure of meeting Roe. 

Roe was so happy, and just too cool!  When asked how he would describe the night, Garrett, stated, "Awe Man!  Fun! Exciting! A lot of souvenirs! It has been just awesome, it was like Christmas here."  I know he warmed my heart as he did many others I am sure.  I have a new friend and I hope that Garrett visits www.Redbud69racing.com to keep up with racing around here in Delaware and email so we can stay friends too.   

That kid was simply such an inspiration to many in all the hard times going on in the world and U.S. and how he shines above it all.  The personality of this kid, he will surely be able to accomplish anything he desires.  His health problems seem not to exist when you see the energy and vitality he had that night, and in life in general.  He’s truly an inspiration for all and to all that night.  With everyone working together Garrett lived part of his dream that night, but even more, everyone learned from him. 

The following week in the drivers meeting Cathell thanked all the drivers for participating in making it a night Roe would not forget.  Cathell replied, “He certainly was an inspiration to all of us, to endure his problems, yet be was so positive.  I know he touched me and all of us.”

A special applaud for Charlie Cathell,  the track and officials along with Bunting, Brown, and Muir and the 1W crew  for letting this young man open our hearts as much as we opened his heart and thank you to all the drivers.  I think we all enjoyed it as much as he did.  Lettered on Terry Chaney’s no. 77, AC Delco TSS Modified was the letters “No Fear” Garrett Roe.  None of the drivers had the honor to meet him before that Saturday night, but he was so, a “True Champion”, Garrett Roe “NO FEAR.”