Dearly departed decides to race in peace

By David Menzies

Many of us, no doubt, want to go out with the proverbial bang or at least ride off into the sunset when it comes to taking that final curtain call. In this regard, lifelong drag race fan Jerome Miller surely got his wish.

According to Wisconsin’s Kenosha News, the dearly departed Miller loved drag racing his AMC Concord until he was 56, after which an aneurysm limited his eyesight. Even so, until he passed away recently, the 72-year-old religiously attended races down at Great Lakes Dragway in Union Grove, Wis., cheering on racers and offering advice for any who wanted it.

With that in mind, Miller’s family arranged for the race fanatic to enjoy one last lap around the track. And the family did so by receiving permission for the hearse carrying Miller’s casket to hit the blacktop. Once again, Miller was off to the races.

Alas, the time the Cadillac hearse notched wasn’t exactly scintillating (45 seconds at 27 mph.) But those observing the posthumous pursuit nevertheless approved.

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"So they took him on his last pass?” said one racer looking on. “Cool. That’s cool.”

So here’s to you, Jerome Miller. We’re glad you received your dying wish. And by the same token, we collectively give thanks to the sporting gods that the sport you were so passionate about was drag racing as opposed to skydiving.

 

Comments

Drag racers don't do laps. It's a straight line kind of racing.