September 5, 2008 was a day that I will never forget, for on this date I had the honor of meeting a very special person who was not just a drag racer but a man who became my friend in just one hour, a person that I had never met before. It was during a short one hour interview and picture taking session for the SPEED CHANNEL at the “PINK’s All Out” event hosted by Sonoma’s Infineon Raceway (http://www.infineonraceway.com) that I got to know Mr. Turpin and his wonderful family. We spoke about his pink ’49 Ford, its broken starter motor and his drag racing history, that went all the way back to the mid 1960’s. While we were waiting for the starter to be delivered, Mr. Turpin shared the fact that he was fighting a courageous battle with terminal cancer and that he had forgone chemotherapy treatments just to take part in the event. He said that nearly all of his extended family were there to support him and how grateful he was to have the opportunity to participate and to be with the ones he loved.

Speedway Motorsports Magazine and countless drag racers in Northern California mourn the loss of this dedicated racer. On behalf of those who were not able to say it themselves, we wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Ms. Carol Turpin and her family.