Paul Newman¹ an Oscar-winning actor, starring in over 65 movies over a span of 50 years entrepreneur, philanthropist, activist and race car driver, died of cancer last Friday, September 27, 2008 at his home in Westport, Connecticut at the age of 83.

For you newbie NASCAR fans, and even young people like myself, you might remember him as the voice of Doc Hudson in the 2006 animated flick, “Cars” which is to this day, still my favorite movie! Although there are probably a handful of great memorable movies that my father could spit out off the top of his head.

Newman worked with Kyle and Pattie Petty to form the Victory Junction Gang Camp in North Carolina that helps children with special health care needs.

He will be greatly missed in the NASCAR community…

• “Paul Newman, a real American hero,” -Team owner Jack Roush
• “I have been out on numerous days where he has driven Cup cars. Normally, Rick [Hendrick] has a play day and puts a restrictor plate on the car and lets guys go out and drive around with half the horsepower. Numerous times, Paul has gone out on sticker tires, the plate off and run really quick laps. I was always so impressed with his driving ability and who he was as a person.” - Jimmie Johnson
• “We connected as racers, but Paul’s ideas of what we should do for charity is what really resonated with me the most. He set the bar, not only with his giving, but in how he gave. … Paul did it right, and he did it with class. He’ll be terribly missed,” -Tony Stewart
• “He wasn’t the guy in “Cool Hand Luke” or his other movies, and he wasn’t a race car driver. He was a great human being.” -Kyle Petty
• “He was just a great guy and truly loved everything about racing. He and I shared a true passion for motorsports in general, but specifically IndyCar racing. … Paul was one of a kind.” -IndyCar team owner and driver Michael Andretti.

On this day..

• Current Favorite NASCAR Commercials - 2008

1. Photo from Orlando Sentinel [↩]