For July 25, 2003

Auto racing fans; they come in all ages, shapes, sizes, and nationalities. Some are dedicated fanatics; others are occasional spectators. For those of us who are members of the fanatical sect, we’d like to think we are each the truest and most loyal fan the sport has ever known. There are times when we complain about certain races, track operations, and just about every other facet of the sport. But when all is said and done, we love our racing and would do just about anything to watch our motorized heroes in action. After all, we’re all vital cogs in the game and the sport wouldn’t survive without us. At least, I’d like to think that’s a fans value. I now question that philosophy. Maybe I’m not quite as important a cog as I had led myself to believe.

I made it to Thompson International Speedway last Saturday to catch the weekly racing program that featured the Busch Grand National North Series (BGNN) as the card’s highlight. A 150-lap main event with this quality touring class had to be good copy, didn’t it? I assumed as much. What I found was a racing story within a racing story. It is a touching story of courage, determination, and extreme devotion to the sport of auto racing; a commitment to life, itself, that all of us would do well to emulate.

When we, as fans, want to attend a race, we simply get up and head to our favorite speedway. We don’t think much about it. It’s something that we simply take for granted. For Ray Castigliego, he can’t just get up and go. To put it bluntly, he can’t get up. For him, attending a race, or any other function in life, is a major undertaking.
 
Back in 1999, Ray Castigliego, was a hard-working, 32-year old automobile mechanic residing in Warren, RI. He was married and the father of two lovely children, Rachael 8 and Joshua 4. He had a job he loved, so much so that it was a passion, and even more than that, it was an obsession. As some would say, it was a labor of love. He treasured his family and his profession. This thing called life was a wonderful thing.
 
He souped-up an engine for his beloved Jeep; he enjoyed riding dirt bikes; he was an active and intelligent young man on the road to success. He even built his own house. The world was his oyster. There seemed to be no limit to what the future held in store.
 
Then, without warning, a blood clot developed and went into the brain. A devastatingly severe stroke was the result. Ray was left completely and utterly immobile. More than just becoming a paraplegic, Ray lost the use of every muscle and nerve in his body, including his ability to speak. With the loss of his voice, he now is able to communicate only with the blinking of his eyes.

I can’t even fathom what I would do in a situation like that. Yet, according to all the medical staff, Ray has not only survived this catastrophic plight, he has maintained a positive attitude through it all. Not to say there aren’t times of discouragement and depression. That’s only a natural progression of healing. When he does suffer these bouts, it’s generally due to feelings of frustration of dependency. It’s not the anger of the “Why Me” syndrome. This young man does not feel sorry for himself; he does, however, feel regret and sadness for those who are now in charge of his care and rehabilitation.

Ray is fortunate, in some aspects. He has a caring and concerned nursing staff at Zambarano Hospital that tends to his every need, and especially to his emotional needs. The debilitating stroke did not affect this young mans mind. He has retained all of his mental faculties and still has the yearning to enrich his mind further. We’re not talking vegetable here. This is a functioning, useful, human being with all the feelings and desires that you and I possess.

Ray’s daughter (Rachael, now 12) and son (Joshua, now 8) visit weekly; so too does his mom and grandmother. These are looked-forward to occasions that keep his spirits high. The prognosis for his recovery is slim. Still, doctors admit that so little is known of the brain and it’s functions, that anything is possible. He could wake up tomorrow morning and be as close to normal as he was before the stroke took away his mobility. Medical experts have a name for Ray’s condition; it’s called Locked-In syndrome. Ray has come to accept his fate, but the fact that there is even the remotest of possibilities, keeps him going. After all, hope is something we all possess; just in differing desires.

Heather Lessard is one of Ray’s nurses. She, like Ray, is a special person. A race fan herself, she has taken it upon herself to address many of her favorite patient’s desires, chiefly that of attending auto races. She has sacrificed much of her free time to accomplish that objective. She’s well aware of the good these Thompson excursions do for him. The anticipation of a day at the races reroutes Ray’s mental focus and cheers his outlook immensely.

Heather spends a couple of hours bathing, dressing, and primping Ray for the trip to Thompson. A special needs van is required for transport and care has to be taken in getting him into and out of the vehicle.

Ray’s hands, arms, legs, feet, and head are strapped securely to the wheelchair in order to avoid any accidental movements that could result when wheeling him from the van to the speedway. She then places the wheelchair next to the fence between turns three and four, adjusting it just so, in order that Ray can see most of the on-track happenings. The he sits, motionless and soundless, watching and absorbing all the great racing that particular day produces.

During the period between each race, Heather is there to chat (Ray does it with the aforementioned eye blinks) and to make sure he is comfortable, seeing that his needs are met. It’s a unique scene that tugs at the heartstrings. What Ray Castigliego has to endure to be at his favorite racetrack is more than what the average fan has to undergo. Yet, he doesn’t complain (remember, he can’t talk). He’s just so happy to be out in the world and to be part of the activities. For a while, at least as long as the race day festivities last, Ray Castigliego’s problems dissolve, somewhat.
 
Unfortunately, there is a drawback to Ray being at Thompson on a weekly basis. That drawback is affordability. Castigliego receives no income whatsoever. When mom or grandma can spare a few dollars from their limited incomes, he gets to go to the races. Once in a while, heather is able to finagle her budget constraints and foot their admission price. For her, though, it’s tough since she’s a single mom trying to raise a son. Yet, when those special occasions do arise, the therapeutic worth to Ray’s psyche is invaluable. What better medicine can there be than a day at the races?
 
Ray Castigliego is caught in a “Catch 22” situation that most of us can’t even imagine. Still, he goes on. There are lessons here that Ray’s outlook can teach each of us. There is so much we can learn from him. Remember that old adage about having no shoes and then meeting a man with no feet. Maybe, just maybe, we can all apply parts of that adage to our daily lives. If only one of us can learn to bear up under conditions that this man has had to accept, then perhaps, there is a rationale that God intended. It’s quite possible that Ray has been chosen as a beacon for those of us to follow in times of strife.
 
I am amazed at this man’s fortitude. He is enduring a hardship that is nearly indescribable, yet is somehow surviving. I don’t feel pity for Ray Castigliego; he doesn’t want that. What I do feel is compassion. And with that compassion, I also have a profound admiration for his resolve. To have that kind of strength of mind is a remarkable achievement; to say the least. My wife, Annie, put everything into prospective when she commented, “He is slowly learning to make his lemonade, and helping us all learn the necessary ingredients in the process.”

Is it any wonder that I consider Ray Castigliego my number one “VERY SPECIAL” race fan? He has shown me what can be accomplished with a deep-rooted strength. I guess it’s time for me to re-evaluate the things that are important in life, like family, friends and God. Ray’s zest for life has proven that we can go on, no matter the circumstances that might befall us. Thank you Mr Castigliego for sharing part of you with all of us. And to you, my readers, I ask you to take a moment from your hectic race day schedule and stop by turns 3 and 4 to say hi to this VERY SPECIAL person. He may not shout howdy back to you, but he’ll blink once or twice in appreciation. It would add much to his enjoyment of the day.

The weather conditions at Thompson last Saturday were ideal; sunny and warm, but not overly humid. A fairly decent crowd was on hand to take in the full day of racing action that proved to be as great as the weather.

After a two-year drought, GeGe Gravel found his way back to Victory Lane in the Pro Stock ranks. Gravel has been running strong all year, but just didn’t have Lady Luck on his side. This time around he took no prisoners and came home victorious. It was nice to see him get his just deserves.

Another stranger to the Winner’s Circle emerged from the Late Model division when John Falconi crossed the finish line first after a grueling 25-lap test that had the fans on the edge of their seats. Falconi has gone suffered through some horrible wrecks lately and this win should help to alleviate the pain. It’s nice when good guys get rewarded for their efforts.

But with all the first time winner’s this past week, at all the tracks around the country, none could have been more satisfying, or gratifying, than Jimmy Rosenfield’s victory at Seekonk Speedway in the Pro Stock class. It was Jim’s initial win after 23 years of trying to tame the Massachusetts oval. Heartbreak upon heartbreak had befallen his past efforts, but he wasn’t to be denied this time. After a hard-fought battle with Ken Spencer, Rosenfield’s #44 flashed under the checker ahead of the pack. To classify this win as a deserving one would be the penultimate in understatement. The entire crowd was happy for him. I, too, want to offer my kudos for a job well done. My only regret is that I wasn’t on hand to witness the feat. Let’s hope there are a few more of these glorious moments waiting in the wings for the #44 race team.

Most of the local tracks will be running their regular race cards as usual this coming week. The NEMA midgets will be making an appearance at Lee USA Speedway this Friday, July 19. It’s NEMA’s first trip back to the NH oval since 1994. It could prove to be quite an interesting event since most of the younger NEMA drivers have never driven these open-wheelers on the track before.

Also, The Pro All Star Series will be in action on the same date (July 19) at White Mountain Motorsports Park. The PASS organization seems to be catching on with the fans and they’ve put on some superb shows lately. It should be no different at White Mountain.

Thyme has come to a standstill (at least mentally) and I’ve got to bring this to a close. My thought to leave you with this week is, “If you get the urge to run around naked, drink Windex. It’ll keep you from streaking.”

Any news/notes/comments/suggestions can reach me at 339 Church St, Putnam, CT 06260-1254. My Ma Bell listing is (860) 963-2598 and e-mails reach me at onthyme60@aol.com . Until next we meet, think racing and remember to support those who support the sport.

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