Venturini Motorsports Keeps Matt Hawkin's Memory Alive |
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Topics: Matt Hawkin
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Emily Teeter
Venturini Motorsports
May 13, 2010
CONCORD, NC (05-13-10) As Venturini Motorsports prepares to travel North next weekend to Toledo Speedway in Ohio, the team will first travel South to Woodstock, GA for the 2nd annual Matt Hawkins Memorial Golf Tournament.
Matt Hawkins was very close to the Venturini Motorsports family before a tragic accident took the life of the 21-year-old in February 2009.
Matt Hawkins was one of the brightest stars in short track racing and won his inaugural ARCA Series start at Iowa Speedway in April 2008. Billy Venturini had his eye on the young driver. He met Matt and his father and immediately saw the close father-son relationship and knew he wanted to tie them into the Venturini team and family.
Matt Hawkins signed with Venturini Motorsports in early 2009 and planned to showcase his talent in the ARCA Racing Series with the team. Billy and Matt worked together during the offseason and developed a close driver-owner bond. The accident that took Matt’s life was heartbreaking to Billy and the Venturini team.
“I’ve seen a lot of things happen to close friends during a race, but nothing has effected me like this. I remember it like it was yesterday,” commented Billy while telling his story of Matt.
Billy still has a picture of Matt sitting against the business card holder on his desk. Matt is more than just a memory to the Venturini team - he is an inspiration and motivation.
“Matt is motivation in two different ways. When I look at his picture I see a driver that had all the talent in the world and should have made it into the big leagues. He deserved the chance in a racecar that he never got,” said Billy. “Our team stems from him. I want to help my drivers get the chance they deserve and we work hard to see that through.
“And no matter what kind of day I am having; it can never match up to the pain and suffering that Matt’s family goes through everyday to loose a kid as special as he was.”
Billy still keeps in touch with the Hawkins Family to provide comfort and support. Venturini Motorsports drivers, crew chiefs, and owners will pay tribute to the young star at Bradshaw Farms Golf Course in the 2010 Matt Hawkins Memorial Golf Tournament on Tuesday May 18th.