by Shey Stahl
I laughed looking at my son dressed in a tuxedo. He noticed immediately and nodded a little too arrogantly. “That’s right mama, I look good.” Looking around the room, his eyes caught with a young blonde two table away. “Damn, looks like Paul’s daughter is growing up.”
Casten left after that.
Jameson approached the table again only to be asked by a host to come back stage again.
Watching him now, I always knew just how great Jameson was. But that weekend, and the night of the awards banquet that year, it became real as I listened to some of the greatest icons in auto racing talk about my husband as though he was god.
I felt Jameson’s hand squeeze mine when a photograph of him winning his first NASCAR race in Rockingham came on the screen. It wasn’t just of him though, Jimi was right next to him in the photo smiling at his son.
That’s when Russ Campbell walked on stage as the only light shined on him dressed in his black tuxedo. “As many know, we lost a part of our family this year at the Frost Nationals and nearly lost one of the greatest drivers this sport has seen. But first, I think we should talk a little about the man who made this possible for him, Jimi.”
It was weird to me that they were talking about him like he wasn’t here and then it really dawned on me, Jimi wasn’t here any longer. I reached for Jameson’s hand again. It was clammy and trembling as they spoke of his father.
This had to be hard.
“Jimi Riley was born in 1956 in Bloomington, Indiana to Casten Sr. and Elle Riley and that’s where he made his name. Casten Riley Sr. built sprint cars from the ground up and then raced them down at Bloomington Speedway. After a while, Jimi took interest and in that small town in the Midwest is where his love was formed with dirt racing. Jimi won his first World of Outlaws championship the very first season it was started in 1978. From there he went on to thirty more and raked in three thousand and forty feature wins in his forty-five season career.
“You see it all the time, NHRA, NFL Coaches, Actors, various people in sports broadcasting all taking an interest in NASCAR. Some just simply watch where others try their hand at team ownership. Jimi wasn’t any different. He just decided one day, “Hey, I think I’ll start a NASCAR team.” And he did. But his greatest decision was pairing a rookie driver and Bobby Cole together.”
The crowd chuckled as Larry, the broadcasting announcer for the banquet, took over the speech smiling. “No one touched Jameson’s records he set back in 2003 with his twelve wins, twenty-two top five’s and thirty top ten finishes in the thirty-six race schedule.
“Well he broke that record that record year after year. But no one else has. Tate Harris tried but couldn’t quite reach Jameson’s record number of wins in a season he set in 2013 of twenty-three. Throughout his twenty seasons in the Cup Series, he started eight hundred and sixteen races, snagged two hundred and twelve poles, one hundred and eighty one top five’s and two hundred and forty seven wins with fifteen championships. No other driver in the history of the sport has ever accomplished those numbers. The same one they called Rowdy Riley for his temper on and off the track. The same kid who shoved reporters out of his way and had his name embroidered in the Big Red Trailer,” Larry shook his head looking over at Jameson with a smile. “Jameson Riley was undoubtedly a polarizing figure in NASCAR racing. And no one knows this better than the man who took a chance on him back then, ladies and gentleman, fourteen-time NASCAR Cup Champion...Tate Harris.”
I looked over at Jameson when Tate took the stage and his head was bowed as if he actually looked up, he might cry.
Inside Line – Jameson
I wasn’t comfortable being praised upon. That’s not why I raced. It was never about that attention but it was inescapable on a night like tonight. As a racer, you know there’s a destiny there, a romance to the sport that draws you in but the lines between are hard to distinguish. I felt it, the sweat of the triumph if you will. I understood what people saw but I felt none of it. I couldn’t get outside of it enough and see my life for what others witnessed. Instead, I remembered enough along the way to know my own boundaries and imagine the romance for what it was. Personally, that was me and always had been.
Tate smiled toward me and winked. He leaned against the podium appearing relaxed as though he was talking to a group of friends outside his transporter. And really, he was. “Here’s a kid that given how disposed he is to rattle other drivers, he’s the first to make sure you’ve walked away from a crash. He prompted a chorus of alleluias by winning, always has.” Tate said. “That’s what really set him apart from the drivers at the Chili Bowl the year I met him. It wasn’t just that he won; it was how he won.
“And he continued to win that way. I’ve witnessed him at his best and I’ve been there with him when it’s all fallen apart for him. In 2003, he proved just how great he is. That year snapshot still stands out because it captured Jameson at his absolute bedeviling best. A driver who just wouldn’t quit and could incite fans to rush the catch fence each time he pulled off another victory. He was a god out there and he knew it. It was riveting to watch, the intersection of greatness emerge just off the loathing he fed from that year. I honestly believe this kid has revolutionized the sport to what it is today. No one could touch him that year and probably never will, I know I tried.” He smiled with a low chuckle. “I’ve thought about coming back and seeing if I could go after number fifteen, just for the record books.” His smile turned wicked. “But I also know Jameson...he’d come out of retirement too and then we’d constantly be battling it out each week just trying to one up the other.”
It was bizarre to me to have these guys talk about how great I was, I was never one for praise but I also remembered, throughout the twenty years in this series, these were my friends. Given the chance, I’d say the same things about them.
As Tate finished, he said one thing that really got my attention, his eyes glazed over and he cleared his throat. “He would be proud of you right now buddy. Always remember that.”
I didn’t know Kyle was going to speak, but he did.
“Only another driver can understand him and I always did. I’d worked with other drivers before but the important thing was the combination between the driver and the crew chief. If you don’t have a sundry of team members, it doesn’t work. ” Kyle glanced over at me. “To spare myself a breakdown up here...I’m just going to keep this simple. I’ve stayed out of the spot light but I’ve been in the heat. You stood by me no matter what. I remember our first season in cup together when we were fined for a...fuel additive.” He raised his eyebrows in disgust and snorted, the crowd laughed at his sarcasm toward the bullshit fine. “While I remember sitting in that hauler with you getting ready to hear the verdict and you asked me, “How’d it get there.” I gave you my honest answer of, “I don’t know.” And you know what, he never questioned me. Jameson trusted me and that’s what made us the champion we became. He’s really what kept Riley-Simplex racing all these years and as the new owner he will continue to keep it a winning team.”
I had to laugh as did the crowd. Kyle ratted me out.
I hadn’t announced it officially but yes, I was the new owner of the team and would assume that responsibility next year. Like I said, I was no longer racing with the series but this team was hand crafted by my father. I couldn’t just let it go.
Before Kyle ended his speech he said one thing that pretty much summed up our relationship over the years. “He may have been Rowdy Riley or the same guy that would punch you if you threatened him but” he looked directly at me. “...there’s a reason why I’ve been your crew chief for the last twenty years. You’re my family, that’s why.”
There was a short intermission while drivers talked with others and their families but I stayed seated at our table watching.
Axel was there with Lily, she looked beautiful as she always did. They were standing next to Justin and Ami who were also there in support of me. Tommy and Willie were there too since there was free food s
o of course they came but most of all, they were here to support and be the friends and brothers that they always were to me over the years. I chuckled to myself thinking back to the time when we changed out an engine on the way to Skagit going down the freeway and Tommy dropped that wrench on my face.
Spencer and Alley sat side by side with Cole and Lexi near them, teasing Tommy. Aiden and Emma lost in their own bubble together sat next to them across from all of the crew guys from back home. Noah and Charlie, behaving for once, they all came as well and even congratulated me at one point. I think they were scared now that I had more time on my hands they wouldn’t have jobs but even though they were still shitheads, no one could build engines like the Gomez boys.
Easton and Arie were here and all smiles. It was a good feeling seeing her smile these days and being with a guy that I was sure wouldn’t break her heart.
And Casten, my crazy kid that found entertainment in everything life had to offer him. He was here, laughing at me but he was here.
“What are you laughing at?” I finally asked him when he chuckled beside me. Sway had gotten up to use the bathroom so he stole her seat next to me.
“Nothing of substance...” then he laughed again when Tommy stuffed a beer in his suit jacket. Casten nodded toward him. “I don’t know what’s more entertaining to me...Tommy in a suit or him stealing free beer.”
I laughed as Tommy stashed another one. “Definitely the suit, he steals free beer all the time.”
Sway returned and had a good laugh with us until the intermission was over and the stage went dark.
I knew what was coming and I wasn’t prepared for how emotional it would be for me.
It was time for me to speak.
They introduced me to the audience after that and played a short video of my career to which the entire venue went ballistic with cheers when they saw a picture of me at five years old racing quarter midgets. I was sure my mom was behind that one. There were pictures of me and Jimi laughing together sitting on the pit wall prior to races over the years. There were various snap shots of us throughout my career, some of Axel with us and then the last picture of Jimi and me. I remember that day clearly though it was years ago; it was the night I won my tenth championship. In the black and white photo Jimi had his burly arm wrapped around me but was pulled back, looking directly at me with a wide smile. He was there for every championship I had ever won.
When the picture faded to black, the phrase “Legends of our Time” covered the screen.
“Ladies and gentleman, the fifteen time NASCAR Cup Series champion...Jameson Riley.”
With a quick kiss on my wife’s cheek, I took the stage for the last time as race car driver in NASCAR.
I didn’t say anything for a long moment, just stared at the screen that still had the phrase plastered upon it.
“Were we legends?” I asked rhetorically looking out into the crowd, whistles and cheers roused. “Well he was undoubtedly a legend but me...I don’t know about that.” I shook my head and looked down at the podium before gazing into the crowd at Spencer, Aiden and Kyle sitting next to my mom. I winked at her and she smiled holding Spencer’s hand. “But I’ll tell you something else...” I began slowly. “I set out to accomplish one thing in my career and that was to be known as Jameson Riley, not the son of Jimi Riley. Somewhere along the way, I accomplished that. But I also discovered that it was far more rewarding to me that I was his son. He taught me everything I knew about racing, life and love. Now that I know what I do now, I don’t know why I fought so hard to separate myself from him in racing when all along, he molded me to the driver I became and I am honored now when someone says, “Hey there’s Jimi Riley’s son.” I looked back at the screen one last time. “This one’s for you dad.”
I could have said more and I did but that was the speech that came from my heart as it was true.
That night, when we left with one phrase stuck in my head. “You’ve made a lot of money in your career.” I couldn’t get passed that particular phrase being said to me. As if that’s why I did all this.
Well yeah, I was never hurting on money but it wasn’t what I wanted out of life.
It was never about the money. Looking back to my first midget race, it was about the adrenaline, the competition. That’s what drove me.
I raced because I loved it, not because of the money.
You rarely find guys like me walk away when they’re on top of their career like I was but I did. I came back from a nearly fatal accident because I needed to prove I could. That right there should tell you how much this sport meant to me over the years. As I said, it was never about the money.
If you asked me now what my happiest memories were, sure most were racing.
But then there were the years spent with my dad at Lernerville, Terra Haute, Skagit, and Elma...all vivid memories.
When I met Sway, our summer together, those three weeks together after Charlotte, getting married, our kids, all that was some of the best memories I had. The tie to racing was strong. I loved them both. Both made me who I was today. And I took pride in knowing I was still that same person I was back when I started racing...Jameson Riley.
I remember where I came from, what made me, and I would always consider myself the kid from Elma Washington.
30. Bench Racing – Sway
Bench Racing – When a group of guys sit around talking about racing.
You would think that I would know better than having everyone over for Christmas, but I didn’t. I mean really, I’ve done it before and every year I tell myself that it was a stupid idea.
This year wasn’t any different.
Christmas Eve was usually the holiday that brought everyone together. Christmas Day was spent with in-laws or whatever else all the various families had going on.
So this year, the year Jameson retired, we had everyone over for Christmas Eve. Most years we did this at Jimi and Nancy’s house but since Jimi passed away, Nancy wanted it somewhere else.
The day before Jameson was supposed to be coming home from Nashville where he’d been doing an appearance but he wasn’t at the Nashville airport where Axel was waiting for him.
“Where are you?”
He sounded slightly out of breath, which had me a little concerned. Casten who was sitting next to me smiled and looked down at his phone when I glared at him.
“I’m at the airport.” He sighed. “Why did I fly commercial?”
“Because I told you, we gave the flight staff the week off for Christmas. What airport are you at?”
Jameson grunted out a snort. “I don’t see why they get the week off and I don’t. I’m supposed to be retired.”
“You scheduled the meeting before you announced your retirement.” I pointed out. “But really, what airport are you at?”
“Memphis. Why?”
Casten started laughing when he overheard that. “Jameson, how did you get to Memphis?”
“Uh...that’s kind of a dumb question honey.”
“No, it’s not.”
“Well okay then, I flew here on this thing called a plane. It’s a great source of travel.”
“Hey asshole,” Casten was laughing so hard he was turning red at this point. “I know what a fucking airplane is, Jameson. What I’m asking is, why are you in Memphis when Axel is supposed to meet you in Nashville. Why did you switch planes?”
Jameson was quiet for a moment before he spoke. “Shit. I got the gates confused.”
I knocked Casten off his chair when he got to laughing so hard he snorted his cereal. “See if you can get the next flight to Nashville then. I really want you home for tomorrow night.” I hinted without saying why.
He knew me to well and let out a sarcastic laugh. “What for?”
“It’s Christmas Eve, why else?”
“Why would you want me there so badly?” he asked again with apprehension mixed equally with irritation.
He knew me to well at this point.
I decided based on
some internal debt that I would use his mother for this one. “Well mom wanted everyone together for Christmas and Casten volunteered our house.”
Casten looked up at me from the floor. “You dirty liar.” He whispered but smiled when I through a cookie at him.
“Why is Casten laughing?”
“When isn’t Casten laughing?” I added trying to compose myself.
“Good point but I don’t understand why he would offer up our house.” Casten heard him and starting laughing and then said, “I didn’t dad, she’s lying!”
Before I could reach the little shit, he was running away from me.
Trader.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk.” Jameson clicked his tongue. “You shouldn’t lie to me honey.”
“Oh really, why is that?” The snow had just started to fall when I heard a loud crash in the family room followed quickly with Casten saying, “I’m sorry, I’ll buy you another one.”
Jameson must have heard that. “I swear to god Sway, if he broke another window, I’m gonna kick his ass.”
“Will you just get on the goddamn plane?”
“Fine.” He let out a huff. “But I expect some dirty—”
“All right you, just get on a plane. Let me worry about the making up.”
Jameson chuckled lightly. “Getting on the right plane now. I’ll be home soon.”
When our family started to arrive, Casten was in heaven. Turns out he didn’t break a window but the television. He wouldn’t admit to how but he did run out and buy another one before Jameson found out.
Casten was, harassing everyone as he did best. He enjoying himself because not only was Tommy and Willie were there, but they also brought a date that in turn brought her daughter who just happened to be in his age range. I say range because she was a little older than him, by three years but Casten liked them older for some reason.
I laughed at him when he came into the kitchen for another beer with a huge smile on his face and a little flushed. I kicked him when he walked by. “You’re not twenty-one kid. Matter of fact, you’re not even sixteen. How will this look to our guests?”
