Juan Pablo Montoya's NASCAR career isn't over just yet

 

 

   Team Penske announced on Wednesday that driver Juan Pablo Montoya will make two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts for the organization in 2014.

   Montoya will pilot the No. 12 Ford at June 15 race at Michigan International Speedway and he also in the July 27 Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

   “Juan is a proven winner in multiple racing disciplines and he is one of the most versatile race car drivers competing today,” said team owner Roger Penske. “Michigan and Indianapolis are two important races for Team Penske. We know Juan has the ability to race for wins in both of those events while still focusing on his full-time program in the Verizon IndyCar Series.”

   A former full-time NASCAR competitor from 2007 through 2013, Montoya earned two wins, 24 top-five finishes and nine poles in his Cup career. He owns career-best finishes of sixth at Michigan and second at IMS. 

 

   “It has been a good start to the season with Team Penske in the Verizon IndyCar Series and it will be fun to get back behind the wheel of the Cup car,” said Montoya. “It’s hard to believe, but Roger Penske has never won the Brickyard 400.

 

"I think that Brad (Keselowski), Joey (Logano) and I will give Roger and Team Penske a great opportunity to check that off the list and we should be strong at Michigan as well.”

 

   To read about what Montoya said about a possible return to NASCAR during this year's Indy Car Series Media Day, go here.

NASCAR's Elliott Sadler joins 'Amazing America with Sarah Palin'

 

   NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Elliott Sadler is a guest on this week's episode of The Sportsman Channel's "Amazing America with Sarah Palin." The episode airs at 8 p.m. ET Thursday.

   Field host Benny Spies heads to Emporia, Va., to meet up with Sadler who shares a behind-the-scenes look into his off-track life, including his love of hunting. Sadler takes Spies on an intense, fast-paced deer hunt and takes on Sadler one-on-one in a race.

   “I love what I do for a living, but I’m also a big fan of the outdoors,” said Sadler. “I wanted to give Benny, and the viewers, an opportunity to come along for an experience that’s a little on the wild side – especially when it comes to deer hunting.”  

   You can watch a sneak peek of the show here.

   To find Sportsman Channel in your area, visit the Channel Finder.

NASCAR investigating post-race fight at Richmond

 

   NASCAR officials are investigating an incident which took place in the garage following the race involving drivers Marcos Ambrose and Casey Mears.

   In a Fox Sports video of the incident, Ambrose and Mears are seen having an animated discussion in the garage. Mears appears to shove Ambrose and Ambrose then punches Mears in the head.

   As Ambrose is leaving the area, a crew member wearing a uniform from Earnhardt Childress Racing Engines appears to sucker-punch Ambrose from behind.

   Any penalties will  be announced early this week.

  

Richard Petty: 'I am just learning to live all over again.'

 

 

   Seven-time NASCAR Cup series champion Richard "The King" Petty is back at the track this weekend for the first time since the March 25 death of his wife, Lynda.

   "I just felt like I needed to sort of had a little time on our own so I have been gone for two or three weeks but I am back in the saddle again now. I am just learning to live all over again," Petty said Friday at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway.

   Petty's typically busy schedule returned to some normalcy this week, with appearances on Monday in Georgia, Tuesday in Tennessee and Wednesday in Wyoming. "The busier they keep me the better off I will be," he said.

   Petty said his life now will be different.

   "After 55 years I have to start all over again. I was fortunate that all the kids came home for Easter. We had all the kids and grand kids home and that really made things work good," he said.

   "It is great that so many people knew Lynda so well. Of course she had been around a long time, too. She never met a stranger. Every once in awhile I would come in the house and see people I didn’t even know. She would invite them in the house to spend the night or whatever. Again, it is just going to be different."

JR Motorsports adds another Nationwide Series driver

 

   Austin Theriault will make his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut this season, as JR Motorsports has signed him to drive three races in the No. 5 Chevrolet.

   Theriault, a 20-year-old late model racer from Fort Kent, Maine, will make his debut on May 18 at Iowa Speedway, driving the No. 5 Chevrolet replete with primary branding from SPY, the eyewear brand behind team co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Signature 88 Collection . 

   Nationwide Series races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (July 12) and Kentucky Speedway (Sept. 20) will fill out Theriault’s three-race schedule. The seat of the No. 5 is filled by multiple drivers throughout the season.

   “Our company is known for putting young talent in cars and giving them a shot on one of NASCAR’s biggest stages, and that is what we are giving Austin with this three-race opportunity,” said Kelley Earnhardt Miller, general manager of JR Motorsports. “This keeps our No. 5 car on the track, and it gives Austin the chance to show what he’s got with a lot more eyeballs taking notice.”

   Theriault was the 2012 Maine Vintage Race Car Association’s Driver of the Year, and he made his NASCAR K&N Pro Series debut after winning “Maine Young Guns” inaugural competition in 2012. It was that same year he became a part-time developmental driver for Brad Keselowski Racing.

Pit crew coach for Hendrick's Nos. 48/88 teams steps down

   Hendrick Motorsports confirmed on Monday that Lance Munksgard, who most recently served as pit crew coach for its Nos. 48 and 88 teams, had stepped down from his position and was moving to Texas to work for a family business.

   A Hendrick spokesman said Greg Morin and Chris Krieg will coach the team until a new head coach is named.

   For more information about Munksgard's decision, you can read an interview with him on PitTalks.com here.

  

Competition in Sprint Cup Series is off to a strong start

  

   The first eight races of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season certainly have given the impression the season is off to a very competitive start, but there are some statistics from NASCAR's Loop Data, which provide some strong evidence to back up the claim.

   Among them:

   - All three manufacturers have won races thus far, led by Chevrolet's four victories.
   - An average of 12 different leaders per race, compared to 8.6 at this point last year.
   - An average of 25.6 lead changes per race, compared to 17.4 in 2013.
   - A total of 29,541 green flag passes, compared to 23,178 in 2013.
   - A total of 346 green flag passes for the lead, compared to 181 in 2013.
   - An average margin of victory of 0.588 seconds, the smallest since the start of the 2008 season.

Talladega winners are getting a sharp new trophy

 

   Track press release

   In support of the United States Military, Talladega Superspeedway is thrilled to announce the “Freedom Trophy,” which will be awarded to every winner of a Sprint Cup Series race at the 2.66-mile grand venue, beginning with the May 4 Aaron’s 499. The special trophy showcases all five branches of the United States military - Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard.

   Military personnel will be on hand at each Talladega Sprint Cup Series race to make the presentation of the Freedom Trophy in Victory Lane. Not only will they be in the winner’s circle to award the coveted trophy, but they will also participate in pre-race ceremonies as well. Each Talladega Superspeedway race weekend, a different United States military base will be given the opportunity to present the Freedom Trophy.

   The creation of Talladega Superspeedway Vice President Brian Crichton, the Freedom Trophy is an honor to all military men and women on behalf of the speedway, a patriotic entity since 1969. Crichton enlisted the assistance of Fast Forward Marketing Owner Mike Barth (Spring, TX), who has custom designed trophies in motorsports since 1996. MTM Recognition in Oklahoma City, OK spearheaded the design.

Three observations from Saturday night's race at Darlington

 

   Observations from Saturday night's Southern 500:

    -- Congratulations to new Darlington Raceway President Chip Wile. I was among many who were skeptical of the change of Darlington’s race day this season, which coincided with the Master’s and spring football games at South Carolina and Clemson. Thanks to the work of Wile and his staff, Saturday night’s crowd was near capacity. It was a perfect weekend of racing – from the weather down to the action on the track both Friday and Saturday nights. Well done.

   -- A lot was made of the struggles in recent weeks by Kevin Harvick and  his No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing team but any concern that the team would not be able to make the Chase was vastly unfounded. It remains highly improbable there will be 16 different race winners in the first 26 races – Harvick’s win Saturday night is first sign that idea has been wishful thinking at best. The one constant each week by the teams who end up winning multiple times a season is being consistently fast and there are several viable candidates remaining besides Harvick’s team.

 

   -- Speaking of consistently fast, Dale Earnhardt Jr. already has a win and has now finished third or higher in five of eight races this season. Earnhardt and his No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports team are primed to join Harvick as multiple-time winners this season.

Contract updates on Roush Fenway Racing's Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards

  

 

    The contracts of Roush Fenway Racing teammates Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards are both up at the end of the 2014 season and neither has yet re-signed with the organization. Both were asked Friday at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway to address their respective contract status. Here are their responses:

   Q: Are you any closer to a contract extension?
   Biffle: I think so. I think we are getting closer. There are a lot of moving parts to a contract and a lot of new people at 3M but I know the folks are going up there next week to visit some more. I have a feeling it is getting closer. I know there has been a lot of activity. The program works really well for them and we have the America Red Cross on the car this weekend so it is a good program for 3M and I think they are happy and it looks like we are closing in on an announcement. Hopefully here soon we will have something.

   Q: Greg Biffle said he was close on a contract extension. Anything you want to share on that front?
   Edwards: No. I would rather not even talk about it. I have no news and when there is nothing to say all I could do is stir it up. I promise you, no drama. No drama.

NASCAR owner Gene Haas granted Formula One team license

   Team press release:

   Gene Haas, founder of Haas Automation and co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, has been granted a Formula One license by the FIA.

   The following is his statement.

   “Obviously, we’re extremely pleased to have been granted a Formula One license by the FIA. It’s an exciting time for me, Haas Automation and anyone who wanted to see an American team return to Formula One.

    “Now, the really hard work begins. It’s a challenge we embrace as we work to put cars on the grid.

   “I want to thank the FIA for this opportunity and the diligence everyone put forth to see our license application come to fruition.”

   Founded in 1983 and based in Oxnard, Calif., Haas Automation is the largest CNC machine tool builder in the western world. Stewart-Haas Racing won the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship in 2011.
 

New opportunities for NASCAR fans during Charlotte race weeks

   To commemorate its 30th anniversary, the 600 Festival Association, a nonprofit organization aimed at promoting and celebrating motor sports in the Charlotte region, is offering loyal fans the opportunity to customize their event experience with the "Stars, Cars & Guitars" campaign.

 

   The 600 Festival Association has made premium upgrades available for all four of its May events: "Movies on the Campus" May 9 in Kannapolis, N.C.; "Haulers on Union" May 15 in Concord, N.C.; the "Little 600" May 20 in Mooresville, N.C.; and "Coca-Cola Speed Street Presented by Chevrolet"  May 22-24 in Charlotte, N.C.

 

   While the 600 Festival Association continues to offer free entertainment to consumers throughout the local region, attendees have the opportunity to upgrade their experience with never-before offered perks such as backstage access, reserved concert seats, introducing artists onstage, serving as honorary starter and more.

 

   “We wanted to offer fans a new opportunity to enhance their experience at each of the 600 Festival Association events,” said Jay Howard, president of the 600 Festival Association. “Every one of our guests is a VIP and this is an opportunity for them take control and personalize their experience."

 

   Fans can log on here through April 30 to purchase these exclusive items. To learn more about the Festival, visit www.600festival.com.

 

 

Only 13 laps in and Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s day is done at Texas

 

   Just 13 laps into Monday's rescheduled Duck Commander 500 at Texas Motor Speedway, Sprint Cup Series points leader Dale Earnhardt Jr. saw his race come to an abrupt end after he slid into the frontstretch grass and the slid up into the outside retaining wall. His No. 88 Chevrolet caught fire but Earnhardt was not injured.

   Earnhardt spoke briefly after the incident:

   Q: What happened?
   Earnhardt : "Just didn't see the grass. Didn't know the grass was down there. With the way the A-post is on these cars you can't really see that good to that angle. I just didn't have a good visual of where the apron and the grass was and got down in there pretty good. You can't run through there they way they have these cars on the ground like that. Just a mistake on my part. I just didn't know I was that close to the grass, and made a mistake."

   "I drove the car down there. I didn't know we were that close the grass and was following the No. 43 (Aric Almirola). I thought I was taking a decent line through the dogleg. We were going low around the No. 42 (Kyle Larson) so I was lower than normal and just misjudged it. It tears the car up pretty good when you run through the grass."

   Q: Was wet track a factor?
   Earnhardt: "It was no factor. I just made a mistake."

The start of Sunday's NASCAR race at Texas has been delayed by rain

 

 

   The start of Sunday's Duck Commander 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway has been delayed by persistent rain showers and thunderstorms across the Dallas-Forth Worth area.

   It's the sixth time in seven NASCAR race weekends this season bad weather has affected some part of the race weekend.

   NASCAR will make every effort to get the race in on Sunday and can go into the night with lights, if necessary. In a message posted to his Twitter account, NASCAR executive vice president of race operations, Steve O'Donnell, said track drying procedures would likely need to be underway by 7 p.m. ET for the race to be held Sunday night.

   If the race cannot be started on Sunday, it will likely be postponed until noon ET on Monday.

Goodyear statement on Kurt Busch tire issue in practice

   Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. issued the following statement regarding an incident in Friday's Sprint Cup Series practice involving Kurt Busch's No. 41 Chevrolet, which had a left-rear tire go down and hit the wall:

   "Late in the Sprint Cup practice the No. 41 car lost a left-rear tire after 19 laps of a run. We eventually got the tire back, and while it was heavily damaged, our initial assessment is air loss due to over-deflection in the sidewall area. We've spoken to the team and got some preliminary information, but we need to talk with them further to get more details to help make a final determination." - Greg Stucker, Goodyear's director of race tire sales

A dozen Sprint Cup teams lose practice time on Friday at Texas

 

 

   A dozen Sprint Cup Series teams have been docked 15 minutes of practice time on Friday at Texas Motor Speedway for being late to the qualifying inspection line last weekend at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.

   The teams of Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, Ryan Newman, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Landon Cassill, Cole Whitt, Michael Annett, Martin Truex Jr., Reed Sorenson, Clint Bowyer, Parker Kligerman and Kyle Larson are lost 15 minutes in Friday's lone practice session.

   Teams being penalized practice time for being late to inspection is nothing new, however the number of teams being late on the same weekend is unusual.

Three NASCAR Truck teams penalized

   NASCAR Press Release

 

   Daytona Beach, Fla. (April 1, 2014) — Three teams that compete in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series have been penalized for rules violations discovered during post-race inspection last Sunday (March 30) at Martinsville Speedway.

 

   All three teams – the No. 31, No. 54, and No. 98 – have been assessed a P3 level penalty for violating Section 20B-12.5 (D) (offset front hubs found in post-race inspection) of the 2014 NASCAR rule book.

 

   As a result, each team’s crew chief – Michael Shelton (No. 31); Jerry Baxter (No. 54); and Gene Wachtel (No. 98) – have been fined $10,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31.

 

Brad Keselowski and Kurt Busch give their take on pit road incident

During the second caution of Sunday's STP 500, Brad Keselowski got hit on pit road by Kurt Busch in an incident that also included Kasey Kahne. After repairs were made to his car, Keselowski returned to the track and rubbed on Busch's car several times. Both talked after the race about the incident:


BRAD KESELOWSKI

WHAT HAPPENED WITH KURT OUT THERE? “The replay shows it. We jumbled up on pit road and he just drove right through me and ruined our day. We probably had a race-winning car and it doesn’t matter. That’s the way it goes.” 

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT HIM WINNING? “That’s just racing. You can’t get caught up in that stuff. It doesn’t make you happy, but it’s just racing.” 

DID YOU TRY TO GO AFTER HIM? “I’m good with that.” 

YOU HAD AN ISSUE AT KENTUCKY WITH HIM WASN’T IT? “Yeah, the same thing. He wrecked me for no reason 15-30 laps in, whatever, early in the race just being overaggressive. Aggressive is good, but lap 50 wrecking somebody, if you’re gonna be aggressive wreck yourself don’t wreck me. I’ll remember that when it’s lap 50 and he needs a break and he’ll find his ass turned around in the wall just like he tore my car up. That stuff will come around. Once or twice when it happens you go, ‘Oh, it happens,’ but when it happens repeatedly then you just realize who the person is that’s at fault and you just have to make sure that you show them you’re not gonna take that, and I’m not gonna take that. I know this 2 team is not gonna take it. We had a race-winning car today, instead we finished thirty-whatever with the whole front end tore off of it. That’s inexcusable and I’m not gonna put up with that.”

YOU HAD A LOT OF RESPECT FOR HIM WHEN YOU WERE TEAMMATES. “I still do. He does awesome things for charity and he’s probably the most talented race car driver, but he’s also one of the dumbest, so put those three together.” 

HE SAID HE WANTED TO REARRANGE YOUR FACE. “Tell him come here. I’m right here. He knows where I’m at. Leave victory lane and we’ll go.”


KURT BUSCH

AS FAR AS WHAT HAPPENED ON PIT ROAD WITH KESELOWSKI, CAN YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED AND WERE YOU SURPRISED THAT HE WAS UPSET? "Yeah, I can't believe he overreacted and he's as upset as he is. The 5 car was trying to pull into his box, Brad ran into the back of him, I steered right to go around Brad and then he clobbers our left‑side door, and it's like, okay, accidents happen on pit road. It's congested. It's not a place to race, because of all the pit crew guys down there and I didn't think much of it, and then once we were back out running, he targeted us, he was aiming for us. He tried to flatten all four of my tires. That's a no‑fly zone. That's a punk‑ass move and he will get what he gets back when I decide to give it back."

Martinsville NASCAR Truck race postponed until Sunday

 

   Saturday's NASCAR Truck Series race at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway was postponed by persistent rain showers and has been rescheduled for approximately 5:30 p.m. ET Sunday (Fox Sports 1) - to be run immediately after the conclusion of the Sprint Cup Series race.

   Qualifying for the Truck race was also rained out. Darrell Wallace Jr. will start from the pole as he was fastest in practice on Friday.

New Hampshire Motor Speedway seeking to add night racing

 

 

   Jerry Gappens, executive vice president and general manager of New Hampshire Motor Speedway, hinted in on Tweet on Thursday that his track could have a night Sprint Cup Series race in the 2015 season.

   The 1-mile paved oval located in Loudon, N.H., currently hosts races in July and September and both are held on Sunday afternoon.

   The Observer on Friday asked for comment on the potential of night racing at New Hampshire and the following statement was provided attributed to Gappens:

   “Night racing requires an agreement from a number of stakeholders, and if we do it, we want to do it right and with community support. A recent survey shows Loudon residents support lights, and it has been the top request from our fans for years," Gappens said.

 

   “The first step is to get approval from NASCAR and NBC. We started dialogue in September and I am awaiting an answer. We are hopeful, with the collective work of everyone involved, that the future of New Hampshire Motor Speedway will indeed be bright."

 

Former NASCAR driver Shawna Robinson diagnosed with breast cancer

  

 

    Former NASCAR driver Shawna Robinson, the first woman to win a pole in what is now the Nationwide Series, has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

   Robinson, who now works in interior design and is creator and owner of Happy Chair which restores old chairs, announced on her Facebook page this week that she would begin five to six months of chemotherapy and then require surgery.

   Here is her entire post:

   "I'm getting ready to start a new journey that was unexpected but I am prepared to take it on as I would any challenge ..with direction and strength. I have breast cancer…when they tell you you have cancer you don't hear the rest you just see talking and you seem to be there but your not hearing the words. But it is real, start Chemo next week for 5-6 months then surgery….there is such progress in cancer treatment..…still scared but prepared for battle. Thankful for the family and friends….I'm blessed to have….ready to go wide open and get this thing!!!"

   Robinson won three races in the now defunct NASCAR Goody's Dash Series and has completed in NASCAR's three national series - Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Trucks. Her best Cup series finish was 24th in the 2002 Daytona 500.

NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin cleared to race Sunday

   From team press release:

   Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) driver Denny Hamlin will race this weekend at Martinsville Speedway after NASCAR received official confirmation from his doctors that he has been medically cleared to return to regular racing activities.

 

   Hamlin first visited the infield care center at Auto Club Speedway Saturday night bothered with an irritation in his eye. He returned to the infield care center again on Sunday morning because his condition had worsened. It was at this time that it was determined by the medical team ons ite that he would not be allowed to race due to a sinus infection that was impacting his vision. The doctors at the infield care center referred him to the local hospital for further evaluation.  

 

   During the evaluation at the hospital a small piece of metal was also found to be in Hamlin’s eye. Doctors were able to remove the sliver of metal and Hamlin felt immediate improvement to his condition. A CT Scan did not find any other complications and thus it is believed that the metal was actually the source of Hamlin’s vision issues. He was released from the hospital Sunday afternoon and was given the doctor’s approval to fly home.

 

   Hamlin was then evaluated by a doctor in the Charlotte area on Monday and was sent home to rest. He was instructed to return Wednesday for a follow-up examination.  Following today’s examination, his doctors provided the necessary approval for Hamlin to resume all racing activity without restriction. NASCAR has received official confirmation from his doctors clearing him to resume racing this weekend at Martinsville Speedway.

 

   Hamlin is scheduled to meet with the press in the media room of Martinsville Speedway this Friday at 2 PM ET.

Matt and Katie Kenseth welcome the arrival of their third daughter

 

 

   Joe Gibbs Racing press release:

 

   HUNTERSVILLE, NC (March 26, 2014) – Joe Gibbs Racing’s driver of the No. 20 Toyota, Matt Kenseth, and his wife Katie welcomed a new bundle of joy Tuesday evening with the birth of the couple's third daughter. 

 

   Clara Mae Kenseth was born March 25 at 7:39 p.m. EST weighing in at eight pounds and five ounces. Both mother and daughter are doing well as the family enjoys the latest addition who joins the couple’s other daughters Kaylin and Grace, along with their son Ross. 

 

   Kenseth will be able to spend a few days at home with his brand new baby girl before traveling to nearby Martinsville, Virginia for this weekend's STP 500 Sprint Cup Series event at the Martinsville Speedway.

Lynda Petty, wife of Richard Petty, died on Tuesday

Richard Petty Motorsports press release:   LYNDA GAYLE OWENS PETTY   March 6, 1942 - March 25, 2014

Lynda Gayle Owens Petty, 72, one of the first women of NASCAR and its most beloved wife, mother and friend, passed away peacefully at her home in Level Cross, North Carolina today. She was surrounded by her family. Affectionately known as "Mrs. Lynda" to so many, Lynda Petty set a standard for being a loving, supportive and, when needed, an authoritative wife and mother. She also set the benchmark for being a leader in her local community while raising a family in the fast-growing sport of stock car racing. It was with strong will that Petty fought cancer over the past several years. It was the same determination that led her to make a difference as a Red Cross volunteer, a school volunteer, the president of the athletic booster club and a Girl and Boy Scout leader in her lifetime. She also served on the Randolph County School Board for 16 years and was on the board of the Randolph County Hospice.  Lynda helped start the Racing Wives Auxiliary and will always be remembered as the wife to Richard Petty. Their steadfast love endured trials that only a marriage of over 50 years can. Through triumph and heartache, Lynda Petty was the castle that supported a king in private and public moments.    Lynda is proceeded by grandson Adam K. Petty and is survived by her loving husband Richard; son, Kyle and daughters Sharon and husband Terry Farlow; Lisa and husband Charlie Luck; Rebecca and husband Brian Moffitt. In addition, she is survived by grandchildren Austin Petty and wife Sarah; Hannah and husband Brad Leonard; Montgomery and husband Randy Schlappi; Maggie and Kyle Farlow; Richard, Sarah and Margaret Luck; Helen, Thad and Harrison Moffitt, and great grandchildren Sullivan Mae Schlappi and Adam Christopher Stonewall Petty.      A private memorial service for family and friends will be held at Reverie Place in Randleman, North Carolina which Pastor Kenny Crosswhite will officiate. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the following: Petty Family Foundation 311 Branson Mill Road Randleman, N.C. 27317   A public memorial service will not be held and the family asks for privacy at this time.   The family offered the following statement to the public:   "We wish to sincerely thank everyone who has supported us and our family throughout the years and at this time. We will forever love and miss a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend."