A night to honor Brandon Smith at Independence Motor Speedway

Racing family.

Unless you're a part of it, you don't understand what it means.

If you are a part of it, it holds special meaning that words could never do justice.

Our racing family came together Saturday night at Independence Motor Speedway to honor the memory of one of our racing family members. IMCA Northern SportMod driver Brandon Smith, a regular competitor at the speedway, lost his life in an accident in his garage working on a race car following Friday night's Open Wheel Shootout special at the speedway.

When we first hear the news that someone we know has died unexpectedly, we try to wrap our heads around the reality of the situation. Brandon's death seems as surreal now as it did when I first heard about it early Saturday morning. To try to put into words the emotion you feel, the sorrow you feel for his loved ones and the impact we feel as a family when forced to deal with the news is nearly impossible.

Rather than put those emotions into words, we go racing. We surround ourselves with people who share the same passion and love for the sport. We surround ourselves with people who understand us. We desire being with the people who share our pain, share our sorrow and share our loss. We shed tears. We recall memories. We do all those things all other families do. In racing, we are no different. We are family.

The outpouring of support for Brandon was incredible Saturday night. Drivers were approaching me before they even signed in to say they wanted to do something special in his memory. One driver prepared decals with Brandon's #49 for all drivers to display on their cars. Numerous drivers indicated they wanted to give their prize money, no matter how big or small, to his memorial. Everyone wanted to do something to show their respect, to offer their condolences and to show how much the loss of a fellow racer was the loss of a family member.

I turned to promoter Todd Summers just before hot laps and mentioned to him that we had a lot to do prior to racing and we had bad weather on the way. His words to me were, "This tribute is what's important. We can get rained out after we pay our respects. I don't care. Tonight, the racing doesn't matter."

The pit area emptied following hot laps and prior to the national anthem as drivers and crew members made their way to turns three and four to pay their respects in a moment of silence. Fans in the grandstands sat through two rain delays to watch Saturday night's program, many of them also donating money to his memorial. They remained standing for multiple parade laps for the SportMod feature and paid their respects when the pole position remained open in his honor prior to the start of the feature.

It was a somber, sad and emotional night, yet it was uplifting to be a part of something so special. To see so many offer their support through consoling words to Brandon's family or by offering money toward the memorial, people in Independence did what racing family does for each other.

Prior to the show, I mentioned to fellow track officials that Brandon's girlfriend, Stephanie, decided to attend Saturday night's races. Although she was rightfully reluctant, she said she attended the races with family because that's where Brandon would have wanted her to be. I admired her strength, as well as the strength of the Smith family, for being there. I questioned if I would have had the same strength to be there if the pain and emotion was so fresh. I'm not so sure I would have been able to do it.

As the show went on, however, I realized there was a reason Stephanie, her family and the Smith family went to the races Saturday night. It all came back to what we do as a racing family. When you're grieving, struggling or questioning why life has dealt you a certain hand, you surround yourself with those who help you through each day. They did nothing more than spend their night with their family. Their racing family.

There are no words any of us can convey to the Smith family or to Stephanie that will ease the pain they are feeling. I'm tempted to believe that's not what they're seeking, anyway. Simply knowing their racing family is here for them is what will help them through this tragedy.

On behalf of S&B Promotions and the entire crew at Independence Motor Speedway, our hearts go out to Brandon's family and friends. Rest in peace, Brandon.