I’m just gutted for the entire team. Heartbreaking story
It’s not like it was some dive biker bar either. According to my sources It was a nice bar/restaurant about 20ft from their hotel. The were about to leave to go home when the goon jumped on the table and kick Evan’s (in the head) unprovoked. The autopsy is to determine if it was the initial blow or the fall that killed him. I guess that will determine the severity of the charges against the braintrust of douchebags that think attacking people for sport is “fun”
From everyone I’ve talked to this morning, it is unanimous that Davey Evans was one of the “nicest guys in the paddock”. I didn’t deal directly with him by any means, but when I received the picture this morning I knew exactly who he was and know I have spoken with and shared a smile and laugh with at the track.
There is oddly NO mention of this on any official Indy news site. I guess “they” (whomever they are) are trying to either snuff it out or spin it so as not to draw any negative press to Indianapolis or the race.
Not what I wanted to start my day/week talking about.
I’ll save my weekend wrap up for later…
UPDATE:
I still find it incredible that there has been virtually NO mention of this incident in the mainstream. (it’s now 5:15pm EDT) Very weird.
Davey was a much loved crew member that was with Newman-Haas since the virtually the beginning (40 or so yrs according to various friends) Current and past crew members from many teams in the paddock are just in shock that this mild mannered gentleman died in such a vicious and senseless way.
The weird thing is, as a motorsports writer, I prepare myself weekly for the possibility that I will have to write condolences and an obituary type article. It’s the nature of the beast. But this… this was just so… stupid for lack of a better word. My heart goes out to his girlfriend. I’m sure she too prepared herself for something happening at the track or in the shop, but this? Not this.
Just goes to show you you never know what’s around the corner.
I’m torn between sadness, ridiculous anger and a need to make changes in my life. It’s too short to not be living it to the fullest.
If you’re reading this today, be happy wherever you are.
Call your friends, hug your loved ones, make your day count. Appreciate the life that those vile punks showed such disregard for.
