Community Cares - RacingWest


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Nov 22, 2008

THOUSAND OAKS, California -- Danny Grill was released from his duties at NASCAR effective this morning. Grill had been involved with the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Series since 1987. He will be missed at the opener and he will be missed at the last race and he will be missed at all the races in between.

Grill, was the director of the NASCAR SW and NW Tour. He had also served as director of the NASCAR AutoZone West Series. He was working towards a goal of bringing the Tour back up to what it had once been, until NASCAR announced that 2006 would be the last year for the Tour.

The news was as much of a surprise to the racers as it was to Grill. But he planned to stay with the Tour until the last car left the track. In fact he wanted to see it through to the end.

It is not known who will take over the job of directing the final season of the NASCAR NW and SW Tour. Emails sent to NASCAR have not yet been answered.

Grill said he would be taking some time off this weekend seeing friends he hasn’t seen in a long time and spending time with his new grandbaby, Caitlyn, who was born yesterday.

For those that want to say how much Danny has meant to them, please feel free to leave your thoughts, words of encouragement, thanks.

.: Community Cares Index

Gary Jenkins
Danny all I can say is you were the best man for the job, and we always believe you did a fantastic job. It has always been a pleasure working with you and your friendship means alot to me. I hope to see you around Irwindale Speedway and remember when one door closes another one opens. I will be praying for you and your family. Enjoy some time off and time with your new Granddaughter! Remember you will not be able to turn the clock back
Tdeery
As a door closes, another will open! You have the memories. They can never be taken away!
Clay Winchester
To our NASCAR Offical, Danny you were fair and always a very honest person. Even though we have not been a part of NASCAR for a couple of years. From Harry Brady to Dennis Dyer you have always treated us with the utmost respect. You have our respect and you will go very far because of the respect you have showed by the racers. Godbless you and Debbie and the kids and Grandchildren. Danny you are the best, no one will ever take your place. Clay and Debbie
VETTE
Seems stupid for them to fire you with one season to go.
Eric Gress
Nascar to-do-list #1. Get rid of all elite touring series. #2. Get rid of anyone who was of value to the series. Danny, you will be missed. You were harsh and straightforward at times, but we all knew where you stood. And it didn't matter if we were a regular on the series or a part timer. Enjoy the time off and your new granddaughter. Eric Gress
Evans Racing Enterprises
It was wierd going to sign in at the credentials trailer in Phoenix and you not being around giving everybody a big smile and saying hello. We will miss you in this series. We were looking forward to making the last year of our Northwest Series as good as the first. You were committed to this series and for that all of the racers should be grateful. Most importantly, you were a man of integrity and honesty. When you had be an *!@ and uphold a rule, you did it and the next weekend it was nothing. Good luck to you in the future.
McKean Racing Family
Danny you will be missed by most all the racers, but am sure you will find a better job with a better reputation the you had before. God be with you and enjoy that grandchild you neve know what tomorrow holds.
Michael B. Medlin
To my Friend Danny, After hearing the news about our beloved Tour, I felt like I lost my family. Now with this news, I feel like I lost my Brother. Only therapy can help me now! Danny, from the moment I met you in 89, standing in Hornaday’s garage, you have always treated everyone fairly. Even when we were on opposite teams, Orange Show, Hornaday Vs. Hooper, a crashed car, you have always been fair, even when you were yelling at me. When you became the Director of the Tour, I knew it would only be positive. Your knowledge and your ability to get everyone in line with the rules was remarkable. But you did it, and in that created the Best series that racing has seen in a long time. You are my friend and you will be sorely missed. Hopefully, we can all help you build that new door. I know that I speak for every member of our team, you and your family have our complete respect and thankfulness. Michael B. Medlin Team Manager Rip Michels Racing, Inc.
Greg & Michelle Fowler
Sorry to hear the news!! You were a true asset to all of the racers & we will miss you!! Thanks for always CARING!! Congrats on your new grandbaby!! Lots of Luck to YA....
northwestracing
Heart, Soul and Caring isn't part of the new Nascar. For that I am sorry. Danny we will miss you! Everyone has different opinions. With you, everyone could share them, and know it didn't effect their relationship and respect from you. Most know you poured 100 percent into Nascar and making their programs work. Having this ripped away seems unjust. Shame on Nascar, with their family values motto. This isn't how you treat a family member. Heal your soul. Bounce back. There are many who will need you in the future.
Performance Motorsports/Joe Nava
A lot of years ago you helped me get my hauler out of the mess at Altamont. Everyone was screaming bloody murder about them not being let out. You told them "Those guys just totaled 2 cars in less than a week, I'm letting them go home." It just goes to show that your heart was there for us racers. Thanks Danny and good luck!
Motorshooters
Thanks Danny for all the years of the best racing in the west. Just like Ron and Wendy said but when that door is closed in your face, build your own door and no one can close that door but you big D!
Wilbur
This really bites our whole team will miss his leadership i think he was great for the NW and i think he was good for all the other officials also , and what a great guy too, it will be some big shoes to fill Wilbur
Ron & Wendy Zajicek
Danny, It has always been a pleasure working with you and your friendship means alot to us. I will see you around the track and remember when one door closes another one opens. Congratulation on your new granddaughter. We wish you all the best!
LaMoure
Enjoy the time off Danny Darrell
Loverock Motorsports
All's I can say is you are the best man for the job, and we all believe you did a fantastic job, we will miss you.
Denny Strimple
Danny-it has been a pleasure working with you and I am surprised that I won't be working with you this year. Wishing you the best and hope to run into you from time to time.
Tim Smith
It was a rough start, but I came to know you as "The Man". I always looked forward to saying "hi" when we ran with the tour. I hope all works out well for you and I am sure it will. Many will miss you including I. Best of Luck.
Dave Reed
Danny, everything happens for a reason, good luck in the future and thanx for all the great times!!!!! You are a great guy and did a fantasic job in the SWS. Although I have not been around much in the last few years when I did go to the track it was always good to see a friendly face.
Darren Scriver aka Budah
Danny it was a privellege to work with you. Even back in the days with Hamlin when we came south you were ALWAYS a class act and treated every racer as fair as possible whether they were a longtime series competitor or a brand new team out for one race. Nascar has made some odd moves lately but this has to be the oddest yet. Have fun with your new grandbaby and come around sometime. The Entire DS Racing Family
doug pace
danny grill...you're a class act and it's a sad state of affairs when you have been "released" by NASCAR. You deserve better after the years you've given them
mike trottochau
Danny- Many thanks for all your help through years. I too am looking forward to visiting with You a little more! I don't think NASCAR will find anyone else who looks out for the racers like You! Perhaps the prayers should be with NASCAR and their series.
MROA Chaplain Bob Elliff
Danny, I was looking forward to working with you again this year. I will be praying for you and your family. Hey, enjoy some time off and time with your new granddaughter! I'll be praying for everyone in the SW tour too. May God bless the time we have together at PIR and thoughout the season.
MROA Chaplain Charlie Staley
Danny you will be missed. Thanks for the support you gave me the last two years. I'm sure we will run into each other at some racing event. It has been a pleasure working with you. You are in our prayers.
Betty Martin
Ditto!
janet
There is no question I will see you around, maybe at Irwindale, maybe the new Mesa at Kern, for that I am glad. I may have had differences with you but it was always just becuase you were doing your job for NASCAR. It would have meant a lot to the racers to have you there with them to the end of the Tour, but I guess it wasn't to be. I will miss you very much. Hard to think of the Tour and not think of you. I wish you all the best and I am sorry this happened. I keep thinking it is not real. That you will be there at PIR.