An open letter to the fans at Luxemburg Speedway:

For a guy who's never at a loss of words either spoken or in print I'm finding it rather tough to come up with the right things to say to you this evening. Some of you may or may not now that my four year battle with cancer has been taken to the next level.

On September 20 I'll be heading down to Freodert Memorial Hospital for a bone marrow transplant. I'll be down there for three weeks and will probably be off of work for the rest of the year. Over the years in the back of my mind I've always known this day was coming and in all honesty there hasn't been one single day since I was diagnosed on September 12 of 2000 when I haven't thought of this dreaded disease.

Doctors think this is the best chance I've got for this cancer to stay away, hopefully for good. My extended family in the racing community has always been there for me and will continue to be. I've used racing to forget about my problems and get paid to do something I truly love. Racing has been the best release for me to forget about my health problems. Racing's been a part of my life since I was a young kid. It's in my blood and it will likely never leave.

While we all enjoy the races, please keep this in mind. I don't care how young or old you are. Tell your wife, husband, kids, parents, all family members you love 'em. Every day. Don't be shy. If they're not race fans, make time with them. Life is short, folks. It's also a gift. Every single day is a gift. Each day I have with my family I truly cherish it, whether it's teaching the kid's a new football play we've drawn up, trying some new "hot" bass lure at the place up north or cuddling up with the family on a Saturday night during the winter watching television cherish every single minute you've got with your family, especially with the kids.

Tom Wagner gave me some great advice when we announced the Chilton Fall Classic in 2000 weeks after I was diagnosed. He told me to spend some extra time with family. Let 'em know you love 'em. Tom, I've taken the advice and while I'm the farthest thing from perfect, if I were to leave this earth tomorrow (which I have no intentions of) my family knows they're the most important thing in my life.

So have fun tonight. I will especially miss the "Battle of the Burg III" and the first ever two day classic. Rest assured I'll be calling the action with Tom next fall for the "Battle of the Burg IV."

God bless you all and we'll see you at the banquet this winter.


Your friend in racing,


Joe Verdegan

P.S. "Smokin Joe" LeBotte will also be down in Freodert the same time as me. I'm sure we'll be doing a little "bench racing" while we're down there. Keep Joe in your thoughts and prayers.