A 9/11 Story
NASCAR is a sport focused on the fans. Time and time again, we have always made it our mission to serve the fans. As we approach the anniversary of 9/11, I share with you a story of how one fan turned tragedy into triumph.
Let me introduce you to Rob Quillen. Rob’s story is unique and after 10 years, with permission from Captain Jason Dahl’s widow, he has inked his memories in a new book titled, Why Wait? A 9/11 Story.
"When we were getting ready to take off, the stewardess came over and told the two guys next to me they were in the wrong seats. They moved them and Jason (Dahl) came down and sat next to me," said Quillen, slowly choosing his words. " He was in a suit. He said, 'Hey, do you work for Jeff Gordon?' I was wearing a Jeff Gordon polo shirt. I said, 'No, I'm just a big fan.' He said, 'My son and I are, too.”
During the four-hour flight from Denver to New York, Quillen and Captain Jason Dahl bonded deeply, discussing careers, goals, families and racing. Dahl and his son, Matt, dreamed of going to a NASCAR race and meeting their hero, driver Jeff Gordon. Quillen had two extra tickets for the race at Kansas Speedway later that month. He couldn't arrange a meeting with Gordon, but promised to get the Dahls in to see that race.
When Captain Dahl died the next day, Quillen resolved to make good on his promise and take Matt to that race. With the help of many people, including NASCAR, ESPN and NBC television, he got Matt Dahl to the race as Gordon's special guest.
Quillen tells this story in Why Wait? A 9/11 Story.
"The book is about a simple life lesson for everyone: Why do we wait to help dreams for other people come true before it is too late?" Quillen said. "All of us have the amazing power to help dreams come true for someone else - you just have to make the decision to do it. It's never too late for an act of kindness."
Proceeds from the sale of this book will be going to the Captain Jason Dahl Scholarship Fund which is a 501c3 non-profit program that provides aviation students a scholarship grant in Jason’s name. To learn more, I invite you to visit www.headlinebooks.com.
For those of you reading this who are planning on attending this weekend's NASCAR race events at Richmond International Raceway, I invite you to stop by and meet Rob Quillen. Rob will be signing autographs at the Official NASCAR Trackside Merchandise Trailer on Friday and Saturday starting at 1:30 p.m. Rob is also going to be interviewed by ESPN on Saturday at 11:00 a.m.
Janet Bolin
Let me introduce you to Rob Quillen. Rob’s story is unique and after 10 years, with permission from Captain Jason Dahl’s widow, he has inked his memories in a new book titled, Why Wait? A 9/11 Story.
"When we were getting ready to take off, the stewardess came over and told the two guys next to me they were in the wrong seats. They moved them and Jason (Dahl) came down and sat next to me," said Quillen, slowly choosing his words. " He was in a suit. He said, 'Hey, do you work for Jeff Gordon?' I was wearing a Jeff Gordon polo shirt. I said, 'No, I'm just a big fan.' He said, 'My son and I are, too.”
Captain Jason Dahl
During the four-hour flight from Denver to New York, Quillen and Captain Jason Dahl bonded deeply, discussing careers, goals, families and racing. Dahl and his son, Matt, dreamed of going to a NASCAR race and meeting their hero, driver Jeff Gordon. Quillen had two extra tickets for the race at Kansas Speedway later that month. He couldn't arrange a meeting with Gordon, but promised to get the Dahls in to see that race.
When Captain Dahl died the next day, Quillen resolved to make good on his promise and take Matt to that race. With the help of many people, including NASCAR, ESPN and NBC television, he got Matt Dahl to the race as Gordon's special guest.
Quillen tells this story in Why Wait? A 9/11 Story.
"The book is about a simple life lesson for everyone: Why do we wait to help dreams for other people come true before it is too late?" Quillen said. "All of us have the amazing power to help dreams come true for someone else - you just have to make the decision to do it. It's never too late for an act of kindness."
Proceeds from the sale of this book will be going to the Captain Jason Dahl Scholarship Fund which is a 501c3 non-profit program that provides aviation students a scholarship grant in Jason’s name. To learn more, I invite you to visit www.headlinebooks.com.
For those of you reading this who are planning on attending this weekend's NASCAR race events at Richmond International Raceway, I invite you to stop by and meet Rob Quillen. Rob will be signing autographs at the Official NASCAR Trackside Merchandise Trailer on Friday and Saturday starting at 1:30 p.m. Rob is also going to be interviewed by ESPN on Saturday at 11:00 a.m.
Janet Bolin
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