Chris Wertman RIP

GarysZ24 · 08-05-2010, 10:21 PM

This ultra sad announcement is hard for me to come to grips with...no more "Drooze"? I've been away from this site since last week due there being no racing since the Mile Highs (now sadly Chris' last race, when he was just getting his new cars tires wet).

As we got to know of him, he was so full of life...so optimistic...saw the positive in spite of the challenge before him (which underscores why it now seems befitting that his last race car was a Challenger!). Furthermore, his threads were some I always looked forward to reading. Drooze showed me our sport isn't about the cars (although the diversity of the combos we race is nice), but it's the people...people like Drooze! I never met him (sadly), but I was hoping someday to have that pleasure at one of the tracks on the western side of our great nation. Sadly, I won't get that opportunity, but I sure would've enjoyed a good brew, or other beverage with him while talking about our favorite sport. I guess now, I'll have to wait and plan to join him in quarter-mile heaven....

I couldn't believe my eyes when I noticed the other thread about a memorial fund for him. How could this be that the same racer who's plaudits I enjoyed reading about just two weekends ago in Denver, would be the same racer this thread would be about the weekend after? We lost one of the best people associated with drag racing that our sport will ever know, and WAY TOO SOON!!! So young, and with so much hope, and inspiration not just for those who knew him, but for those of us who followed his plights, and travels...his was one of the threads I most enjoyed reading about on this forum. David, your son must've been an awesome young man, partner, and friend for you. Mandie & Keith, being a teammate and friend to Chris, must've been one of the greatest blessings either of you could ever have. To his children, what a dad you had the pleasure of sharing such joys with...as that expressed in the photo taken of all four of you in the pool. I can only pray that GOD BLESSES & COMFORTS YOU ALL, as you try to cope with this very heart wrenching loss, of a great son, father, teammate, and friend. My heart, and prayers to you all...Indy will not be the same, but hopefully with his goodness smiling from above, all who compete there (and everywhere he did), will take some gratitude for his upbeat, never give up demeanor....I know I will the next time I strap my helmet on...THANKS DROOZE...REST WELL CHRIS, REST WELL.....

08-05-2010, 10:21 PM	#1
GarysZ24 VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Tempe, Az. Posts: 1,266 Likes: 905 Liked 235 Times in 92 Posts	Re: Chris Wertman RIP This ultra sad announcement is hard for me to come to grips with...no more "Drooze"? I've been away from this site since last week due there being no racing since the Mile Highs (now sadly Chris' last race, when he was just getting his new cars tires wet). As we got to know of him, he was so full of life...so optimistic...saw the positive in spite of the challenge before him (which underscores why it now seems befitting that his last race car was a Challenger!). Furthermore, his threads were some I always looked forward to reading. Drooze showed me our sport isn't about the cars (although the diversity of the combos we race is nice), but it's the people...people like Drooze! I never met him (sadly), but I was hoping someday to have that pleasure at one of the tracks on the western side of our great nation. Sadly, I won't get that opportunity, but I sure would've enjoyed a good brew, or other beverage with him while talking about our favorite sport. I guess now, I'll have to wait and plan to join him in quarter-mile heaven.... I couldn't believe my eyes when I noticed the other thread about a memorial fund for him. How could this be that the same racer who's plaudits I enjoyed reading about just two weekends ago in Denver, would be the same racer this thread would be about the weekend after? We lost one of the best people associated with drag racing that our sport will ever know, and WAY TOO SOON!!! So young, and with so much hope, and inspiration not just for those who knew him, but for those of us who followed his plights, and travels...his was one of the threads I most enjoyed reading about on this forum. David, your son must've been an awesome young man, partner, and friend for you. Mandie & Keith, being a teammate and friend to Chris, must've been one of the greatest blessings either of you could ever have. To his children, what a dad you had the pleasure of sharing such joys with...as that expressed in the photo taken of all four of you in the pool. I can only pray that GOD BLESSES & COMFORTS YOU ALL, as you try to cope with this very heart wrenching loss, of a great son, father, teammate, and friend. My heart, and prayers to you all...Indy will not be the same, but hopefully with his goodness smiling from above, all who compete there (and everywhere he did), will take some gratitude for his upbeat, never give up demeanor....I know I will the next time I strap my helmet on...THANKS DROOZE...REST WELL CHRIS, REST WELL..... __________________ Gary Hampton '86 Z24,173 V6 CF/S #5824 (#78 in 2021) Last edited by GarysZ24; 08-06-2010 at 02:27 PM.