Number 85

I met my teenage idol

in nineteen ninety-two;

his life had been a trial,

but still he powered through.

Because of operations

on spine and tibia,

he surpassed expectations

with spina bifida.

The wheelchair didn't stop him;

he always found a way-

no one was more deserving

of seeing bounds puréed.

And when his will was tested,

he never lost his smile;

so easy I invested-

a step dad quite worthwhile.

He loved me absolutely;

I always rode along-

an avid little groupie

who listened to his songs.

On Thursdays he went racing-

a place called Thunder Road;

I watched the Legends chasing

each other tail to nose.

Those summer nights were thrilling

with infield dirt aflight;

and though he wasn't winning,

he would not move aside.

The budget car got battered

whenever he'd compete;

on weekends family gathered

to help him patch his steed.

Despite the constant struggle,

he rose above it all,

but one night he was muscled

and pushed a bit too far.

The final lap upon them,

he's shoved to second place;

he tapped the car and spun 'em,

thus winning his first race!