It seems like ages ago when I was 20 but I had one of the biggest thrills of my life.  Unlike many, I hadn't know Paul Newman from his movies.  I knew him from racing.  During his racing career, Mr. Newman raced for Bob Sharp which was based in the in the town next to mine in Connecticut.

I had been watching the Indy 500 since I was about 6 staying up late on Sunday (They tape delayed the race back then).  In 1990, I had the opprtunity to attend the race.  This was my mecca, my holy place as a racing fan.  I was finally going to see the bricks, the flags, the seemingly endless straighaway.  Much to my surprise, I was also going to have breakfast at the Newmann-Haas trailer the day of the race.  It was an opportunity to meet one of my idols, Mario Andretti.  However, much to my surprise, it also gave me the opportunity to meet someone I respected as a racer and team owner.

The day of the race came and after a police escort to the track (which was great!), I entered the hollowed grounds.  Overpowering, mesmerizing don't even touch the surface of how I felt.  Our group made our way to the trailer for breakfast.  My group consisted of mostly 40-50 year olds with myself in a Bart Simpson T-shirt as the spot of ketchup on an otherwise high-end button down shirt. 

Then, there he was, Paul Newman. My more mature fellow enthusiasts began pining over the blue eyes, rugged looks and debating on which movie was his best.  "Cool Hand, Luke....Butch Cassidy...", through the fray of movie titles, I could only think of one question, which I had to have an answer to.

I stood up and approached  Mr. Newman, nervous in meeting someone so famous and accomplished.  With the nervousness of a child who wants to ask Santa for a specific toy, I spoke.

"Mr. Newman, can I ask you a question", I croaked out

"Sure", he repplied hidden behind dark sunglasses (He was shorter then I remember as well"

This has to be strong and to the point.  I need to ask the question, "Do you still race for Bob Sharp?". 

"I sure do"

"I used to live in Bethel"

"Bethel, great little town".

Over the next couple of mintues we spoke about Dr. Mike's homemade ice cream, Bethel Pizza house and numerous other landmarks.  We talked about racing and in the end I wished his team good luck and let him get about to his day.  I walked back to my mature dining partners to wide opened jaws.

To this day, it is one of the most thrilling encounters which I have ever had.  He wasn't Paul Newman the actor, to me he was Paul Newman, racer, owner and enthusiast of life.