Re: Chris Wertman RIP
 

Speechless. :(

Godspeed Drooze.

Re: Chris Wertman RIP
 

Godspeed Drooze. You will be missed.
My condolences to the Wertman family. :(

Re: Chris Wertman RIP
 

Horrible news, Chris had more energy than anyone here. RIP

Re: Chris Wertman RIP
 

RIP Drooze.

Re: Chris Wertman RIP
 

After reading his numerous posts, you almost feel like you knew him even if you never met him personally. It seems incredible that the most unexpected thing in the world like this could happen and take someone like this.On behalf of the entire Stock/Super Stock community(and they are numerous,judging by the response)I extend my ultimate condolences to all, his family and father, Mandie, and all who were involved with this fine man's illustrious life. May God reach,touch and comfort all of you at a time like this.

Re: Chris Wertman RIP
 

Such sad news. RIP Drooze. The man had passion. Thoughts and prayers to family and friends.

Re: Chris Wertman RIP
 

I too, have not met "Drooze", but have had email conversations with he and his dad. Mopar has lost a big supporter of the DP program. Drooze had his own slant on how to make the "program" work, but his passion for life and racing were great. He had a bright future in the sport and he will truly be missed. God speed Drooze and we will all think of you when we see those DP's make a pass. You will live on in our hearts as a fellow racer taken too young.

Re: Chris Wertman RIP
 

Wow....RIP Chris.....

Rock Haas

Re: Chris Wertman RIP
 

RIP and Godspeed Chris-After Thousands of miles towing, many with little sleep, countless hours in "shop" environments where accidents frequently happen, we lose one of our most colorful and dedicated brothers-to a house fire!! Condolences to Family and friends and a reminder to us all-life is short, LIve, Love Laugh.....few of us know when it will be over. We will miss you Drooze!

Re: Chris Wertman RIP
 

Very sad. RIP Chris.

Jim & Pam

Re: Chris Wertman RIP
 

Though we had never met him, we looked forward to racing with him someday. Reading this hit me like a ton of bricks this morning. The racing community truly is a family and he was a big part of it, even if we only knew him from here. Chris' creativity, positive "never give up" energy and enthusiasm will be sorely missed.

Draw inspiration from his passion, and let us all take this as a big reminder that we need to live each day as though it's our last - you never know when it will be your time to go.

Our sincere condolences to his kids, family and friends from us at Moneymaker Racing . . . Alex, Beth & Tony.

Re: Chris Wertman RIP
 

I thought it was a bad joke but it is a nightmare.....That boy sure did have a passion for life.

My thoughts and prayer are for Chris, his family, friends and all of us including me who are missing what is important in life.

Godspeed Chris.

Re: Chris Wertman RIP
 

I sat here and started a reply four times and just couldn't find the right words to say. To say Drooze will be missed is an understatement. Whether you liked Drooze or not it's been a long, long time(if ever) since I saw anyone here with so much energy and enthusiasm and I think he gained many friends and admirers just because of it and I know he provided my world with much inspiration and laughter. Although I never got to meet him in person and looked forward to it, Drooze's light shown brightly(in Stock/Superstock) racing for a short time but will live with many of us for a long, long time.
Godspeed Chris and my condolences to the Wertman family and Mandie.

Re: Chris Wertman RIP
 

Horible news, Our hearts and prayers go out to his family.

Re: Chris Wertman RIP
 

I'm stunned. I met Chris at Bandimere a week ago yesterday. This is so sad. He will be missed.

Godspeed Chris. Prayers and condolences to his family.

Re: Chris Wertman RIP
 

This report goes into more detail of what happened:

http://www.ohio.com/news/99740134.html

I thought they were turning the corner after Denver, and now this.

Re: Chris Wertman RIP
 

Our deepest simpathy and condolences go out to his family and friends. R.I.P. Chris

Re: Chris Wertman RIP
 

My sympathy to the family. Class Racer and the new Mopars won't be the same. RIP

Re: Chris Wertman RIP
 

Words truly escape me, those of you who know me know that doesn't happen very often. Chris and I were working on the web site for the SSSSA and spoke only a few days ago. I am absolutely numb right now. God speed Chris "Drooze" Wertman.

In my former working life I was a Firefighter/ Paramedic for 33 years. Let this be a learning experience to all of us, SMOKE DETECTORS SAVE LIVES!

God bless Mandie and the rest of the Wertman family. If there is anything I or the Southern Stock / Super Stock Association can do for you please contact me. Jim

Re: Chris Wertman RIP
 

Truely unbelievable...Had the honor of meeting Chris and Mandie at Denver last week. He was overflowing with thoughts, ideas, plans, etc. Just goes to show that our time could be up today or tomorrow. We just never know. Our prayers and sympathies go out to the entire Wertman Family, the Lynch's, and friends.

Mike, Jim, Barb, Bob, Bev, Dave
Voth Family Racing

Re: Chris Wertman RIP
 

Deb and I had the honor of meeting Chris ,David and mandie at the Miles Highs last week..We went up to welcome them to Colorado and our race, but, after a short visit we felt we were the ones welcomed in to their family..Truly some of the nicest people in our sport..Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and Mandie....Chris... you are missed.

Dic & Debbie Geary

Re: Chris Wertman RIP
 

Very sad to read this today. I had not spoken with him or emailed him, but I was looking forward to meeting him at Indy and congradulating him on his efforts and passion, and wanted to thank him for making class racer interesting during the doldrums of winter and the off season. By reading his posts you know the guy lived life to the fullest. And that is something we all should do. It is a shame he is gone in his prime. My prayers and thoughts go to his family and friends and NHR. I am sure his family is proud of who he was and is, and they should be.

RIP "Drooze".

Re: Chris Wertman RIP
 

I too was shocked to read this. I had never met Chris, but talked to him a few times on here and on Facebook. R.I.P. Chris and Godspeed.

Re: Chris Wertman RIP
 

Our thoughts and prayers are with David and the rest of his family and friends. We saw them all at Denver last week and it is just unbelievable that he is gone. RIP "Drooze"

Patsy & Larry

Re: Chris Wertman RIP
 

Re: Chris Wertman RIP
 

This is a very sad day for the racing family, alot of us lost a good friend we never knew.

RIP Drooze

Hammer

Re: Chris Wertman RIP
 

My sincere thanks to all who posted here. Chris was indeed a unique individual and my best friend, as well as my only child.

Most people will never know how truly brilliant he was, and he always flavored that intelligence with wit and humor. He could see things from a perspective that was indeed unique, and he was never afraid to step into the unknown as he learned a great deal from every life experience, good or bad.

He was a dedicated son and even more dedicated father. Continue to pray for his children. 13 year old David Michael Wertman is expecially hard hit by the loss. Max, 6 years old and Isabella, also know that Dad is gone, but don't have the perspective to understand what that really means. Some of the sting is muted by the time over the last couple of weeks that David Michael was with chris, and the last week the two younger ones were also. At least they have that time as a memory to hold for all time.

Nobody expects their children to go before them. And as have been observed here, the truth is that Nobody is promised tomorrow. Live every day as if it is your last. It may be. Make sure that the ones you love, know that you love them every day. Apologize to everyone you have wronged, and forgive everyone who has wronged you. Even if you live forever, life is still too short. Live it as fully as you can.

Drag Pak #24 was largely a product of Chris' efforts. And it will go forward as long as I can keep it going. We still need to get down the track competively, but have no fear, that is about to happen. We will start laying down records and living up to everything that Chris said.

I faced my own mortality when diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, and can face this only though my faith in God, through my savior Jesus Christ. That doesn't mean that it is easy, but it does mean that I am not alone in my grief! He is with me.

Thanks again for your thoughs, good wishes, and prayers.

David

Re: Chris Wertman RIP
 

I would also like to send something as well. Keep me posted. Thank you.

Re: Chris Wertman RIP
 

David, Please know that you are not alone!!! Please know this! God Bless You Dad. Jim

Re: Chris Wertman RIP
 

Shocked beyond belief ! RIP, my friend , Godspeed, we'll miss you .....John

Re: Chris Wertman RIP
 

David, To you also my Prayers , for your losing your son and friend, and I wish you the best Luck with your ongoing health problems !.......John

Re: Chris Wertman RIP
 

Best wishes to David and all of the family. As a retired career firefighter I know about fire behavior. When I see an incident where an able bodied man is not able to escape, I think that it could have been alot worse if kids or elderly had been there as well. I would like to see all of our racing community check their smoke detectors/alarms, replace that battery, practice fire safety, and do drills with the children. I have some very good information for fire safety. (Send me a PM). There could be many things that caused this fire tragedy, I feel that a combination of things/events led to this fatal fire.

Wade Mahaffey

Re: Chris Wertman RIP
 

Unbelievable

Life is fragile

You never know

Spend your time wisely with your famaily and friends

Cherish every day

Chris you will be missed here but most of all by your children

Re: Chris Wertman RIP
 

Our thoughts and wishes go out to David and the Wertman family. It saddens me deeply when someone has to bury their son or daughter. Chris will be missed.
:(

Larry And Heather Curtis
Chuck and Diane Lofgren

Re: Chris Wertman RIP
 

Like most on this board, I imagine, I never met or conversed with Drooze, but he sure stirred up this site in the short time he was on it, didn`t he? With all the mishaps (broken engines, missed races, and "light" scales), he just smiled and kept on truckin`, when most would have thrown in the towel. Chris may have been contraversial, but never boring! My condolances to his family & friends.

Re: Chris Wertman RIP
 

David,

May God Bless You and your loved ones.
Only the Lord can fill the void in your heart with His Love and Comfort.

There is no pain like the loss of a child. Been there myself when I experienced the loss of my oldest son 5 years ago.
There are others here in this community that also have experienced the loss of a child and we are all here for you and your family anytime you need us.
God Bless.

Re: Chris Wertman RIP
 

Wow...what a sad day...

Re: Chris Wertman RIP
 

Had hoped to get to Indy this year and meet him, would have been an interesting conversation I'm sure. Having older friends who have lost children from birth thru 60, it is never easy. He will be missed.

Re: Chris Wertman RIP
 

At first, I thought this was another joke. Stunned doesn't even begin to describe the way I'm feeling right now.

I admired Drooze's competitive spirit from afar and had hoped to meet him someday. My condolences go out to his family and friends.

Re: Chris Wertman RIP
 

Absolutely shocked. What a loss for his family. David, and Mandie, we are all truly sorry for the hole you feel now. I laughed at him, and with him at some of his stuff, but enjoyed it all. Prayers for his children, from my house, too.

He's likely the best dressed one in the staging lanes there, from the Award in Denver !

RIP Chris !