[bmedeirs]

I’d like to tell a short story how I met Al Mark. When I was returning to stock racing after being away for 30 years I ask my old friend Bob Broadbent if he knew anyone who could help me in the current staging process. He said to look up Al Mark when I got to Lebanon Valley Dragway. I walked to a small group of racers at the end of the staging lane an asked if anyone knew Al Mark. This one guy said, “you’re speaking to him”. I proceeded to explain my request. Al said that he would help me. He said that he would pull his car out of the staging lane for time trails and would go to the starting line with me. He explained the hand signals that he was going to use and the process of the burn out and staging. He then staged me in the pre-stage light and slowly signaled me into the stage light. After that he congratulated me on a good first run.
I retold this story to Al a few years later and let him know how impressed I was the he had taken the time to help a total stranger and that I would always listen to and respect his advice. Al was always ready to help. I will miss him and I am glad that I was able to call him my friend.