By Jack Smith

This coming Saturday night, February 5th, New Smyrna Speedway hosts the Orange Blossom / Pete Orr 100, a race dedicated these days to the memory of one of Florida’s most memorable and beloved racers. Back in the day Pete Orr dominated the annual Orange Blossom race and fittingly it became the race to remember this very special member of Florida’s racing fraternity.

On a rainy day in 2004 at New Smyrna Speedway we presented for the first time the Pete Orr Sportsmanship Award. It went to a young driver who was making headlines throughout the year racing in the Florida Pro Series as well as FASCAR sanctioned late models. Jay Middleton impressed with not just his driving skills and dedication, but his gentlemanly ways as well.

One of the most memorable winners of this award for me was Bobby Sears.  One of the most humble drivers, teachers, friends and race champions in Florida was Mr Sears. The genuine emotion that night felt by everyone present showed what the Pete Orr Sportsmanship Award truly meant to those who have received it.

PETE ORR was only 46 when he left this world, but Pete was a man who created more friends, admirers, and respect than most men could imagine in any lifetime.

KARNAC.com did a tribute radio show in 2007 and the list of folks who contributed says it all. Darrell Waltrip, Scott Reeves, David Green, Mike Cope, Travis Kittleson, Justin Drawdy, B.J. McLeod, then State Senator Bill Posey, David Russell, Leroy Porter and Lee Faulk were some of those who were on the show and talked about Pete’s contribution to the sport and his dedication.

On and off the race track he was looked upon as a man of honor and integrity. Not only as a great race car driver, but as a great teacher.

“Pete Orr was second to none in his giving spirit, personality and willingness to help a fellow competitor. He will be greatly missed by many he never knew who held him in high esteem. He was the example!” , posted one race fan on a message board.

Bob McDowell perhaps best put things into focus: “A pioneer of friendship and love, A true hero in our hearts was this man, A man who didn’t know or even realize the word quit.”

Travis Kittleson, a successful driver from Florida,  was a student of Pete Orr “I was blessed enough to have worked with him, not a day went by with out a laugh not a day went by with out learning something new about racing or life. He taught me many things gave me confidence on the track. He was one of the best. I will never forget what we shared and what I learned. I have done a lot of traveling and there wasn’t a place I have been where I was not asked about him, he will always be a legend.”

As for my own impressions: I first met Pete Orr in late 1997 or early 1988 when he was working with a young driver by the name of B.J. McLeod. My first impression of the man was that this was a very special person. In my travels in and around stock car racing since then, in a sport and a business that has it’s gritty side at times, Pete Orr has always stood out as an example of integrity and professionalism. As I look back on the previous winners of this award I think Pete would be proud of each of them.  In my 15 years of media involvement in Florida racing, there is nothing compares to the pride of being involved in the annual presentation of this award along with Pete’s son Bobby Orr.

We need to grow more racers like Pete Orr, which is the reason we created the Pete Orr Sportsmanship Award.

Previous Award Winners
2011 To Be Awarded Feb 5, 2011
Not Awarded in 2010
Chad Pierce    2009
Tim Russell    2008
Bobby Sears    2007
Brian Finney   2006
Lee Collins –  2005
Jay Middleton  2004

You can listen to the two and a half hour broadcast of the Pete Orr Tribute show and read much more about the life and racing times, with photos, of Pete Orr at this link: www.karnac.com/floridahistory/ (follow links to Pete Orr Sportsmanship Award).