Jerry Nadeau Talks About His Future

kat2220

kat2220

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Nadeau talks about the future: More than 18 months after the crash that nearly took his life, Jerry Nadeau told MRN Radio/Sirius Speedway host Dave Moody that he is not sure he will ever return to the ****pit. "I can't find the fire I used to have," said Nadeau, "and I'm getting sick of waiting for that light switch to turn on in my brain. My doctors say it could take another year for me to get everything back that I'm going to get, and while I feel like I'm getting better every day, I'm starting to face the fact that I might not be able to race for a living anymore.
"I bumped my head pretty good in that wreck, and the doctors say if it happens again, I might not wake up this time. I'm not sure I want to take that chance. I have an 18-month old daughter now, and the last year and a half has given me a healthy dose of the big picture. When I laid in that hospital bed in a coma for three weeks, my race car never came to visit me. My family was there, and my friends. I know how it hurt them to watch me those three weeks, and I'm not sure I want to take a chance on putting them through that ever again.
"I haven't made a decision yet, and I'm still acting like I'm coming back. I go to the gym every other day, I practice on the simulator...the whole deal. But a part of me is starting to feel like, `if it hasn't happened yet, it's not going to happen. Maybe it's time to move on.' I'm not getting any younger, and with the way this sport is going, I'm not sure the opportunities will be there for me in another year.
"I would love to find a way to work with young racers, maybe as part of NASCAR's Drive for Diversity Program," said Nadeau. "I would love to spot for someone, or work as a pit reporter. I have also enjoyed speaking to groups about what I went through in racing; both the good and the bad. I feel like I still have something to offer, whether I ever drive again or not."(MRN Radio/Sirius Speedway)
 
I hope Jerry never gets in another race car. He has way too much to lose if he's in another accident.

I admire his courage in admitting openly about having qualms about driving again.

He'll be an asset to the sport wherever he works.
 
I agree TRL, and in a way, I wish Steve Park would take the same route.
If Racing is in your blood, there are many other ways to feed the need than getting behind the wheel after such a serious accident.
 
kat2220 said:
I agree TRL, and in a way, I wish Steve Park would take the same route.
If Racing is in your blood, there are many other ways to feed the need than getting behind the wheel after such a serious accident.
Click to expand...

Totally agree with you both on that one
 
Yea, I'm with the couple above posts as well. Taking some of the mentality from the movie 3, they say "they can't put it in ya, can't take it outta ya,unless you let em. And if you do, it'll jump up and bite ya." After something like that, you gotta be a little scared (if you weren't already), and you'll never perform at a competitive level if you're too scared. We don't want to see anymore Neil Bonnett situations either, the sport doesn't need that, and of course neither does the Nadeau family. Another example-Ricky Hendrick(RIP). I know when he drove he was in a serious accident where he was injured, came back and it just didn't feel right. He climbed out of the seat and hung up his helmet, and I remembered the media, etc. saying that was a very noble thing to do and perhaps in the future we'd see more drivers do that. Unfortunately racing took the young man's life in another way. :( I realize racing is a sport about being "macho" or tough (only words I could come up with, hopefully you know what I mean), and always having something to prove, but if you're scared or 1/2 crippled already and have a family-they need something proved to them foremost. JMOs.

I think his idea, being involved in a driving school or what not would be a very noble act and quite respectable. Not to mention he'd do a great job at it.
 
I agree with the three Ladies above.
So sad for Jerry, but he gave it all he had to give. The fact that he is able to speak openly shows that he has indeed put a lot of thought in his future and his desire to be a part without being a racer. Takes a tall MAN to be that honest!!!!!
 
I also hope he never drives again. It is a heck of a realization when you realize that something that has been such a big part of you will never do so again. It is a crossroads and how you handle it goes a long way in determining your future happiness.

I'm sure he will get several offers to remain in the sport. He has made many friends in the sport. It is hard to find too many people who don't like the guy.

I would love to see him around for years to come. Just not behind the wheel.
 
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