I just read the shocking news ( stusshots.blogspot.com) that Dave Brintlinger and his 15 year old son Tyler have perished in a car wreck coming home from Knoxville and Dave's twin brother Darrell is really wracked up but alive in hospital. These three guys were a pivotal part of the operations end of the AMA Nationals and attacked their jobs with enthusiasm and dedication. Dave and Darrell stood out from the crowd, a couple of bald, bad ass looking guys with big smiles and big personalities. Dave will be missed tremendously and Darrell, get well really soon and come back to the races where you are loved.
It is heart wrenching to realize the fine young man Tyler is gone at the beginning of his life. Tyler came to the races with his Dad and Uncle and obviously loved every minute of it. He was always right there in the thick of it. Always at the Winners Circle, he greeted the riders with cold water bottles and towels and helped them get to the podium and took care of any needs. Here is a 15 year old who was brought up in a Flat Track environment and because of his Dad he was rubbing shoulders with his heros. He seized the opportunity and ran with it. I watched the kid in action and he definitely had the Brintlinger work ethic. Rest in peace Dave and Tyler, you will be remembered fondly. Our heartfelt condolences to the Brintlinger family .
Darrell and Dave on a mission at the Sacramento Mile
Tyler doing his thing, getting ready to hand Shayna her First Place trophy.
Sacramento 2011, Tyler and Chris Carr. Chris was fired up and need a lot of water to cool down.
This year at Sacramento I was having breakfast with Tom Seymour, Sunday morning and Dave stopped to say hello and he told us how Tyler was just having so much fun being involved and doing what he does and how proud he was of his kid. The last time I saw Tyler he was in the Pits after the race and he came by and said " Our Sponsors want you guys to have these" and he handed out two pens and a foam drink cozzie to folks from a cardboard box, until they were gone.
