The number 68 represents my passion for racing, which started at an early age.
I grew up in Northeastern Pennsylvania and my weekends were filled with trips to the local dirt tracks – Five Mile Point Speedway (Binghamton, N.Y.) and Penn Can Speedway (Susquehanna, Pa.) – to watch the modifieds race.
Pete Cordes – No. 68 – was my favorite driver. Pete had solid success at Five Mile Point, he was the 1968 track champion and had 15 career wins there. He would occasionally race Penn Can on Fridays and always went to Weedsport Speedway on Sundays.
After most nights at the track, we would go to the pits to talk to drivers, and I would always drag my dad over to see Pete. He stood six foot, eight inches (or more) tall, always had a smile and took the time to chat with us.
Pete retired from racing in 1982, the year I graduated from high school. As my life moved along and my career in motorsport took off, I choose to use the No. 68 in projects, social media accounts, etc.
It is a reminder to myself that primarily I am a fan of racing and racers. It prompts me to think back of the excitement I would feel each weekend going to the track to watch Pete and his competitors race; that same feeling I get these years later when I head to the track.
That is the meaning of 68 to me.