Sad News - Virginia Means: Virginia P. Means, 85, of Huntsville, passed away Thursday. Means is the mother of former NASCAR driver and current NASCAR team owner, Jimmy Means. She was predeceased by her husband, Bradford 'Bob' Newton Means. Survivors include daughters, Martha M. James of Greenbrier Community; sons, Thomas E. Means (Debra) of Huntsville and James B. Means of Forest City, NC; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and sisters, Fern and Rachel of Arkansas. Visitation will be from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Sunday at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m. with Brother Scott Gossett officiating. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery()(1-20-2013)

Sad News - Steve Husketh:
Stephen Odell Husketh, 62, of Apex, NC died Thursday, January 3, 2013. Steve was the longtime owner of Quality Brake and Quality Inspection Centers in Cary. He fulfilled his passion for racing while operating Premiere Motorsports. Steve's team, Premiere Motorsports #68, and his driver for many years, Allen Purkhiser, were able to visit Victory Lane twice in the 2012 season with Steve there to celebrate with them. Husketh's Premiere Motorsports made two Nationwide Series starts in 2000 with Jay Fogleman as the driver, finishing 11th and 12th in the two races. See full obituary and service info at Apex Funeral Home website.(1-6-2012)

Sad News - Roz Howard: Georgia Racing Hall of Fame member Roz Howard passed away on Tuesday at the age of 91. Howard, a native of Macon, GA, honed his skills as a mechanic in the motor pool of the Army in 1942. In 1946, he got his first taste of driving in a borrowed car at a track cut into a cornfield near Macon. Howard’s day ended when he flipped the borrowed car three times. Howard would compete on the Southern Racing Enterprise circuit in the early 1950?s, competing across the southeast and scoring several feature wins. In 1956, Howard would compete in his first NASCAR Grand National (now Sprint Cup) event, as he drove his own car to a 13th place finish at Darlington. Howard ran six Sprint Cup Series races from 1956-1960 with a best of 7th (twice).(Raceweek Illustrated, see obituary/tribute at williamsfuneralhome.net)(1-3-2012)