Letter from Joey "the Jet" Payne

Friends and Fellow racers,

Id like to thank Oswego Speedway, their Safety crew and the Big O fans for being the best at what they do. Saturdays crash was one of my worst in 24 yrs of racing. The impact was horrific, so bad my teeth were hurting. Aside from that my ribs, legs and jaw were badly bruised. I have to Thank the Strong gang for putting together such a safe car.2 years ago I nearly died in my NEMA Midget, if it wasn't for having the Cadillac of seats The Joie of Seating, I probably would have been dead.

This weekend I wore my Safety Solutions Hybrid Rage head and neck device for the second time, and boy am I glad I did. After the wreck at Stafford I swore I would be safer racing. My brother Johnny sells the devices for Safety Solutions and Being the old school racer I am I shrugged it off, saying "ah I'll be ok," I owe Johnny a lot of Thanks.

In Saturdays wreck, the throttle stuck and the second or two it took to hit the wall I pulled back on the pedal so hard I have the top of my right foot bruised. Its easy for everyone to say "He should have just hit the kill switch," well I'll tell you that was the last thing I thought of as the wall approached. I did try to hit the switch off on the steering wheel as I hit the wall but just couldn't, I didn't want to let go of the wheel. The Hybrid Rage did its job and to be honest my head and neck are remarkably feeling great.

Lets use this crash as a wake up call to everyone! Drivers use the safety devices!! I feel it really saved my life. On the other side I feel that the track and clubs should make kill switches on the brake pedal or the toe strap mandatory, Its a cheap fix compared to losing a friend. Believe me I have lived through it. I know all this safety stuff isn't cheap but you cant put a price on life.
Thank for reading
The Jet
Joey Payne