As the nation geared up for war during the last week of January 2003, I was preparing to make my annual trek to Florida to work the ARCA Daytona 200 race. After spending over 22 years as a professional soldier and a veteran of the first gulf war, my thoughts were with the soldiers and my neighbors assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division.

When I arrived at the speedway, I immediately sought out Benny Parsons. I had never been introduced or talked to Benny, but when I told him that I had a story for him, he was all ears as we sought shade in the old Busch garage.

I told Benny that I was in Daytona to spot for Bobby Gerhart in the ARCA race and that I had had a dream the previous week. As Benny listened intently, I explained how in my dream, I saw myself in full battle uniform with my weapon slung across my back. But then I realized I was wearing my RE headset, standing in front of a big screen TV in the middle of the Iraqi desert spotting for Bobby Gerhart via satellite and Benny was there beside me in his Sunday best with microphone in hand, doing a remote broadcast. As Bobby crossed the start finish line under the checkered flag, I awoke in a cold sweat. Benny was overwhelmed with emotion, but then he began to laugh and said that maybe dreams really can come true.

After starting on pole, Bobby led the first 54 laps going away before cutting a left rear tire on the back stretch and ending the hope of a repeat Daytona win, we finished a disappointing 14th.

My dreams didnt come true that Saturday in Daytona, but I will never forget my first conversation and our exploits in Iraq with one of the nicest people that I have ever met, Benny Parsons.