RPW Exclusive: ‘My Pappy ****’N WON!’ The Emotion Of Seeing Dad Win Was Amazing For Kyle Sheldon

Column By: BOBBY CHALMERS / RPW – WEST LEBANON, NY – Every parent hopes to see their child succeed. They love watching their kids do better than they could, especially when it’s at an activity that’s been a big part of their lives.

But what about when a kid sees their parent relive glory? For Modified racer Kyle Sheldon, it means the world, and last Saturday at Lebanon Valley Speedway, he got that opportunity.

Sheldon’s father, former Big Block Modified racer himself, Guy Sheldon, recently returned to the driver’s seat in the Lorne Browe-owned #14 358-Modified at Lebanon Valley Speedway. This past weekend was double features for the division and the Elder Sheldon finished second to Andy Bachetti in the heldover feature and then drove his way to victory lane in the regularly-scheduled main.

Watching his father have a career-type evening on the high banks was something that, even now, leaves Kyle in awe.

“It was simply awesome,” Sheldon said of his dad making it back to victory lane. “What’s better than watching your hero kick ass?”

It has been nearly seven years since Guy stepped out of the driver’s seat of the Alex Thomson-owned Big Block to make way for Kyle to take over the #42 PMC Race Car. Now that he’s back in a 358-Modified, both father and son can still help each other while getting to see each other succeed on track. Even with the time away, Guy hasn’t lost a step.

“Everyone keeps saying the old man still has it, but I know he’s never lost it,” Kyle said. “Each week he’s been in the car he’s advanced his position. Some weeks they’ve had mechanical problems, but he’s gone forward in the feature. This week really showed what he’s been doing all year.”

Oh, did I forget to mention? Guy made an amazing last-lap, last corner pass of leader Timothy Davis to get the victory Saturday? It was a move that sure had the huge crowd at the Valley on their feet.

“I knew there was a slight chance I could get him,” Guy said after his win “It looked like Tim slowed down a big going down the back stretch, like something might have happened and we were able to make the move. Either way, we’ll take it.”

In his son’s eyes, though, you couldn’t have written the story any better.

“To be able to see him make the last corner pass just made the win so much sweeter,” the younger Sheldon said. “Who doesn’t like to win a race that way?”

Once the #14 crossed the finish line, the emotions began to swell inside of Kyle. He began to remember just what it was like seeing his father win all those years ago. He also got to enjoy a big victory lane bear hug with his ‘old man’ again, but this time, he was offering the congratulatory hug instead of receiving.

What was the first thing he said when he knew his father had won the feature?

“I may have let my emotions out,” he said. “I was screaming ‘**** YEAH! My Pappy ****’N WON!”

It’s that type of emotion that has been a staple of Kyle’s over the years. Any time he gets a victory, it’s always an emotion-filled victory lane. When he exits the car, a massive amount of slaps to the roof gives photographers the chance to grab an amazing shot, and the smile on his face shows just how much it means to Kyle. However, this night probably meant just a little more.

“I know I was standing in front of him at the scale house so I was the first one he saw when he came off the track,” Kyle said. “I had my arms up, so proud, and was screaming at the top of my lungs. I couldn’t believe what I saw. I had tears in my eyes. It was just awesome.”

Kyle has always showed his emotion. In victory lane or even the pit area, he doesn’t hold back, and that was evident Saturday.

“I could barely see in victory lane when we got out there I was still crying a bit,” he said. “If that doesn’t show you just how much that meant to our family, I don’t know what will. I honestly think I was more excited than he was.”

With good reason. Getting to do see your dad return to the glory he once knew can’t help but bring a smile to your face. For Kyle, Guy, and the entire group who work so hard on both of their race teams, it was time to party. Guy’s been winning races, as Kyle put it, since 1984, so it was something to celebrate.

Parents like seeing their kids succeed. Once the kids get older, it means just as much, if not more, when the roles are reversed. For Kyle Sheldon, last Saturday night at Lebanon Valley meant the world. He got to see his hero stand atop the mountain, victorious, once again. It was probably better than winning himself.

Not a bad way to celebrate father’s day…even if a week early.