The first time Tom Lucas saw his wife Linda, an unfamiliar feeling stirred in him. As a young man in his early twenties, he had never just cold-approached a woman he hadn’t met before. But something about Linda was different. So, for the first time in his life, he went out on a limb. What he didn’t realize at the time was that this particular first would also be his last.
Close to 46 years later, Tom and Linda found themselves standing in the paddock of Sebring International Raceway, admiring Matt Forbush’s beautiful Ligier LM P3 prototype, complete with Racing to End Alzheimer’s purple and white livery. The years had brought so much to Tom and Linda – children, grandchildren and a wonderfully supportive family – but they had also brought challenges. Linda has Alzheimer’s, and dealing with the disease has been the kind of struggle that too many of us are familiar with.
A chance discovery
So, when Tom heard about Racing to End Alzheimer’s in Sebring’s local newspaper, he saw it as a fantastic way to honor his wife while contributing to a charity that is deeply personal to him. Alongside generous contributions from his siblings, Tom had Linda’s name placed as a champion on the dorsal fin of the Ligier LM P3 prototype. Just below her name and hometown, he also added a message to Linda: “Earth Angel” with two hearts next to it.
Typically, that would be the end of the story. The LM P3 would go on to raceways across the country, blistering down straights and deftly handling maneuvers with the names of champions along for the ride. But this story, like so many of the races we have run in over the years, took an unexpected turn.
A fortuitous turn
Tom and Linda live in Sebring, Florida, home of the world famous international raceway. The IMSA Historic Sportscar Racing Event, in which the LM P3 would be competing, makes a stop at the Central Florida track as part of its circuit. The coincidence of circumstance, which so infrequently happens, meant that Tom and Linda would have the opportunity to see her dedication in person, prominently displayed on a high-speed feat of engineering.
After some coordination with raceway officials, Tom and Linda were able to spend some time in the paddock, meet the crew and take a few pictures. For Tom, it was a fortifying experience.
“Just seeing her name on the car really touches your heart,” he said. “Everyone who knows Linda, knows what a tremendous person she is. I wish those who don’t know her, did,” he added.
The why
For us here at Racing to End Alzheimer’s, that’s really what all of this is about. We love racing and find great satisfaction in having success on the track. But the real soul of our work, the engine that keeps this whole thing running, is the champions and their loved ones.
Each of those purple names on the livery represents not only someone like Linda, but also the community of supporters that stand with her. People like Tom and his family, who, despite the struggles brought on by this disease, show us what love and fortitude and steadfastness mean. The path to a cure isn’t always easy, but, with people like that in your corner, it’s hard not to feel like anything is possible.
Happy 46-year anniversary, Tom and Linda. Thank you for letting us be part of your story.
