FLORENCE, KY-A huge contingent of Cocke County residents made their way north to Florence Speedway in Florence, Kentucky last Saturday. They wanted to be on hand to witness one of their local racing heroes, Duayne Hommel, being honored by the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame, which is housed on Florence Speedway's grounds. They were treated to something extra, sort of icing on the cake, later in the evening, as another one of their local heroes, Jimmy Owens, took the lead on the white flag lap, and raced home to victory in the prestigious North/South 100, a $50,000 race that attracted the best dirt Late Models in the country.

But, with Owens celebrating in victory lane, he made it clear that this day belonged to his long-time friend and former competitor, Duayne Hommel.

"First off, I want to dedicate this win to Duayne Hommel," said Owens as he was presented the winning trophy and hefty check.

Earlier in the day, during the annual induction ceremonies in the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame, it was Jimmy who presented Duayne with the prestigious Hall of Fame Spirit Award. Hommel, a former winner at Florence Speedway, was honored for his service as an example of a true champion off the track, and for his continued support and enthusiasm after misfortune.

Hommel was on top of his game in 2003. A fast-rising dirt Late Model superstar, Hommel was the O'Reilly Southern All-Stars Dirt Racing champion in 2002.

Hommel began his racing career, sort of, by racing four-wheelers, before making the move to dirt modfieds. After a few years pounding the dirt at Volunteer Speedway in Bulls Gap, Hommel made the move to Late Models and found success almost immediately.

After his Southern All-Stars championship in 2002, Hommel was dominating the series in 2003, winning eight events, including six in a row, and was well on his way to another series championship. But all of that would change on September 23, 2003.

Hommel was preparing to run a Southern All-Stars event at Talladega on Friday and another on Saturday in Cleveland. But, while on his way home to Parrottsville on Airport Road in Bybee, Hommel came upon another driver who had drifted across the centerline. Hommel tried to avoid the oncoming driver and lost control of his vehicle.

The accident left Hommel with massive head and brain injuries, and he was flown by helicopter to UT Medical Center in Knoxville from the Centerview Elementary School softball field. Doctors were amazed that Hommel had survived, but the extent of his injuries would change his life forever.

After a lengthy stay in Knoxville, Hommel was later transferred to a special care and rehab facility in Atlanta. And now, confined to a wheel chair, Hommel remains home with his family, his racing career over.

But, race fans have not forgotten Duayne Hommel, and neither did the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame.

It was also ironic that the special Hall of Fame award was presented to Hommel by his old friend and competitor Jimmy Owens. Hommel had plenty of battles with Owens in Modifieds before both moved up to Late Models. Owens would go on to five national championships in Modifieds before moving to late models. Also ironic that on the day Hommel was honored by the Hall of Fame, Owens won the big race.