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NOTE: Funeral services will be held for Pat Holtsman in Sacramento, CA. at El Camino Baptist Church, Saturday March 23, 2002 at 11AM

Racers Across the USA Mourn the Death of Pat Holtsman - By Bobby Gerould - 03/20/02 - Sacramento, CA. ...Sprint car racing lost it's number one fan yesterday. HammerDown! was stunned, and deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Pat Holtsman. "Mother Holtsman", as she was known to many, died suddenly Tuesday at a Sacramento, CA. hospital at the age of 75. Her husband of 55 years, Harold, better known as "Happy Hal" said that Pat started feeling ill yesterday, and they called 911. After several tests were performed at the hospital, she died. (read more)

The Holtsman Family has strong roots in racing. Happy Hal and Pat's "Holtsman Chevron" service station sponsored Kenny Woodruff for years, including the 1978 season when Woodruff, and driver Jimmy Boyd won the first World of Outlaws race. The couple's son, Howard was a modified racer in Northern California. Howard was known at West Capitol Raceway, as "Captain America".

Pat was the biggest sprint car fan we have ever known. Her memory and overall knowledge of racing was extraordinary. With "Happy Hal" in their Motorhome, the two enjoyed retirement by seeing the biggest races throughout the USA. On a first name basis with the Who's Who in sprint car racing, Pat could be found walking her dog on Eldora's, Ohio campgrounds, just as easily as you would find her in her home state of California. The Holtsman's were such fixtures at West Capitol that promoter, John Padjen, had their regular seats removed and saved before the demolition of the track in 1980. Pat never missed a Gold Cup and never missed the Knoxville Nationals.

Words do no justice to how much Pat will be missed.

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