HammerDownUSA.com
Brooke Tatnell Heads Home To Help
Father Battle Cancer
Everybody has a hero, somebody they
look up to in life. For Brooke
Tatnell, that person is his father,
George, a legendary sprint car
driver in
Having the best year of his career,
Brooke battles with the other
pride while listening to the race
broadcasts through the Internet.
That is why this season is
especially difficult for Brooke. George
suffered a stroke in the spring,
just as the
schedule was picking up steam. The
news was tough for the Tatnells,
but very difficult for Brooke as he
was thousands of miles away
struggling with whether or not he
should return home. He continued to
drive the Rush Racing machine on the
what his dad wanted.
But now Brooke will climb out of the
car this weekend and return to
his native
battle of his life. George recently
was diagnosed with pancreatic
cancer and begins treatment
Wednesday. Brooke intends to see him
through the fight.
“It’s time for me to be the man of
the family,” said Brooke, whose
mom and sisters still live in
from his stroke. “We have to keep
our chins up and keep fighting
along. We’ll get through these tough
times, but it’s the biggest
battle he’s going to fight.
“(Car owners) Tim Hanson and Bob
Campbell have been unbelievably
supportive and I can’t thank them
enough.”
Brooke expects to be back in the car
on the
to compete Oct. 20 at
Jason Johnson and Jeff Shepard will
share the driving duties.
“It’s the toughest thing Brooke’s
ever had to do,” Hanson said.
“Every kid looks up to Superman and
Brooke’s Superman is George. We
felt it was most important for him
to be with his family right now
and we’re here to support him
however we can.”