Dying NASCAR Fan Fulfills Dream of Going To Daytona 500, Succumbs In Infield
February 24, 2013 2:46 PM 
Mitch Zanette was dying of cancer. Treatment was not going well for the volunteer fireman so he took stock of his “bucket list” and decided that going to the Daytona 500 was right on top. With the full realization that he only had days to live Mitch and several family members hit the highway from their home in Pennsylvania and headed for Daytona.
When he reached town Mitch, according to YahooSports, didn’t waste any time.
Once in town, Mitch plunged into the Daytona experience. He watched Danica Patrick make NASCAR history by becoming the first woman to win a pole at a Sprint Cup race. He looked over the garages, watching teams tinker and fiddle with their cars. He walked on the beach one last time. Oh, and he managed to get a photo with one of the lovely Sprint Cup girls.
The story should have ended with Mitch watching the 500 today but it wasn’t in the cards. The end came Wednesday night at the track infield.
On Wednesday night, when Mitch took ill and finally succumbed, fans stayed with the family until they went to a local hospital, then gathered to comfort the family when they returned.
Nonetheless, Mitch Zannette wouldn’t have picked a better place to go than where he did, at a NASCAR track surrounded by his loved ones and the sport he loved so much. For the full story click here.
Leave a Comment