RIP My Friend Todd Drew

[modscene]

I don't know how many of you will remember Todd Drew, but I will never forget him. Todd was a racing fanatic from Central NY and his family owned a restaurant in Camillus. I met Todd when he was 16 and we instantly hit it off. We travelled together for more than a decade, chasing races first on the DIRT circuit and then the asphalt Modifieds. He became my little brother.

In 1990 Todd went to work as the PR guy for Dale Earnhardt. He missed the local racing and soon moved on to NASCAR as the Media Rep for the Modified Tour. Todd's love and passion for the sport made him the ideal man for the Media job, but the politics of NASCAR eventually chewed him up and spit him out. He left racing and we lost contact.

I guess he ended up in NYC with his wife, Marsha. From what I have learned recently, he worked with the ACLU. His sports passion moved over to baseball and he was a well-known blogger for the New York Yankees. He fell victim to cancer and passed away after surgery in early January.

Rest In Peace, Todd. You were good for racing and a great friend. The world needs more people like you.

News on his death:
http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/01/15/good-night-sweet-prince-2/

Todd's Blog
http://yankeesforjustice.blogspot.com/

Comments on his life and death:
http://38pitches.weei.com/?s=todd+drew
http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/01/16/remembering-todd/
http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/01/15/good-night-sweet-prince-2/

His final blog:
http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2008/12/22/shadow-games-baseball-and-me/

[chrome horn]

I was shocked when Howie called me tonight. I appreciate Modscene getting the word out. I only had few interactions with Todd, but everyone was informative to say the least. RIP Todd
Todd is the one in the blue jacket, next Modscene and behind the orange jacket of Val Lesieur
@ Flemington (http://longislandjam.com/news/specials/chromehorn/flemington/slides/1992%20(3).html)

[Rentawrench]

Gracie & I are Both Saddned to Hear of this .

To His Wife Marsha , His Family & Friends we send our Prayershttp://http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/01/16/remembering-todd/
this has the time of the memorial service

[ModTourMan]

Rest In Peace Todd.

[Precision Auto]

We will keep Todd's family and friends in our prayers. Linda and Norm

[Tooner]

God speed Todd!

Great guy, good person.

MC

[Captain History]

Rest in peace Todd. You were deeply appreciated by many in the racing family. I know that you gave more to motorsports than you received.

Is there an address to send cards/messages to his wife Marsha and his family?

[modscene]

Here's what I found on Todd's Blog today:

http://yankeesforjustice.blogspot.com/2009/01/todd-drew-rest-in-peace.html

Todd Drew (May 13, 1967 - January 15, 2009)

A memorial service will be held Sunday January 18th at 3:00 pm at Riverside Memorial Chapel, 180 West 76th at Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY.

Yankee hats and casual attire are encouraged.

Donations may be made in Todd’s memory to:

ACLU
125 Broad Street, 18th Floor,
New York, NY 10004

Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club Inc,
1930 Randall Avenue,
Bronx, NY 10473

The Doe Fund,
232 East 84th Street,
New York, NY 10028
(holistic program to meet the needs of a diverse population working to break the cycle of homelessness).


Posted by Todd's friend, Michael

[Captain History]

Cards and letters can be sent here:

Marsha Drew
338 West 77th St.
Manhattan, NY 10024

[Timin' Girl]

My thoughts and prayers are with Marsha and with family and friends. Todd was a really nice person. I remember him back in the day. God Bless.

[SIModified]

I ran out of room on his Facebook page, so please allow me to finish here:

I met Todd when he was working for NASCAR as the Media Coordinator for the what was then known as the Featherlite Modfied Tour. I was racing in Mini-Modifieds and Todd often stopped by to talk to me since he had seen me at several Tour races helping the Vecchios.

I had told Todd I had aspirations of moving to Charlotte to further my career in racing and soon thereafter, Todd himself got a job with Benny Ertel and Dale Earnhardt handling GM Goodwrench PR.

After running into Todd while networking towards my future move in Pocono, I humbly asked Todd for a couch to crash on for a week during Mello Yello 500 week in Charlotte.

Todd not only opened his home in Charlotte to me, but picked me up at the airport and even let me use his personal vehicle so I could hit all my job interviews I had lined up from Connecticut. He even told me he was impressed at my research from Connecticut as he looked over my contact list for the week.

I will forever be in debt to him for giving me the opportunity to chase my dreams with what little budjet I had to work with.

My heart goes out to Todd's family and especially Marsha. Even though I never met her, Todd's relationship with her was just beginning when I flew into Charlotte for that week.

God Bless You, Todd. Thank You so much for helping me reach for my dream.

[Camper Lady]

Our prayers go out to Marsha and Todd's family. God Speed Todd you will be missed

Joe and Linda Brady
Crew of Brady Bunch Racing