NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Final eliminations at the Denso Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway are under way, and the memory of Chief Starter Mark Lyle, who passed away March 27, has been very much a part of the event.

Lyle, who had held the position since 2012, has been remembered this weekend by many of the racers with whom he worked and interacted.

Eight-time NHRA Mello Yello Top Fuel champ Tony Schumacher said, “Ever since Mark took over, he did a fantastic job. He was always smiling and it was a blessing to see him out there every day. I can’t say I’ve ever seen him upset or angry, and that’s a rarity for someone in that position. He was a great guy in every way. People talked very highly of him all the time. “

Reigning Pro Stock champ Erica Enders added, “He was a huge asset to our sport, and we're deeply saddened by his loss. It would be really awesome to win this weekend for Mark.”

“It’s strange to go up there to stage and not see my buddy Mark,” said Pro Stock low qualifier Jason Line. “It’s a terrible thing, and we’re all going to miss him. He can’t be replaced.”
 
“I’ll tell you what, it just wasn’t the same up there,” echoed Robert Hight. “It used to be that I’d always back up from the burnout, and I had Mark Lyle pointing in there at me. It’s just not the same.”

"Man, it’s difficult when I’m walking up to the starting line,” assessed former Funny Car world champ Jack Beckman. “Mark and I were pretty good buddies. We knew each other before he became NHRA’s official starter. I posted on my Facebook that there was never a race where he and I didn’t speak at length about something. Wonderful man, gentleman, and it’s just a little bit different right now without him here, and my heart goes out to the family. I can’t imagine what they’re going through to lose somebody that wonderful."
 
"I thought very highly of the guy,” said Top Fuel low qualifier Steve Torrence. “Always smiling. Always fun to go up to talk to. I walk around on the racetrack some mornings, and [he was] just a friendly face to be out there. My heart goes out, and we’ve been saying our prayers for his entire family. Such a selfless act that the guy was doing to go out and try and help somebody, and it cost him that. We miss him, and it’s just such a tragedy, and don’t think that we don’t think about that when you go up there and you look around to see what’s going on and he’s not there."