Paul Newman lost his battle with cancer a few days ago. He was 83.  

There’s no doubt that he was one of the greatest actors of all time. His list of influential and powerful films is one of the longest I’ve ever seen. Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid, The Sting, Cool Hand Luke. And a few personal favorites like, The Hudsucker Proxy and The Road to Perdition. (Hell, even his voice-role in Cars gave one goosebumps!)

But as an avid racing fan, I knew Paul in a slightly different way. Paul was the co-owner of Newman-Hass racing - a legendary American open-wheel racing team. Each time I saw him, or had the chance to speak with him at various Champ Car and Indy racing events, he was always cordial and commanding. He exuded charm and class as he walked through the paddock, and always had time for fans - both racing and film. In the past 20 years, Paul Newman championed a return to the romance of speed, and a departure from the hectic finances of the sport. All the while, winning countless trophies as a team owner. Oh, and by the way, he was still tearing up the racetrack at 73 years old, behind the wheel of various SCCA entries… 

Go fast, Paul.  You were the father of cool, and you will be sorely missed in a world that is lacking it.