Miller will be missed after retiring from Penske

Don Miller, left, who was named Humanitarian of the Year, is retiring at 68.

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As a humanitarian and innovator in NASCAR in safety enhancements and show car programs Don Miller has left an indelible mark on the sport.

But that doesn't tell the whole story of this 68-year-old gentleman who retired this year as president of Penske South Racing.

In 1974 an accident at Talladega almost took Miller's life. Since then he's devoted that life to NASCAR, mentoring drivers and helping others.

When Miller announced his retirement, the news and a very special honor were lost in the glitter of the Champion's Week.

Named the first NASCAR Home Depot Humanitarian of the Year, Miller received a crystal trophy and a $100,000 donation made to his charity of choice, Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN), an organization whose mission is to continue to help and provide education, counseling and intervention programs for the prevention of child abuse and neglect.

Miller was a leading force in the Stocks-for-Tots program which was also a fundraiser for SCAN. "It was not about trophies. It was just a wonderful surprise," the modest Miller reacted. "It shows so many people good there are in the sport."

Looking at the smiling silver-haired Miller just does not begin to give you the depth of a combination of passion for the sport, intelligence and kindness. Miller met former sports car racer, Roger Penske, in the early '70s when Penske was marketing performance products for Sears. In fact, Miller is credited with the first serious show car effort that is now a must-have for race teams. At Talladega Speedway, in 1974, NASCAR had just instituted the gas catch can man rule. Before then, gas was allowed to overflow the tank right onto the pit road where it could catch on fire. The original plan was for Penske's private pilot to take the job, but he was unavailable. Miller, not an over-the-wall guy, took the assignment, which was almost fatal. Grant Adcox spun in watery oil on pit road pinning the catch can man against the rear of the Penske racer. Fast work by another crew chief, Buddy Parrott, saved Miller's life, but not his leg.

A never-say-die kind of man, Miller came back to the race world but had to use a prosthesis. Later when he was involved with the ASA series -- a short track circuit based in Midwest -- Becky Robbins, wife of ASA founder Rex Robbins, called him "the best one-legged dancer" she'd ever met.

Around that time he met a young Rusty Wallace, who said Miller was "a second father to me." They worked together to bring Wallace a Cup championship in 1989 with Raymond Beadle. Beadle, ironically, ran out of funds at the top. So, Wallace says, "I said to Don, 'Let's form our own team.'" Miller and Wallace consulted Penske, who bought a majority interest, "and the rest is history," Wallace said. Although Wallace didn't repeat his championship, he was one of NASCAR's best-known winners and competitive drivers in the No. 2 Penske car.

The organization which started with 35 people in a 10,000 square foot shop (where Miller had the only proper office) grew to more than 300 employees occupying over 400,000 sq. feet.

During the last three decades Miller's projects included the first racing Ford Taurus, which was the beginning of the universal template idea. Other safety innovations included work on roof flaps -- which keep out-of-control cars from flipping -- and a heat shield to protect drivers in the cockpit. Miller was a constant presence in the NASCAR garage even if he had to grimace a bit to walk the long steps to the team's hauler. When cars weren't running he was easy to find sitting out on a folding chair available for questions and comments. The best part was that although he was up on all current NASCAR issues he is an encyclopedia on matters of general history. Every conversation was stimulating and this writer took away more than he gave.

Despite his genial demeanor, Don was a fierce advocate for the team and yet remained a gentleman. One NASCAR official joked "he seemed fairly rational," when making his pleas. Now it's time for Miller to spend more time on a few other passions, restoring cars and charity work. Most importantly to get off the road a bit.

"I want to thank Don Miller for all he's done for Penske Racing over the years," Penske said. "He's been a partner and great friend and he will definitely be missed."

"I've been racing for the past 35 years," said Miller from his office in Mooresville, N.C. "Now it's time to take time for the family." Still, it was a bittersweet moment when he said farewell at the annual Penske Christmas party. "I'll miss the people, but I have nothing but the best memories," he said.

Don, thank you for the memories.