Those who came to pay their respects to NASCAR champion Ted Christopher said there was no one quite like him.
They described him as a hard worker and great competitor who loved grabbing ice cream before and after a race. So it seemed fitting that everyone should have some at his wake.
"This ice cream truck here is for Ted," said friend and racing competitor Keith Rocco. "He'd want ice cream right now."
The Connecticut racing legend's life was cut short when the plane Christopher was in crashed earlier this month in North Branford, killing him and the pilot. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
On Monday, hundreds lined up at Bailey's Funeral Home in Plainville to pay their respects.
"He had a bounce in his step, and I'm just waiting for him to come bounce around the corner," said Michael O'Sullivan, who was Christopher's crew chief.
O'Sullivan suffered a severe stroke several years ago. He said Christopher and the NASCAR star's wife came to visit him several times a week at the hospital. Shortly after leaving the hospital, cameras captured a candid and emotional moment between O'Sullivan and Christopher at Stafford Motor Speedway. Christopher has just won the 2014 championship. It was an unforgettable victory.
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"He was my boss number one, my brother, my best friend," O'Sullivan said.
And there was still one more victory left. Keith Rocco worked for the modified champion as a crew member and then raced against him. He raced against him this past Friday in Stafford Springs. The race was dedicated to Christopher who won one last time with Rocco right behind him.
"They started him as if he was there, and they let him win the race. I guess you could say I finished second to Ted one more time," said Rocco.
For the all-time winningest driver at Stafford, the speedway will retire Christopher's #13.
