REIDSVILLE, NC :: Rodney Cook was a racer’s racer.  It’s all he wanted to do.  It didn’t matter if it was dirt or asphalt, a Late Model or a Modified.  Over the past year, Cook was in the race for his life, a race against cancer.  On December 10th, cancer won.

The wins came often for Rodney Cook.  He won two Late Model championships at Ace Speedway.  The wins came with hard work.  He worked 40 hours a week and spent his nights working on his racecars.  When he’d show up to the racetrack, he would be a factor.

Rodney Cook was a fierce competitor but a respected racer and a respected man.  Off the track, he was a friend to everyone in the racing community.  He was also a husband and a father.

When he was diagnosed with cancer, the racing community showed up in large numbers to support one of the region’s biggest name and most respected racers.

“It’s just amazing the people that have wished me well,” Cook told RACE22.com’s Corey Latham in March.  “It really makes you appreciate everything. From the fans to all the racers that I race against that have called me to check on me, it really shows you how big our racing family really is. That means a lot to me, that’s my support, it brings me confidence. My mind if going a million miles a minute now, I try to stay positive about things and all the support really helps. Speedy (Faucette) called me today, and know we have had a few differences but the past is the past, what happens on the race track is there, this is real life, that meant a lot to me to hear from him. Lee Pulliam called, just so many people, like I was saying all the racers calling just helps so much.”

The racing community came together and held a benefit auction for Rodney Cook.  Even during his illness, Cook’s mind was on racing.  He showed up to Ace Speedway even in sickness.  When he did, he would be met with a standing ovation from the crowd.  He wanted to race again.

He represented everything short track racing should be, hard work in the garage, hard driving at the racetrack and a relentless passion for racing.

Rodney Cook was born on January 7, 1969.  He passed away on Tuesday, December 10, 2013.  He was 44.  Rodney Cook is survived by his wife, Nicole, and his daughters, Kimberlyn and Chloe.  Ace Speedway will dedicate the 2014 racing season to his enduring legacy.