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CJM Racing car chief Helwig dies from leukemia

By Bob Pockrass - Associate Editor

Friday, August 15, 2008

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David Griffin / NASCAR Scene

David Griffin / NASCAR Scene

CJM Racing's Jason Keller runs a solo lap at Michigan International Speedway in memory of car chief Steve Helwig, who died earlier on Friday.

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BROOKLYN, Mich. – Steve “Big Guy” Helwig, car chief for the CJM Racing Nationwide Series car driven by Jason Keller, died this morning at home, a team spokesman confirmed.
 
Helwig, 53, was diagnosed with leukemia in June. Helwig had been involved in racing for more than 30 years, including many years with ppc Racing.

Keller will take a solo lap prior to the second practice session today in Helwig's honor.

"He was a full-blown racer at heart," said Scott Riggs, who drove for ppc Racing in 2002 and 2003. "All he did was focus on racing. He knew a lot about the race cars. He had been around forever and knew how the teams should work together.

"He always would shoot you straight. He never pretended to be somebody he wasn't. He had been working in racing for so long, he knew everything about the car – top to bottom, front to back."

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7 responses to "CJM Racing car chief Helwig dies from leukemia"
  1. 1
    going2heaven said:
    Aug 15, 2008 at 11:50 AM

    Thoughts and prayers are with the Helwig family, and CJM Racing.

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  2. 2
    mike estep said:
    Aug 15, 2008 at 2:36 PM

    First met Steve when I was 16. We'd watch this guy drive his dirt bike behind the factory where we worked. The guy was Mike "Magic Shoes" McLaughlin. Steve's heart was bigger than the rest of him. God bless my friend.

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  3. 3
    Marsha Montgomery said:
    Aug 15, 2008 at 5:47 PM

    My deepest sympathies to Big Guy's family and friends and the whole CJM Racing team. I was fortunate enough to get to meet and hang with Big Guy and the CJM crew this year and I know how hard it must be on all of you to lose such a big part of your family. I'm glad I was able to see you all last week and wish I could be with you now to give you all hugs. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you all. May he rest in peace ~Marsha

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  4. 4
    Gladys Bedwell said:
    Aug 15, 2008 at 8:21 PM

    OMG - how sad. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and his team.

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  5. 5
    John Quigley said:
    Aug 15, 2008 at 8:37 PM

    God must have a really "Big" car in Heaven since he called Steve home.... Earnhardt must must have wrecked someone bad up there... Our thoughts and prayers are with the Helwig family.... I was in Victory lane when Jason won in Talladega in 2002... will miss you Big Guy....very gracious, I remember the day a year later when I saw Steve on top of the Albertsons car after a wreck that Jason was in..... Steve had a sledge hammer working on the car..... It sounded like a bomb when he was hitting it... His hands were so Huge!!You will be missed, crews and fans alike... God-speed Steve... John Quigley Bartlesville Oklahoma

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  6. 6
    wayne hooper said:
    Aug 17, 2008 at 4:16 PM

    Just want to send condolences out to family members from all of Steve's friends back in Auburn, NY. We will never forget him... Everyone at the Bottling Plant

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  7. 7
    Jo Ard said:
    Aug 19, 2008 at 10:03 AM

    My deepes sympathies to the Helwig family and CJM Racing team. May God Bless You All Sam & Jo Ard

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