The world of drag racing is reeling from the news of the tragic and sudden death of NHRA Chief Starter Mark Lyle.
The 65-year-old Lyle assumed his role in 2012 and was only the third Chief Starter in NHRA history. According to Motorsport.com’s Anne Proffit, Lyle reportedly died while attempting to save a friend who was struggling while swimming Sunday while on vacation in Zipolite, Oaxaca, Mexico.
“It sounds like somebody was in trouble in the water and (Lyle) dropped everything and ran out there,” Pacific Raceways president Jason Fiorito told Susan Wade of DragZine.com. “That was just Mark. It never would have crossed Mark’s mind not to just run out and try to help somebody.
“He would have never thought about his own safety. He would just go help somebody else – that was just him. … If he saw somebody in trouble, it was his job to go save them and he never would have thought twice about it.”
A resident of North Bend, Washington, Lyle reportedly died one day after his birthday and 11 days after he and wife Marcia celebrated their 36th wedding anniversary. The trip to Mexico was to celebrate both dates.
The late Buster Couch served 41 seasons as the NHRA’s chief starter (1955-1996), followed by Rick Stewart (1996-2011). Lyle succeeded Stewart at the start of the 2012 season.
Condolences poured in when NHRA announced the news on NHRA.com Monday afternoon:
* “On behalf of NHRA and the entire drag racing community, we offer our condolences to all of Lyle’s family and friends,” the sanctioning body said in a statement.
* "(Lyle) took over for Rick Stewart, who took over from Buster Couch,” legendary drag racer Don “The Snake” Prudhomme told NBC Sports. “Buster was the chief starter when I came along and played an important role in the NHRA. He passed it down to Rick Stewart until he retired.
“Believe me, standing there between two fuel dragsters is no easy task. While I didn’t know Mark very well, I’m sad to hear about his passing.”
* “Mark was one of the most kind-hearted, genuine people I’ve ever met in my whole life,” Fiorito told DragZine.com. “He was a wise and compassionate man, and I will miss him dearly. My heart and prayers go out to Marcia and his family. This world is a better place because he shared time with us.”
* “He loved the sport and the people in the sport loved him,” Chris Blair, general manager and executive vice president of Gateway Motorsports Park in suburban St. Louis, said in a statement. “His passing leaves a tremendous hole in our hearts. We want to thank his wife, Marcia, for allowing him to come play with us on his off weekends. Having Mark on the starting line ensured our events would be special.”
NHRA Division 6 starter Mike Gittings has been named interim chief starter for this weekend’s DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA in Las Vegas.
Numerous notables in the NHRA drag racing world also took to Twitter to convey their condolences:
Our deepest sympathy to the Lyle family. https://t.co/qnrp22ryGV
— John Force Racing (@JFR_Racing) March 28, 2016
In utter shock. White light to his wife & family. #RIP #MarkLyle #NHRA https://t.co/N7ha2E35us
— Nitro Notes 😷 (@NitroNotesNHRA) March 28, 2016
I'm very sad to hear about the passing of our NHRA starter Mark Lyle. I will keep his family in my prayers. He... https://t.co/YBrsMHIOhG
— Angelle Sampey (@AngelleSampey) March 28, 2016
Joining those stunned by sudden passing of Mark Lyle. Such a kind, pleasant man totally dedicated to his work. Huge loss to NHRA family.
— Gary Gerould (@ggerould) March 28, 2016
Our warmest condolences to the Mark Lyle family.
— Tony Pedregon (@TonyPedregon) March 28, 2016
So sad to hear the passing of Chief Starter @NHRA Mark Lyle. What a great man and ambassador of the sport. #RIP #youwillbemissed
— Brandon Bernstein (@BernsteinB) March 28, 2016
How I'll remember Mark Lyle; He had one of the toughest jobs imaginable, yet never had a bad day at the office.https://t.co/8jJxdFgevZ
— Kevin McKenna (@ThatguyKMac) March 28, 2016
Very sad news. Mark was great guy and will be missed NHRA Story » NHRA Chief Starter Mark Lyle passes https://t.co/X4WgA0yYYH via @sharethis
— Eddie Krawiec (@EddieKrawiec) March 28, 2016
— Alan Johnson Racing (@AJRtopfuel) March 28, 2016
This weekend at @NHRA Las Vegas I will be striking out the number of my Funny Car in memory of Mark Lyle #RIP pic.twitter.com/80cYUUcGi6
— Cruz Pedregon (@CruzPedregon) March 28, 2016
Very sad day to hear our chief starter Mark Lyle passed away. He was a great starter but an even better person! RIP Mark you will be missed
— Shawn Langdon (@ShawnLangdon333) March 28, 2016
Crushed to hear of the passing of #NHRA Chief Starter Mark Lyle. Prayers to his family.
— David Rieff (@DaveRieff) March 28, 2016
Stunned by Mark Lyle’s passing, what a perfect gentleman, loved his passion for Drag Racing, he was excellent at his job, huge loss for all.
— Lewis Bloom (@lewisbloomphoto) March 28, 2016
Such a shame that we lost Mark Lyle @Nhrastarter he had the utmost respect of everyone in the @Nhra and he was just a REALLY good guy.
— Alan Reinhart (@NHRAReinhart) March 28, 2016
I'm going to miss seeing Mark Lyle on the starting line and giving me the thumbs up. My thoughts are with his family. #RIPMark
— Tim Wilkerson (@TimWilkerson_FC) March 29, 2016
Such a shame that we lost Mark Lyle @Nhrastarter he had the utmost respect of everyone in the @Nhra and he was just a REALLY good guy.
— Alan Reinhart (@NHRAReinhart) March 28, 2016
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