A helicopter crash Monday near Great Smoky Mountains National Park that killed all five on board impacted NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski, who had spent time with one of the victims only days earlier.
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, police identified those killed as pilot Jason Dahl, 38, of Sevierville, Tennessee, and passengers Johna Morvant, 49, of Kodak, Tennessee, Peyton Rasmussen, 22, of Huntersville, North Carolina, and her boyfriend, Michael Glenn Mastalez, 21, of Prosper, Texas, and Peyton’s brother, Parker Rasmussen, 18, also of Huntersville.
Through a series of tweets, Keselowski shared a special encounter he had with Mastalez at a restaurant last week.
Here’s Keselowski’s story:
So sad to hear this, Michael was a nice young man who loved the #2crew
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) April 12, 2016
Thoughts & 🙏 will all the families. https://t.co/jFWg1aipaP
1). It's an old fable in Hollywood, that your waiter or waitress is probably an aspiring actor/actress. I'm not sure if that's true there...
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) April 13, 2016
2). I can tell you It's definitely true that in Mooresville, Nc your waiter or waitress is probably an aspiring racer.
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) April 13, 2016
3). I had the pleasure of being served by Michael at a local restaurant in Mooresville this past Wednesday before he died so tragically.
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) April 13, 2016
4). The dinner started as a quiet meeting with an associate and a job interviewee in a back room of the restaurant where he worked.
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) April 13, 2016
5). With special instructions in mind I grabbed Michael upon his introduction and walked into another room to speak with him.
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) April 13, 2016
6). Michael's slender build comedically complimented his nervous body language & he had something to say but I gave him no such opportunity.
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) April 13, 2016
7). "Michael, were going to have some fun, I want you to mess up everything we order on the menu tonight to see how this interview reacts."
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) April 13, 2016
8). I told this to him and his nervous smile turned into a grin and he answered, "sure, BTW I'm a big 2 fan..." I smiled, so did the night.
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) April 13, 2016
9). A few hours, a few beers and a lot of conversation later, the night came to an end and the interviewee barely said a word about his food
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) April 13, 2016
10). Michael and I could barely contain our laughter that night as he brought the check, asked how the food was and waited for the answer.
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) April 13, 2016
11). "Just Fine," the interviewee said nervously as our faces turned red from starring at him. I thanked Michael for being such a good help.
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) April 13, 2016
At that moment Michaels body language was to leave but his heart said to stay and chat like we were old friends and so We spoke at length.
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) April 13, 2016
13). Michael had moved from Texas a college kid eager to follow a dream of motorsports and finance. Tonight was his night to share his dream
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) April 13, 2016
14). He passed in the hours to come, I guess not everyone gets to live their dream...
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) April 13, 2016
May this we never forget.
Godspeed @MichaelMastalez