Bryan was from Cape Coral Florida and will be remembered as a great guy, racer and all around straight shooter. It's sad to think that this 28 year old will not be coming home. He leaves behind a loving family and a ton of friends. He was one of us, a member of a special group of people who make up the South Florida Racing community.

Godspeed Bryan

- Smokin Joe

from Craig -

I would like to make a statement to the roadracing community about the death of Bryan Cassell Jr. at Daytona on Saturday, October 18th 2003.

My name is Craig Whitehead. I've been riding motorcycles for over 30 years. I just got my competition license this year and had my first race weekend at Moroso in September. When I and my friends showed up, we were pitted next to Bryan and his team. I can't tell you how nervous I was, racing for the first time and all.

Bryan never hesitated to make us feel welcome to the racing community. His advice and encouragement were essential to the outcome of my weekend.

I left Moroso with a 4th place and an excitement in my life that I had finally joined the ranks of the road racing bunch. I admired Bryan for his hospitality. He instantly put me at ease by making me feel welcome. I couldn't stop talking about what a great weekend I had at Moroso to my family and friends. I know Bryan's immediate friendly attitude made a huge difference in my performance that first important weekend.

I can't express in words to Bryan's family and friends how saddened I am at the loss of such an all around great guy.

I will never understand why things like this happen. I know the degree of danger and consequences involved in this sport are not in our favor, but this tragedy is just not right.

Powers greater than us will only know why this had to happen and I want Bryan's family and friends to know that the racing community will miss him deeply.

God speed #944.

Craig Whitehead

I would also like to say a few words about Bryan.
by Charles Mopp

I was pitted with my good friend Craig Whitehead next to Bryan and his team. Upon arriving we didn’t know what to do first and what to do next (being our first race weekend ever). Bryan and his team helped us set up our pit area and we combined all our canopies to make one big one. He helped us out with where to go and in what order to do them in. The whole weekend we felt like this is one big team and that is how he and his friends made us feel. People like Bryan is why I got into racing, they make it fun, friendly and less stressful.

When I got 2nd place in AM Lightweight Supersport, it was him and his team who came running down to tech. with my stand and tools. They were as excited for me as I was for myself. All this from a group of people who knew me for 48 hrs. THAT is how genuinely nice he was.

This is why I felt I needed to write this. Even though I didn’t know him as well as would have liked, I do know this, he was good people. On Saturday, October 18th, the roadracing community lost an great racer, supporter and friend to all.


Charles Mopps #925