Mark Lyle, the Chief Starter for the NHRA passed away yesterday while vacationing in Mexico with friends and family. Reports from around the web are stating that Lyle drowned while attempting to help a friend who was struggling in the water. The news is devastating to the NHRA community that saw Mark Lyle for the guy that he was, a man who was great at his job, a man who loved his job, and a man who had done what so few are ever able to do in their chosen vocation, make it to the top.

The job of drag strip starter is one of those positions that can be defined as hours of boredom punctuated by seconds of action. Yes, there are rumbling hot rods to your left and right all day but there is also a routine to the way these things work and the good ones, the few of them that there are, the Mark Lyles don’t fall into it. They maintain a focus on the cars, the track, the starting line itself, and the safety of those around them. Because of that they prevent disasters or react so quickly to situations that others would freeze in the rest of us just have to bow in appreciation for their presence. The NHRA chief starter’s job carries with it several more layers of duty than that of the local track starter. There’s the pressure of keeping things moving, of making snap judgement calls on live television, and of potentially angering teams or crews when the law of the land has to be enforced. If Mark felt any of that weight he never really showed it.

Yes, there were trying moments. Atlanta in 2014 was one that Mark shared his opinions on publicly via social media. It was a rough weekend with terrible weather, a track that wasn’t all that grand to begin with, and one that certainly did not come around to anyone’s favor by the end of the weekend. Speaking directly to the man’s character he stood up raised his hand and took responsibility whether it was actually his situation or not. The guy wanted the best for every competitor ranging from the junior dragster kids all the way to the top fuel guys and girls.

Mark smiled a lot and that is one of the things so many are talking about. He loved what he did. He loved every second of it. The long days, the hot days, the days when it looked like he had been inside a sweltering coal mine for 14 hours at a whack, he enjoyed it all. His presence was not one of intimidation on the starting line, his presence was one of benevolent confidence. He spoke when he needed to speak and when he did, people listened. On more than one occasion we all watched Mark approach a racer who was angry about something on the starting line, state his case as to why events transpired as they did and if not give the person comfort, give them a reason for what they just saw.

There have been three chief starters in NHRA history. There will soon be a fourth. Buster Couch is the Ruthian figure by which all will be measured and as fair or unfair as that may be, Mark relished it. He relished that chance to own the moment when he needed to and understood that there were times when the best thing he could do was nothing at all and that brings us to one final point. The moment that will stand to define the far too short career of a man who threw the switch and made the calls at the starting line. Denver 2015.

It was at this race that the NHRA pro stock teams were delivered the news that their current engine and body combos would be good until the end of the season and when Pomona rolled around it would be a new ball game. It was an exciting weekend for the class from the perspective of a guy who was interacting with the drivers and crew chiefs. Tensions were high and the news of the changes were threatening to upstage the race itself…until the final round.

In the final, Allen Johnson was to face off against Larry Morgan. Johnson has been the dominant force in pro stock at Bandimere. One of the few guys who had invested the time and money to test there and develop some sort of a combo that would work had netted him wins and the status as the “King” of the mountain. Larry Morgan, ever the crafty racer needed an edge and he got it in the form of a 1:32 starting line battle of wills that Mark Lyle officiated. Like the symphony conductor that knows when to let the band play on and lower his baton strokes, Lyle literally stepped back, checked his watch, and decided to let this thing play out to its natural end.

He did not wave his arms, point the drivers in, grandstand, or otherwise peacock up there. He stood like an oak with his arms crossed and giddy as a kid inside that he was in the middle of the whole thing. The result was the most entertaining final that NHRA pro stock has seen in a decade or more. All because Mark Lyle was smart enough to know when he needed to exert the measurable weight of his position and when he didn’t.

He will be missed by all.

Here’s one of the moments that will define Mark Lyle’s tenure as NHRA chief starter, calm and cool as ever –