Racing is a family event. Here, two year old Trevor climbs onto his dad’s car.
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ValdostaScene | SEPTEMBER 2013
No parent ever truly recovers from the loss of a child, and today, Lee and Margaret Anne can talk about Victoria and her illness but eight years later, the pain in their eyes is unmistakable. Travis, now 20, was only 13 and Ronnie, now 18, was only 10 when they lost their little sister. Lee and Margaret Anne expanded their family, with sons Trevor, 2, and Jesse Lee, 4, and life at the Newsome house continues at breakneck speed daily, with a shop and a yard full of race cars and energetic boys who are always on the go. Travis and Ronnie competed in numerous sports in school, but for Travis, his primary passion became paint ball, winning numerous tournaments and national championships in the sport. Ronnie, though, caught the racing fever from Lee at an early age, and today is competing, and winning, against older, more experienced drivers. Dreams of a future in NASCAR are never far from his mind. And neither are thoughts of his little sister.
Lee began using racing as a means of raising awareness of pediatric cancer after Victoria’s diagnosis, and has raised thousands of dollars for St. Jude’s hospital and other organizations over the years. He and Ronnie’s cars are either the number “8” or “88,” for the age Victoria was when she died. And Ronnie is continuing that legacy. Race fans in South Georgia know the Newsome crew well. Lee, Ronnie and team member John Wesley are regulars at Needmore Speedway in Norman Park and South Georgia Motorsports Park in Cecil. The drivers have a cadre of friends and family supporting them in following their racing passion who serve as pit crew and cheer them on. Trevor and Jesse Lee are as comfortable at the track as they are at home, playing with their own race cars in the pit area under the ever watchful eyes of Margaret Anne. They wear protective ear gear during the loud races, playing while their Mom videotapes.