On the morning of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series first race in Alabama the news of NASCAR Champion and Chelsea Alabama native, Charlie Bradberry spread with disbelief through the garage. Bradberry, NASCAR's Southeast Touring Division Champion in 2003, who had just been in the Talladega garage on Friday visiting with friends and fellow competitors was now gone.

 Just 24 years old Bradberry had compiled an impressive racing resume, NASCAR Champion, Snowball Derby Champion and just this year was the Champion of the Miller Lite Super Late Model Series at Mobile International Speedway.

Barnstorming across the southeast in 2006, Bradberry and his family owned team, collected 6 poles, 6 wins and 14 top 5's in just 24 starts. Bradberry's domination of Southeast super late model racing in 2006 had him squarely in the sites of NASCAR owners looking for new talent in 2007. Bradberry would have been up to the challenge.

Rick Crawford: "I'm still in a state of shock. We saw Charlie in the garage on Friday and now he's gone. Charlie was a great racer but more importantly he was a great person. I don't think he ever met a stranger and I'm really going to miss him. My thoughts and prayers go out to his Mom & Dad, his wife Brandi and his brother Gary. We lost a good one when we lost Charlie."

Funeral Arrangements From Birmingham News: Visitation is Monday for family at 3 p.m. and 5 to 8 at Ridout's Southern Heritage Chapel. Funeral services are Tuesday, October 10, 2006 at 2 p.m., Rev. Jonathan Todd officiating. Burial at Union United Methodist Church Cemetery in Chelsea. Ridout's Southern Heritage directing.