"Good things happen to good people." While this ideal isn't always true, occasionally something nice really does happen for one of the good guys.

As editor of one of our sister--but-competing-magazines, Mark Houlahan could be considered "the enemy." However, the fact of the matter is, I've known Mark for the better part of 19 years (seriously), and during this time, Mark has become one of my dearest friends in this Mustang game we play. For as long as I've been associated with Mark, as a friend, and, since 2005, as a colleague in the Primedia/Source Interlink Media family of Mustang magazines, he has always been a really solid dude. The kind of guy who will do whatever he can to help you out, without asking for or expecting anything for it. Just a good guy, through and through.

So, when the win light in Mark's lane glowed last Saturday afternoon at Milan Dragway, confirming my boy "Hoolie" as Champion of the 2008 Ford Racing Invitational (a bracket race for a select group of magazine and Web site editors held in conjunction with the NMRA event at Milan), I was happy not only for Mark--my friend, but also for Mark--the guy who when dealt the bad hand (which seems to be often), continues to plug away, do his best, and not let the negatives get the best of him.

Cheers to 'ya, Hoolie! Savor the glory, dude. You deserve it.