I believe I wrote this book because of Reverend Hal Marchman (all racer's preacher)'s introduction of me to a bunch of kids at Darlington in 1996. Suddenly, it dawned on me that racing had no past...it was lost. So doesn't that go hand in hand - it therefore will have no future?
NASCAR's past up to 1970 was burned at the city dump. I decided to write the book in as close a way as it actually happened...including language and racer's view of our part of the world. We had a status of a "mon-backer"...you know the guy on the back of a garbage truck saying, "mon-back, mon-back." We were considered - and maybe we were - social trash...couldn't borrow money, couldn't buy insurance, couldn't even stay in a good hotel...had zero credit.
I doubt many people have ever lived the adventures I have. I believe my life's experiences afforded me an almost impossible act to follow...not by plan...but by the natural flow of life.
I want this book written and read in such a way you and I are sitting on a porch in rockin' chairs...you asking the questions and I'm giving you the real story. I know the book will cause some problems...there is no way to please everyone. For those who are ashamed of what you did...you did it. I'm not proud of all I did and I have tried to include my warts and bad stuff also.
If you have a legitimate criticism, let me have it...I'm not a model, but I believe my life has a loud and clear message. I think the Army says it best..."Be all that you can be." With my uncouth delivery, I still miss "thank you", "please", "you're welcome", "I appreciate it."
Kinda like the moose in the Pep Boys commercial, when he asks if the good brakes come from Pep Boys, and he says, "I appreciate that."
Proud to have been a racer? Yes, I am.
Would I trade it today? No way.
Any regrets? Yup. I wanted to win every race I run in.
Any advice to those behind me? Yes. Identify your life target early and then lock on... let nothing deter you.
Smokey
My gentle readers, as I read those words, penned by the man that I admired so very much, I couldn't help but acknowledge a fantastic coincidence... or was it? A short time ago, this column presented an article entitled, "It Wasn't Cheating When Smokey Did It... Mostly." That piece began with a reference to an old question that asks, "If you could have a conversation with any single person, living or dead, who would it be? My very sincere answer to that question was Smokey Yunick.
With that in mind, how great a coincidence can it be that today I read for the first time, his own words almost echoing my own? Or maybe it was not a coincidence at all; maybe it was an answer. There most surely are things in heaven and on earth that are not within our power of understanding.
We, the folks here at RacersReunion® are dedicated to keeping the history of our sport alive for future generations. It's what we care about; it's what we do and why we're here. Smokey would have fit right in, as his message and purpose are exactly the same. It's a shame that we can't enjoy the pleasure of his company today, but his message is one we try to deliver every single day, as it's our message too.
All I know is that one day soon I'll be sitting down once again with the first of those three volumes, each holding such a wealth of racing history, but this time I'll be sitting in a rockin' chair on the porch. By invitation, I'll be the one asking the questions, with the answers delivered by Smokey himself directly from the pages of The Best Damn Garage in Town.
Thank You! Message received.
RacersReunion®, the site where legends and fans unite, invites you to come and join us as a member. Whether you are a racer or a fan, young or old, there is a place for you here. Simply go to our Home Page and choose your style of racing, stock cars, dragsters, open wheel etc. and click on the link for that series. At the right-hand side of the page that opens, you'll see an invitation to either "Sign in" or "Sign up."
You'll find me on the stock car site. I look forward to seeing you soon.
