Although I continued to go to a race from time to time, it was usually in the Press Box or the grandstands. Then, one day, maybe 20 years ago, he started a new job and his company sent him to Columbia to train. He actually came by the house one of those evenings and we talked racing for hours. When he was leaving that night, we promised to keep in touch but as often happens, his life was going on in Reidsville, NC and my life was going on here in Columbia and,once more, we lost contact. It was through RacersReunion that we reconnected a couple of years ago and I actually got to spend some time with him and his dad in Hillsborough at the annual Celebration of the Automobile. Then we were both at Phillip Walkers event in Raleigh, January a couple of years ago.
The point of all that background is to say that Kenneth and Cory Latham have teamed up for an event on April 27th to help a fellow racer, Rodney Cook. Rodney is fighting cancer and, as race fans often do, some are attempting to help Rodney out with expenses of living. The event is posted in the “Events Section” of the Stock Car RacersReunion page, but just make a note now that it is April 27, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Rock Church, 1901 Barnes Street, Reidsville, NC. This will be an auction and a car show as well. You can get more information by calling Kenneth Smithey at 336-344-8400 or Cory Latham at 336-847-1050. You can also visit www.funwoodauction.com to see what items may be up for auction. As I told someone earlier today when talking about this, if Kenneth Smithey is involved with it, then I fully support it. Any of you in the area or even close by, please try to participate. Depending on the price of gas that weekend, I may have to pull out my cowboy hat and boots and head up that way.
Okay, now on to my thoughts about this past weekends races. I thought the Nationwide race was good, but I was surprised at the roughness of the Fontana track. That race, together with all my past experiences watching Fontana events, assured me that Sunday was going to be less than stellar racing. I was preparing for nap time when I settled down in my recliner at 3:00 p.m. Sunday. True to my statement of last week, I turned the volume completely off on the television and put on a headset radio so I could listen to MRN. Sunday was a “Waltrip free zone” in the Legend’s household. Boy, was that a treat! What a pleasure. But that’s not really worth even talking about anymore. I’ve resolved that situation quite favorably.
I did find out, and I don’t know how I’ve missed this, but Barney Hall, someone I consider one of the very best race announcers is “under the weather” and was not in the MRN booth. The crew covering the event, however, were exceptional and, as last week, what a pleasure to watch the race through my radio.
I also found out that I was not only wrong about my preconceived idea of the racing from Fontana, but I was very, very wrong. Although Kyle Busch was making a mockery out of the field for the most part, leading most of the race, I thought the race was extremely competitive. Those guys were putting on quite a show, quite different from any previous events I’ve seen at that hazardous waste dump in California. When I think of racing in California in a good light, I think about the Riverside events in the 60s and 70s. Those were some memorable events and for a long time that was the first race of the season. I remember listening to some of those races in the 60s, barely able to hear the broadcast through the static on the A.M. station as the sun went down here in South Carolina and the A.M. band had to cut back their power. That is almost funny to think about these days.
I didn’t watch any of the prerace shows so FOX lost a viewer during that time period but one thing I’m very sure of is that FOX couldn’t care less. FOX couldn’t care less if no one watched because they are getting their sponsorship money and considering the number of commercials they run during a broadcast, they are doing well. I tuned in on TV just as my radio was telling me the colors were being presented. I heard the National Anthem over my radio while I watched the guys singing it on television.
Ok, ok, I digress. Getting back to the race, I was impressed from lap one on at the racing, sometimes four abreast, and the seeming ability of the Gen-6 cars to negotiate the “areo” demon without apparent consequence. Again, as I watched the cars bounce around on that rough track to the point of actually wearing off part of the splitters on some cars I wondered why that had not been remedied before the event, but then, considering the history of that track, I would assume it never crossed the minds of those in charge to do something about that.
So what did you all think of the event? What did you think of the end of the race? What about the Tony Stewart-Joey Logano incident after the race? I have received telephone calls, e-mails, and comments on my social media site taking all sides in each of those matters. I have kept up with Forum posts right here on our site and read comments from many who have chosen to comment on other sites I visit. Just like our country is divided along party lines, so is the racing community divided along the lines of which driver you like, or which driver you dislike. I read a very long thread on one of my social network sites which was started by someone who didn’t like Joey or Tony and after 40 some odd posts from all corners of the country and all manner of fans, about the only thing really decided is that nothing was decided! It’s all how we each perceive what we see. It all depends on where you allegiance lies, with what driver, what brand of car or whatever.
But, let’s look at it this way. Sunday was a huge present for NASCAR. Notwithstanding Denny Hamlin’s injuries, the racing and the outcome could not have been better. It would have been nice to have had a SAFER barrier on the wall where Denny hit and perhaps his injury would not be as severe. The finish of that race was about as good as the 1976 ending of the Daytona 500 between The King and the Silver Fox. If a non-fan was channel surfing and happened to catch that last lap, it is a good probability that the non-fan will tune in for Martinsville. Kyle Busch was magnificent with that pass on the outside to win the race. For those who believe the fight at the end of the 1979 Daytona 500 contributed to the growth of the sport, you should be ecstatic about the Tony-Joey dust up in the pits afterwards. Then when Tony was interviewed we could all be glad there was enough of a tape delay to beep out the profanity.
Look at what NASCAR has gained! Competitive race cars in the Gen-6. A rivalry or two which everyone says they need and the NASCAR commercials even endorse. In fact, Joey only has about 39 drivers left and he will have a rivalry with the entire starting field. Hope he learns to back up that mouth of his. Maybe he and Danica would be an even match in a fight, but I’m not sure he can handle her. NASCAR has also shown it can have a competitive race on a track notorious, very notorious, for less than stellar races. In fact, most races at Fontana worked better than Ambien putting folks to sleep.
For the Chad/Jimmie “haters”, he was never a factor in that race. Are you happy? Did you like that NASCAR?
For the Danica “lovers”, she did finish, be it a lap down, but she did finish. Are you happy? Did you like that NASCAR?
For Junior Nation, your man is leading the points. Do you like that? How about you NASCAR? Are you already making new commercials about Dale, Jr. leading the points, I’m sure. Martinsville has got to love that.
For Toyota management: Are you happy that your brand finally won an event within shouting distance of your U.S. Headquarters. Sort of makes the folks back in Japan smile over that one, huh?
I said, before Daytona, that I was looking forward to this season and seeing what this new car would do. Daytona was a disappointment, as was Phoenix. Las Vegas was pretty good and Bristol was enlightening. Fontana was what I was hoping we would get this year, although I didn’t expect it to happen there. Let’s hope that carries over to the mile and a half cookie cutters. If so, we’re going to have a great year. I’m looking forward to seeing what Martinsville will do for slam-bang action with Joey versus the field. Darlington should be awesome as well. I’m excited.
One final thought before I leave you. This Sunday is Easter. Easter is the very essence of the Christian religion. That empty tomb found that first Easter morning is proof that our Savior lives and because he does, so do we. I wish each and every one of you of the Christain faith a very Happy and blessed Easter. To my Jewish Friends, a wonderful Passover. To all other faiths, whatever that might be, my best to each of you.
If you’ve enjoyed your visit so far, we invite you to check out the Stock Car RacersReunion site by clicking here. By simply creating a log-in you will have access to over 100,000 vintage racing photos and thousands of articles, stories and conversations, some with legendary participants whose names you will recognize. As part of our racing family, you are free to enjoy the Chat Room and all Forums will be open for discussing your passion for racing with others of like mind. RacersReunion truly is where legends and fans unite.
If you’ve enjoyed your visit so far, we invite you to check out the Stock Car RacersReunion site by clicking here. By simply creating a log-in you will have access to over 100,000 vintage racing photos and thousands of articles, stories and conversations, some with legendary participants whose names you will recognize. As part of our racing family, you are free to enjoy the Chat Room and all Forums will be open for discussing your passion for racing with others of like mind. RacersReunion truly is where legends and fans unite.
