When I first started doing these segments, thanks to Bopper repeatedly giving out my e-mail address, I would receive dozens of e-mails each week, many from outside the U.S. Seems this show has a good following, whether live or Memorex, in Canada, England, New Zealand, and Australia. The number of e-mails received seemed to correspond directly with what nerves I may have hit with some of my topics. One week, although I don’t recall the particular circumstance that caused me to do so, I actually complimented D.W. One young man in Charlotte took real offense at that and wrote me a long e-mail describing how he had been such a big fan of mine but if I was going to say anything good about any Waltrip, I was off his list of friends. He “unfriended” me on Facebook that very night. I did write him back and told him I was expressing MY opinion and that I was not asking him to change his mind, nor was I attempting to speak FOR him or think FOR him. He and I communicate on a semi-regular basis these days but he has never added me back as a Facebook Friend.
Until recently, I would answer each and every e-mail I received, no matter the opinions expressed therein. Over the past few months I’ve come to the point of simply deleting some of the e-mails rather than respond to an obvious attempt to draw me into an argument over something I’ve said or some other inane reason. I have said, I think repeatedly, that we are all entitled to our opinion and since I’m not seeking to sell you anything, nor am I running for public office (not yet anyway), I respect what you think even if I don’t agree and I would ask the same from you. A little mutual respect is not a bad thing, even if there are those out there in cyber land who have no clue of what respect may truly be. Maybe some of my comments in some Legendtorials would cause some to question my respect for others but I assure you I have that respect.
Now, with that preamble out of the way, let’s talk about the weekend’s races. I did not get to see the Nationwide event but I understand it was quite a good race and that the crowd was awesome. I did watch every lap of what was televised Sunday and, as always, was impressed with the road course racing. I also noticed that the crowd was exceptional as was made even more noticeable due to the continued pointing out of that fact by the crew covering the race. I read later that the fans came because the last two races at the Glen were exceptionally exciting and produced some great finishes, especially the one last year. Are you listening NASCAR? Imagine, in a month’s time we have see an incredible dirt track race with the trucks and a tremendous road course race with the Cup cars. NASCAR, does this give you a clue as to how to approach future marketing efforts and race dates?
Oh, and as I have a cousin living in the Finger Lakes area of New York, who always goes to the races at The Glen, I always looked closely at all the crowd shots on TV. Guess what I noticed? While there was a good representation of the younger fans, I was impressed that many of those in the stands and in the infield camping areas were in my age bracket or just slightly younger. It seems the racing on the road course appeals to the core fan base that helped built the sport into the multi-billion dollar empire it is today. I do hope that is not lost on the marketing gurus that continue to insult us with the inane commercials presented during the race telecasts.
I have to admit I was highly impressed with the end of that race, although disappointed that Marcos Ambrose experienced problems after dominating so much of the event. To watch Brad K. move up on Kyle Busch was awesome and exciting. When he finally caught him I was thinking “here we go, Busch in the bushes” and was quite surprised when Brad didn’t dump him. While I would have loved to see Brad win, I respected him for what he did, or didn’t do, and he explained the situation in his interview. He can differentiate between “racing and wrecking” and to know he could have possibly won the race with one little bump, he didn’t do it. And, even more importantly, he and Kyle Busch are not exactly what are called “buddies”, but I would expect Kyle will be more respectful of Brad in the future. Maybe the nickname of “Bad Brad” is on the way out and “Benevolent Brad” will come into vogue. It remains to be seen. At least Brad is now in the top ten in points for the moment so NASCAR should be happy to have it’s defending champion on the way to a possible return to the Chase. No small feat after the penalties Brad has been issued by NASCAR this season.
I am also pleased that after two successive disappointments at The Glen in the past two years, after dominating both events, that Kyle Busch finally won it. I am still not exactly what one would call a Kyle Busch fan, but I have great respect for him because of what he does for kids, which is always my soft spot. I have always respected his ability behind the wheel, it was just that attitude I felt needed adjustment. Seems he has found the balance between talent and personality. Not only will Kyle benefit from that balance, but NASCAR, as a sport, will also benefit from having an iconic driver with the personality to attract fans rather than be the portal for distraction with immature actions. I am happy for Kyle and for the sport. Maybe Jeff’s prediction that one day I will be a Kyle Busch fan is getting close to realization but don’t let him know that or I’ll never hear the end of it. Besides, Jeff never listens to what I say here. That’s why he mutes all the microphones so he and the others in the studio can talk while I do my segment. After all, Jeff is NOT always right. Don’t tell him that either or I will be in trouble for sure.
This weekend it is on to Michigan, another good track but often ruined by “fuel mileage races”. We also return to the “aero push and down force” issue which so adversely seem to impact the competition. I wish that wasn’t an issue and, for sure, the Gen-six car has resolved some of that issue but it still has an impact. There is some great racing there, but remember the sixties and seventies when there was often side-by-side racing all over the track. Remember Charlotte, 1965, when Hutch, Ned, and Freddie raced those three Fords side by side around and around the track. And for those of you waiting to pounce with the oft-repeated “back then the winner would often have several laps on the field”, you can keep that to yourself. That is your prerogative as it is my prerogative not to care about such tripe. I saw many more close finishes back in the 50s, 60s, and 70s, and yes, even into the 80s, than have been seen since the 2004 season. I guess good racing and competition is, like beauty, in the eye of the beholder.
I am a NASCAR fan. All divisions. I have been for over 60 years and I will be until the day I die. As such, I can say what I want and you can listen and agree, or listen and disagree, or you don’t even have to listen. It’s all your choice as it should be. I like it that way.
And as a final remark, remember that RacersReunion has a trip to the NASCAR Hall of Fame set for Thursday, August 22nd. We plan to meet at the main entrance about 10:30 a.m. that date. Randy Myers has been the catalyst for setting this up and we plan to make a day of it. We will have lunch in the Wild Wings which is a part of the Hall of Fame. I talked with Randy yesterday and there may be some surprises in store for those attending, but I’m not at liberty to discuss those possible surprises. Even if there are no surprises, you will enjoy a trip through the Hall. I’ve been once and it was awesome. I am really looking forward to another experience there. I hope many of you in the area will make it. Would love to meet those of you I haven’t yet met, and am looking forward to seeing, in person, those of you I have met before.
