Our fearless leader, Jeff Gilder, has often mentioned the fact that I am "wordy". In other words, I am known to talk too much, and that is probably true. If I had a penny for every time I had to write, "I will not talk in class" when I was in school, I would own at least four winning Cup Teams and would probably be able to buy NASCAR from Brian France. However, tonight is not going to be one of those nights.
I had a very long conversation with a good friend of mine from church this past Friday evening and what started off with a racing discussion eventually included baseball, football, golf, soccer, lacrosse and basketball. That was before we got into the absurdity of that boxing match in Las Vegas, which disgusted both of us. Speaking of which, I saw an interview on the news with a man who paid $180,000.00 for eight tickets. People were paying $100.00 for pay-for-view to watch at home. I guess if you like it, and you have that much money, then all the better for you. Truly, I find boxing to be a thoroughly disgusting event.
As my conversation with my friend continued, it was obvious that he too is more into the "good old days" than into the current sport known as Sprint Cup Racing. Discussion was much more along the lines of David Pearson, Richard Petty, Buddy Baker, and Cale Yarborough than it was about any of the current drivers. We got around to talking about the last Cup Race we attended. His was Darlington, 2001. Mine was actually the 2011 World 600 because my son-in-law obtained four tickets and asked me to take my three grandsons, at the time 7, 11, and 13. What I had anticipated as being a tough assignment turned out to be one of the most awesome times I have had with all three grandsons at once. It was a very good night for us even if we didn't get home until after 3:00 a.m. Monday morning.
This past weekend, Talladega held its first of two race weekends this year. A very serious crash in the ARCA race. We can be very thankful for the SAFER Barrier where the car hit. The Xfinity race was exciting but it was won by Joey Logano and I'm really tired of the Cup guys interloping into the lower series. Sunday's race, while having a few exciting races for position, was more attuned to watching a freight train pass before me. I'm happy Junior won and was impressed with his Victory Lane interview. I have had comments already from several friends almost evenly split on whether it was an exciting race or a boring race. I'll just leave it as it being "a race".
I deplore the NASCAR advertising that glorifies the multi-car accidents with spectacular crashes and flips. I deplore the fact that one of the biggest news items on the sports feeds I read each day had nothing to do with racing but involved the barbeque sauce wrestling where two contestants (scantily clad females, maybe even Danica) threw each other around a pit filled with barbeque sauce. Every much as disgusting as the fight in Vegas. Of course, the FOX broadcast crew had to mention that Sunday for anyone who may have missed the news feeds. Again, thoroughly disgusting.
The sport I love and care about was built by men with a purpose. Oh sure, some were rough and tumble and course with their language, but the chances of any of them wrestling in barbeque sauce is zero. Somewhere, somehow, my sport has turned into a spectacle of silliness with very few real drivers. Even my nemesis, D.W., was talking Sunday about what it was like to drive a race car back in the day and how these pretty boys of today sit there with their HANS Devices, wrap around seats, spotters on the roof, power steering and the like and just steer the car. I promise you, D.W. said it, I didn't, but sometimes I do see it that way.
This Saturday, several of us will return to the NASCAR Hall of Fame. From the theater presentation at the beginning, through the "Glory Road" and up to the "History Floor" is well worth the trip and the time. Then, to gather in the restaurant with all who attend and spend an hour or more recalling memories of days gone by while enjoying some good food caps off an exciting day for a race fan. I hope many of you listening will meet us at the main entrance to the Hall of Fame in Charlotte at 10:15 Saturday morning to share in this event. Whether or not you agree with the selection process for those enshrined, a day at the Hall is great for a race fan.
So, tonight, The Legend is not so wordy as usual. Guess I'm saving it for Saturday, or maybe the events of the weekend just took away much of my fire I usually use to write. Whatever the reason, hope you enjoyed the brevity Jeff.
