Attention Brian France

So with all the talk about NASCAR "fixing" things, here's a couple suggestions: First start by making the cars something people can RECOGNIZE...The sport was built on the shoulders of fans who rooted for and against Ford, Chevy and Chrysler. (see Holman Moody, Bud Moore and Cotton Owens) Secondly try to make the drivers something the fans can relate to. Again, the sport was built by drivers who worked on their cars, had grease under their nails and didn't complain because the car was "aero loose." (see Cale Yarborough and David Pearson) and lastly, REMEMBER YOUR PAST. Most drivers wouldn't know Curtis Turner if he popped out of the grave, punched them in the mouth and stole their woman. All other major sports embrace their past and their heroes. You might notice that those sports are doing pretty well.......Just my opinion, i could be wrong....
updated by @don-smyle: 12/05/16 04:04:08PM

Speaking of the drivers not knowing their predecessors who popularized this fine sport....uh here we go. One of my pet peeves relates to charities. I do appreciate all the attention todays drivers bring to their chosen charities and anything they can do there is a huge plus. But...you knew there was a but didn't you. There is an organization called the "Racing Legends Medical Hardship Fund" that has been around for some 20 years. It was started by some really cool folks that y'all will recognize...Mike Sykes, Jimmy Lewallen, Tim Flock...to name a few. It is part of the "Old timers Racing Club". Over the years some of our heroes contributed to this fund and helped it along its way to assist those from our racing past who needed help. Recently...as the early participants continue to age, the fund has struggled. You see, the newer generation drivers who CAN afford to help because of the path created by many of those who need help...aren't stepping up to the plate. Currently I do not know of one who has chosen to represent this very worthwhile charity. Many do not even recognize the names of those who may need help. Really sad to me....hmmm. It would seem to me this should be important to those who are making some serious money...because of those who did not...those who worked on their cars...grease under their nails....sitting on pit wall or the tailgate of a pick up eating potted meat sandwiches while talking to fans and even signing few autographs.

I have written several articles about this over the past three years and have fallen down on the job....failing in my opinion. And although we attempt to raise money at our events...it has been very small compared to the needs of many. I commit to all of you to do more to bring attention to this group until...hopefully....a current driver or some other fortunate one, decides to become our hero and starts a series of donations to the "Racing Legends Medical Hardship Fund". All who purchased the movie, Red Dirt Rising helped...and all who purchase in the future can help as well. The link is on this site. You can find out more information about the Racing Legends Medical Hardship fund on their new site...link below.

http://racinglegends/org

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Founder/Creator - RacersReunion®

Jeff, beautiful sentiments very well expressed about the Hardship Fund. The guys who are working on that are truly some of my present day heroes for sure. You are so right, as we pointed out at the Racers Reunion Memory Lane Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, that the drivers of today OWE their very existence to the guys we inducted in the two classes there so far and to so many more of those drivers who now experience the hardships for which the Fund was established. I wish that I was truly a Legend so I could be the one to bring the attention of the fund to the racing public. This is definitely something we need to work on and I'm totally with you!

Tim

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What a change! It's been awhile since I've checked in and I'm quite surprised. It may take me awhile to figure it our but first look it's really great.

Don, you are so on point it's actually scary. If you, me, and many others can figure all these things out, why aren't we paid the "big bucks"? What NASCAR has become is a colorful flash of Saturday night or Sunday afternoon Hollywood drama, or comedy, depending on the winner. It is sad that the sport to which I devoted so much of my life is now the passion of the fickle public of the electronic age which today has and I-phone and tomorrow will want a Star Trek type teleporter. What I wanted most, from the time I knew what it was, was a driver's license and a car. I know 16 and 17 year old guys right now who have NO interest in driving. Not many,but some and that shocks me. I actually know teenage boys and girls that don't know the difference between a sports car and a SUV and aren't even sure what a pickup truck is. As for remembering the past, you are, again, so factual. I have several stories of actual events I was a part of or witnessed as they happened, where some of the drivers, big names, of the 60s and 70s were totally overlooked by the

90s. I guess all fans now attend the Darrell Waltrip School for NASCAR history in which he teaches it all started in 1980. I sure would like to have a one-on-one with Jaws one day but he's too busy preaching the Gospel of D.W. and Digger.

Keep the pressure on Don. If you can find anyone in NASCAR to listen to you, go for it. Obviously they don't read the fans suggestions either here or many other venues where they are offered. The only thing Brian reads, if, in fact he can read and comprehend, is what Sponsors and television networks tell him. And as for network television, any network that would condone "boogity, boogity, boogity" at the start of a race, should be televising cockfighting from a pit in the Alabama backwoods somewhere. That is disgraceful.

Thanks for listening and thanks for expressing your thoughts.

Tim

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What a change! It's been awhile since I've checked in and I'm quite surprised. It may take me awhile to figure it our but first look it's really great.

Don if you can get anything out of Daytona go for it and thanks for trying. Jeff you my friend have not failed. You tried as many have to get the attention of some of todays drivers most are not interested unless they have TV camera or a hord of reporters around to get them a lot of publisity this like alot of things you do are a lobor of love for the fans and the drivers,mechanics,car owners and other personell that helped develop this sport into what it is today. And like I said most of them could care less about the history of the sport.....

Pkl

With the help of Todd Morris, they have a web site up now. It is http://racinglegends.org . As I said in the earlier post, I'm guilty for letting this issue die down. Although we bring attention at our events, I haven't done enough to keep stirring the pot till someone steps up to the plate.I agree with you, there are some who would be good for this cause....getting the word to them is the key. Mike Congdin, David Ragan's former business manager is responsible for helping to get David's donation to the RacersReunion Memory Lane Hall Of Fame.

Pkl said:

Ya know what guys? I've got just the germ of an idea. I don't believe that all of today's drivers are unapproachable, just most of them. Someone got David Ragan to attend our Hall of Fame induction at Memory Lane Museum, but I don't have a clue who arranged that. That means that at least one of the youngsters actually knows there was a past to the sport. Has anyone that met him thought of asking him to help with pushing the Hardship Fund and educating some of his friends and competitors in the garage? Heck, the kid drives for Roush; he knows folks. I realize he's not the richest driver on the track, and doesn't have some fancy "Foundation" bearing his name (At least I don't think he does), but as I said, he KNOWS folks.

I have my own opinion as to which drivers might be of assistance and which ones would scorn the whole idea, figuring that they don't owe anybody anything and the world, in fact, owes them a very nice living. I'll skip that opinion, as I just might be wrong and I hate eating words before supper. However, along with David, one young racer came immediately to mind and that is Jamie McMurray, probably the most humble driver on the entire circuit and the one with the sweetest disposition and best attitude I've ever known. In keeping with Tim's new "positive" attitude (Don't count on that lasting with me) I'll say one more time, not all of the drivers are overpaid, spoiled, egotistical brats prone to temper tantrums and I just named you two.

I have to confess, I had never heard of this fund until Jeff mentioned it today. Where can I find out more about it? Do they have a website or literature available? You have piqued Mama's interest.

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Founder/Creator - RacersReunion®

I must say that everything posted here today has been spot on!!! I must also say that David Ragan and Jamie Mcmurray are two of the nicest guys out there! No I have never met them, but I know they are. Also Greg Biffle anddefiantlyCarl Edwards.