"Silver Spoons" is More Than a Television Sit-com From Days of Yore.

Let me start by saying I have not really decided just how much of a fan of the Dillon boys, Austin and Ty, I will become. I has absolutely nothing to do with Austin returning the number 3 to Cup competition. It's about time that happened, long overdue in my opinion. The issue I am having here is that I have heard several folks say, and have read many posts on social media sites about how the Dillon brothers have that "silver spoon" syndrome. Could be, but that isn't my place to say.

What I will say is this: The young man who was the star of the television show about the silver spoons recently appeared in a made for television movie which starred just about his entire family in either acting roles, production roles, or directing roles. To say that the now older man's acting ability has improved with age would be a bold faced lie. He was, in fact, awful. But the point is, he earned his position in life at a young age and can do whatever he wants to with the television industry.

As for the Dillon boys, let us just say this. In the History Minute for this morning Richard Childress finished fourth in the race at Riverside, California, which was noted, at the time, as one of his best runs in this Grand National Career. True that!

Many years ago, as my age allows me to relate, when Richard was trying to make it in the Grand National racing, he got a sponsorship from CRC Chemicals. I don't recall (another product of my advanced age) exactly what Chemicals CRC manufactured, but I do remember one incident with a young Richard Childress.

Our traveling group of probably 15 at the time, were all in the Darlington infield next to the fence by Victory lane. It was the day before the spring race, whatever it was called at the time. Richard Childress came walking through the gate near us and we called out to him. He actually came over to the motorhome and sat down for a few minutes and answered a ton of questions. That was BIG time for all of us although most of us interacted with drivers at the short tracks all the time. Of course, at the time, Childress was not considered a "star" on the circuit, but to all of us, he was a race driver and that was about all it took to impress us then.

After maybe 20 minutes, Childress had to go and he disappeared into the infield area. Late that afternoon, as the pits were closing, Richard Childress came walking over to our motorhome with a box in his hands. He began to disburse CRC Chemical caps to all of us. Sure, I know the hats didn't cost him anything and all the gesture may have cost him were a few minutes of his time but HE DIDN'T HAVE TO DO THAT.

Many may not remember the story I once heard that when he and Dale Earnhardt were considering teaming up, Richard told Dale he needed to be with another team that could provide him with what he needed. Of course Richard Childress and Dale Earnhardt eventually did become icons of the sport between their combined efforts.

My point here is that Richard Childress worked hard, sacrificed dearly, and gave much to be in the position he's in. If he chooses to give his grandsons the opportunity he has provided, not to mention making them EARN, that is his business. I have three grandsons whom I dearly love and I would do anything for them. If there is one, just one grandfather reading this who would not do the same thing, them please don't respond because I don't want to know someone like you. That may be harsh, but it expresses my feelings on that issue.

So, welcome back number 3. Welcome Austin Dillon to Cup racing. As for Richard Childress, a job well done and your success is well earned. Oh, and by the way, I still have the CRC Chemical cap you gave me that day. Seriously. The cap isn't worth a dime, but the memory of how I came to have it is priceless. Thanks, Richard.

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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.


updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:04:08PM

A great story of the past and looking toward to the future of Childress and the Dillion Boys. It will be also great to see the return of No. 3.

Thanks JAck. Being on the same page with you makes me feel like a true Legend. You take care my friend.

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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.

As one grandfather to another please let me say I agree totally with you. I really don't care whether he wears a cowboy hat or not I'm glad to see the 3 racing again. Richard is a successful racing owner and I doubt he would put his own grandson in the car if he didn't think he was ready. Both the Dillion boys have raced at several levels and done well to date. I have a beautiful modified race car sitting in my shop as we speak that I bought and finished for my nephew who discovered girls and now has changed his mind about driving. My only grandchild is a beautiful young lady who doesn't like racing so maybe I could "borrow" one of your grandsons for a couple years, lol...

Tim... this is one of those deals where only time will tell. The old adage usually runs true, though, about blood being thicker than water and racing is no exception.

I'll tell a different story here... about Richard and the Dillon boys' mother, Tina, who married driver, Mike Dillon when she grew up.

When we cut the Wrangler deal at Talladega to have Richard Childress get out of his car in August 1981 and be replaced by Dale Earnhardt, there were certain expectations.... such as promoting our product, Wrangler Jeans and always portraying the product in a positive light.

On Monday morning following our deal with Childress, we happened to have our Wrangler show car booked for an appearance at the Wrangler Ranch store inside Hanes Mall in Winston-Salem, just up Highway 52 from Childress' tiny race shop.

Before lunch, I got a call from the store manager that he was having a problem with our show car driver flirting with his female store personnel and female customers. I immediately drove from Greensboro to Winston-Salem and sent the show car driver on an all afternoon break and manned the exhibit myself.

Around mid-afternoon, I looked across the aisle from our Wrangler store at the entrance to the Levis jeans store. Walking out of that store was Childress and his young daughter, Tina - clutching Levis bags. On the very first day of our Wrangler sponsorship with him, Childress had taken his daughter ( the mother of the future Dillon boys) shopping in public for merchandise from our #1 competitor in his hometown. I was livid, but did not want to make a scene in public with his child present. However, I did walk over and call out his name and say hello at which point he turned 7 shades of red.

When I got back to my home in Greensboro that night I was ranting and raving and so upset by what Childress had done. My feeling was that I couldn't trust him. My wife calmed me down. She reminded me that my two daughters also preferred Levis to Wranglers at the time and that Richard was only trying to please his daughter. At Michigan the following week, I cautioned RC not to be seen in public with merchandise from our competitor and never mentioned it again.

I still have a feeling of betrayal 33 years later over that flaunting of our competitor's merchandise in public by RC and my wife stiill tells me I was wrontg... that there are just some things you have to do for your children.

I hope the grandsons are not spoiled brats. Again, only time will how tell how this "Silver Spoons" episode turns out.

By the way, the kid in the television show was Ricky Schroder, who later went on to play on one of those gritty NBC cop shows. I watched exactly one episode of "Silver Spoons" and about puked.

However, I have on VHS tape a 1980 made for TV movie with Schroder in the lead role playing "Little Lord Faunleroy" oppite the great actor Alec Guiness. Evey few Christmasses, we pull out that tape and watch it as a family. He gave a good performance, but how could you not opposite the guy who won the Oscar for " Bridge on the River Kwai" and played Obi in the "Star Wars" movies?!

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"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"

I think some of the "silver spoon" comments are residual hatred of Dale. But most of it is a preparatory reaction against what many fans see as a media blitz over the Dillon boys. For a long time, there was an abundance of press for Junior and he didn't live up to expectations. Then there was Danica, and she didn't live up to expectations.Racing is hard, and I don't fault someone who doesn't rack up multiple championships. But fans are tired of being sold the sizzle instead of the steak. It's less a protest about the Dillon kids as it is about the way stories are manufactured ahead of time and the script doesn't change when race turns out to go differently. Childress is just the scapegoat and he's been around long enough that people can add additional baggage one way or the other.Many people in racing have silver spoons these days. It's extremely expensive and NASCAR has made it difficult for an independent to build a car in his backyard and race it. If a driver doesn't have money, he's got to have latched onto a big sponsor. There are dozens of talented drivers who have to sit out the big series because they don't have a personality that attracts sponsors and looks good in the media.Paul Menard drives for Childress because he has a silver spoon. Chase Elliott has a silver spoon. Travis Pastrana had a silver spoon. Although it was much smaller then, Richard Petty had a silver spoon. NASCAR has a long history of nepotism. To put it plainly, if you have family in the sport, there's a better chance you'll make it than some off-roader from California.

Great story Tim i no it has got to be true Richard has worked hard for everything hes got i like Austin he reminds me of a young Davy Allison