Just my thoughts. Don't blame Jeff or Racers Reunion

After watching today's Daytona 500, the Great American Race, I would offer the following thoughts of the man formerly known as "The Legend".

1. This was racing the way I like it. Competitive, close, fairly accident free, definitely free of "the big one" and a close finish with drama.

2. Jamie McMurray is a CLASS ACT. I first knew that when he missed the Chase a few years ago (the October after Katrinia) where he finished 11th (10 in the chase then) and he didn't make it. The interviewer asked him how he felt about missing it and he said something to the effect that considering what had happened in New Orleans, missing the Chase was so inconsequential. He impressed me that night as a human being. After that night, whether or not he ever won a race, I would be a fan of Jamie McMurray. Today, he did us all proud! The win means a great deal to him as it does to all of us who truly believe that, in the end, good guys will prevail.

3. Greg Biffle is a CLASS ACT as well. We knew this the way he stepped up with support for the Memory Lane Racers Reunion Hall of Fame. We knew this from the interview he did with Jeff posted right here on Racers Reunion. To see him in Victory Lane celebrating and complimenting Jamie was, simply stated, awesome. Greg drives a Ford, Jamie a Chevrolet. That doesn't usually happen. Even more, when the guy just beat you when it was you who should have won, it takes a real class act to show up like Greg did, smiling and laughing, having just lost the biggest race of the year. I'll be adding Mr. Biffle to my list of drivers I'll be pulling for each week.

4. I am disappointed that, on a day when NASCAR had the opportunity to really shine, a hole in the track brought what is surely embarrassment to Daytona and NASCAR. I've already had one fan question me on the mentality of a major sport who cannot seem to patch a hole on a race track in two attempts, the first of which far exceeded an hour. NASCAR didn't need such a distraction, especially on a day when there were possibly a few extra million folks watching because the weather up north and in the mid west is keeping folks house bound. For sure, the hole was not exactly NASCAR's fault, but such a clownish effort to repair it should not have occurred.

5. I am very privileged to have a nice high def television to watch the races and am amazed at the picture quality that allows me to see every detail of what is going on both on the track and in the pits. Unfortunately, that same tv allows me to see such travesty as Brian France attempting to explain the repair of the hole in the track. I did observe, of at least I think I did, that he never referred to the hole as a "pot" hole.

6. I continue to question the people behind the advertising campaigns such as the "Digger" situation on Fox and several other companies as to how they view the demographic race fan. I cannot, for the life of me, understand what people would rush out to buy some of these products based upon the commercials that are run during the race. Either I am so under educated as to miss the point of those commercials, or there simply is no point to most of them. The "Gillette 500"????? Someone please explain that to me, especially the Kyle Busch comment "we don't do hamburgers".

7. I think when Ned Jarrett got to "call the last lap" of the Daytona 500 his son won, it was classbroadcasting and a very heart warming event. To hear D.W. screaming into the microphone on the last lap "Go June Bug" was disgusting, disturbing, and totally unprofessional. I have major issues with D.W., which I will be happy to address to his face as I once did at Rockingham, but I doubt I'll ever be given that opportunity. Having him in the booth makes it a chore to watch races on Fox but,apparently, he must be loved by some fans. Then again, considering where the fans of today have put the sport, maybe that is a reason for such indulgence. I simply am not now, nor was I ever, a fan of D.W. Want to know something funny though? The first time he came to Darlington with the Terminal Transport car, I remarked to several friends on top of our motorhome after the race that "that guy is going to be a star". I've only said that about a handful of drivers over my long association with the sport and I was right about him. A star he did become. Unfortunatelly, he never got the class to go with it.

8. I think that NASCAR's effort to put some part of the history back in the sport it admirable. However, I twice heard today, once from Larry Mac and once from D.W., that the history of the sport began in 1980. I can't help but wonder what it was I was watching those 28 years before that history began. At the very least they should have let 1979 begin the history because NASCAR likes to present the 1979 Daytona 500 as THE event that attacted the attention of the nation.

9. When I was watching the early part of the race and Allmendinger had that number 43 out front, I was wondering how emotional I would get if 43 ended up in Victory Lane. I didn't get that chance today but I admire and applaud Jamie McMurray for showing the emotion he did. Now I should be ok to shed a few tears of joy to see the number 43 back in Victory Lane. Just wish it could have been in The Daytona 500.

10. Next Sunday the crew will be in California, probably the most boring speedway in the country. I admit part of my total dislike for that Planet Hollywood hole in the universe is because it took my beloved Southern 500 from Labor Day weekend. I've never been to that track, never liked that track, never will like that track and, if I was financially able, I would rent the bulldozer for Robbie to bulldoze that track into oblivion. Speaking of Robbie, I glad he is/was my friend because he is one dude I want on MY side.

So, there you have my thoughts. Hit me with yours. We have some of the smartest and most sincere race fans on the planet as members right here on Racers Reunion. I say what I think and I want to hear what you have to say. You probably won't change my mind. Oh, and one more thing, I'll supply the duct tape to anyone who'll use it on D.W.'s mouth.

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.


updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM

Totally agree. I have always thought Jamie McMurray has always been a class act. After today I gained so much more respect. Showing the emotion he did, showed me is one of the ones I can count on one hand that has class and is a true human being. And now to Darrell. He showed his true idiot side with that last lap call. And now to the top of the heap of the idiots, Brian France. That pot hole problem ruined what could have been a big turning point for Nascar and try to regain some of its luster. Well that all crashed and burned and it didnt help that he came on there and tried to expain it. I have one thing to say to you, Tim. Boogity Boogity Boogity! Lets go racing boys! Now if that isnt the most embarrasing thing. But coming from the source its not surprising.

Tim, can't argue with your comments. As far as the groundhog, woodchuck, gofer or whatever that darn thing is, .22's work really well. If you can't get rid of them that way, some fox or coyote urine at least moves them somewhere else. Leaves a heck of a smell but it works!! I think it's the predator/prey thing.DW and Larry Mac should find something else to do. Darrell wrings his hands or plays with his mic and gets way too excited before he speaks and then goes on and on. I like Mike Joy, but never cared for those other 2. They also went waayyy too long with Danica today. Wasn't even in the race but still managed to get mentioned.The race was good and I was so happy to see RCR running so well. They usually are in the shadows of Hendrick Motorsports. Also was happy that Gibb's Toyota's weren't much of a factor. I'm a Ford guy so I enjoyed most of the race being a Roush fan. Jamie shared his feelings of what racing should be all about. It's okay to feel overwhelmed after driving so hard all day and pulling out a win. He deserved it today.That track pothole wasn't something that suddenly appeared today. I come from an area of the country where we deal with water and it's freeze/thaw properties all year long. There are signs of problems long before it tears up, even if the bumps were causing the cars to drag the pavement. Someone just needs to walk the track instead of driving it. How come Michigan doesn't tear up?? They seal the cracks and seams and repave before it's too late. Not wait 'til the biggest race of the year to "patch" with the world watching. How embarrassing. I sat wondering what would happen if Nascar called it a race with 78 laps remaining. Uproar??Just some of my thoughts, Tim.Pete

Tim i agree it was a good race i think starting the race at one oclock was good but plese don`t get me started on DW and Larry i will tell you about that at RR Columbia Speedway in April

Great read Tim. Jamie deserve that and he did a great job Sunday How ironic is it that he was curbed at Roush and pop's Daytona in the #1 car. We needed this kind of thing to happen with an underdog of sorts taking the "500".I'm with you on the DW deal, he makes me want to throw up. I did not see the broadcast but listened to the race on the radio. DW and Mac said that Nascar's history started in 1980 ? What is that ? Maybe it did start in 80 for DW. After all he did have to start with a clean slate after Petty whipped is ASS for the title in "79".We will see if Nascar pays attention to real factual history. A pothole developed at the other end of the speedway during the 500 in 1978. Babby Allison said that his car was good enough to drive around it and he won. The track was paved before the next 500. The first thing I read about the problem this time was that they have no intention of repaving the track. What a bunch of DUMMIES.

Richard, I didn't know about the pothole in 1978. Guess it goes to show they won't repave until the track starts to come up. I think that was the last time Daytona was repaved and smooth out the bumps. Spend some of your moldy money Nascar!! Drivers say they want it patched, but it's time to replace that surface...after all, it's 32 years old according to what Larry, Darrell and Darrell said.Pete Richard Guido said:

Great read Tim. Jamie deserve that and he did a great job Sunday How ironic is it that he was curbed at Roush and pop's Daytona in the #1 car. We needed this kind of thing to happen with an underdog of sorts taking the "500".

I'm with you on the DW deal, he makes me want to throw up. I did not see the broadcast but listened to the race on the radio. DW and Mac said that Nascar's history started in 1980 ? What is that ? Maybe it did start in 80 for DW. After all he did have to start with a clean slate after Petty whipped is ASS for the title in "79".

We will see if Nascar pays attention to real factual history. A pothole developed at the other end of the speedway during the 500 in 1978. Babby Allison said that his car was good enough to drive around it and he won. The track was paved before the next 500. The first thing I read about the problem this time was that they have no intention of repaving the track. What a bunch of DUMMIES.