Quite a bit has changed in NASCAR country since the strong years of growth.
http://speedwayreport.com/where-have-you-gone-race-city-u-s-a/
Gimmicks have not brought a single new fan to this sport. An existing fan brings new fans to the sport. But when you chase away the longtime fans...
Playoffs have no place in motorsports- my opinion.
http://speedwayreport.com/voting-against-auto-racing-playoffs/
For all of the criticism I give NASCAR, I must give credit to the sanctioning body- and all forms of auto racing- for their patriotism. My column about the latest NFL National Anthem controversy... and how proud I am of motorsports. Have a read. Thanks, all!
http://speedwayreport.com/auto-racing-raises-the-bar-where-nfl-drops-the-ball/
Gentlemen, we are welcome to disagree on this one. I saw some great racing when I was growing up and a lot of passing. Drivers did not use their front bumper as a tool to get around someone. Open wheel modifieds with the fast guys starting in the back, in the days before spotters and radios were not with every car. I am glad to have witnessed the talent and and driving I did. That is what I was brought up on. That is what I admire and appreciate to this day. I am glad you guys read the story and shared your opinions, even if they are different from mine.
This photo has made the internet rounds plenty. Look further back in this race. Bodine got loose and believed Evans caused him to do it. Eyewitness accounts (of which I was not one, but I will go with third-running Maynard Troyer who said there was water on the track because he could see steam coming off others' rear tires) said Bodine slipped up and Evans took the lead. This was about two laps to go. Bodine felt Evans used the bumper. There was space between the cars and Evans did not touch Bodine. Bodine had a retalitory move in mind out of anger. Whether Bodine believes Rubbin' is or is not racing, I do not know. I did not interview him for the article. I do know I have seen him make many clean passes in my childhood growing up. I stand by my story.
Gee, I wish I had 8mm film of the hundreds of laps Bodine and Fred DeSarro ran at Thomspon on Sunday nights in Modifieds where they did not touch. There were plenty of races where they raced like racers, not bulls in China shops. Bodine had a reputation for bumping more than others... and he was not popular for it. It was not his Modus Operandi. He raced clean- like you are supposed to- plenty of times for many years. But he had his moments up north and down south. I refer you to paragraph 16.
Blocking is a different column to write all together. That is not addressed here. If someone is leading and you try to pass like you should, and then the leader blocks.. the front bumper is in play. That is a different scenario than what is addressed here in my story. But thanks for reading and I appreciate all other opinions.
