Forum Activity for @bumpertag

Question of the Day for March 23, 2011

General

My Uncles introduced me to NASCAR and local dirt track racing in the very early 70's. My first NASCAR race will always be special. Leading up to the race my Uncle Chris would read every newspaper he could find looking for any news about the upcoming National 500 at Charlotte. He would read the articals and show his excitement with his changing tones, especially if the artical was about David Pearson or the Woods Brothers. The morning of the race we packed food and drinks and headed off the Charlotte. All the way there he would re-live past races and tell me of stories he grew up with. As we stood in line to get tickets he balenced a large foam cooler full of his beer and repeatedlly told me, "If something happens and you need to stop, get off the steps or these fools will run over you." The seating wasn't reservered then on the back straight a way and it was first come to the best seats.

The ticket booth openned at 8:00 and we were at the window, bought our tickets ($8.00) and took our place in line at the gate and within a few minutes the gates were opened and we races up the steps to claim our seats. It was then that Uncle Chris dropped his cooler and beer and ice covered the steps. He tried to stop but was caught in the flow and was pushed up the steps, leaving his beer behind for any who were brave enough to stop and gather the free suds.

When the race was over, I couldn't hear, I was badly sunburned and I was so tired I wondered if I would make it to the car for the trip home. I was miserable. But somewhere in all the misfortune a seed was planted. One that has continue to grow and still fills me with excitement, joy and the passion that I live for. I owe Uncle Chris more than he knows.

Great question, thanks for the memories.

Bumpertag

Let me explain...

General

Thanks for all the kind words. I find that at times I pour out my heart and it doesn't come accross very well, and other times I connect with others that know just where I'm coming from. Those days make it all worth while. Thanks.

Bumpertag

Let me explain...

General

From some of the recent post I'm afraid some here at RR may have the wrong opinion of my views, and in an effort to smooth the waters, I want to take a moment to state my position. I love NASCAR and have since 1972. Naturally in my eyes no other time in the sport can equal the thrills and excitement of the racing and competition of the early to late 70's.I still get chills when someone post a great picture of those BIG cars or I hear a great story. When I think of NASCAR racing, my thoughts go back to that era first.Even though the sport began many years before, in my eyes this was the beginning ofwhat we all feel in love with and what we have carried a passion for all these years.

I may not agree with some of the views and opinions I read here but I do appreciate the passion that comes through with every word, and I understand why some feel the way they do. My only beef is when I readthat the sport today is junk and NASCAR has turned it's back on the "Ol Timers" and forgot it's roots. I understand this argument but it is wearing thin. When faced with the options they have, I think NASCAR is doing a commendable job. Sure I don't agree with some of their decisions but I don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. The COT, dropping tracks from the series and the chase are some of the things I still have mixed feeling about, but I still tune in or buy a ticket to support the series. Try as they might NASCAR will never be able to bring the sport back to what it was when I fell in love with it. The stock bodied 2 door coupes are gone, never to return. As are the days when driver could carry a lesser car to the lead. All because of the efforts of the teams to get every millisecond out of the cars and the influence of the engineers in the sport. Can we exspect the teams to "Un-Learn" all the knowledge they have gainned over the last 30 plus years? No, and why should we.

We can fuss, scream and argue with each other but the sport has morphed (or defromed) into what we have today. I can appreciate the sport today while I wish and miss the days of yesterday. I can be disappointed by some of the changes but I don't have to be negitive or critical. No amount of criticism can reverse the sport back to my favorite era and I'm tired of trying to explain my views to others who don't know the era I'm talking about. Us Ol Timers know very well that we witnessed something special and are grateful when we fined ourselves with others and can share stories and re-live the racing of our past. I love RR for this reason and I hope that in the future when we find ourselves on different sides of an opinion we can all agree that it is the passion for the sport that drives us to such extremes.

Lets Go Racin'!

Bumpertag

S. Carolina

updated by @bumpertag: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM

Question of the day for March 17, 2011

Administrative

Makes sence. Must have been a very large box!

Need your feedback

General

I don't want the past buried, but I don't want everyone comparing todays racing with that of our favorite era. That racing is gone and we all miss it. Move on. The site looks pretty good. It took me a few visits to get use to it. I have gotten comfortable with the new format, but I have to admit that the older I get the less I like change. Great job.

It IS Time to Move On

General

Thanks Randy for putting to words what so many have felt. Many of us, fans and non fans alike, can appreciate the talents and desire of Dale Earnhardt and at the same time turn our focus to the present and future of this sport. It doesn't mean that the many accomplishments of this man will be forgotten, but merely placed honorably along side the many fallen heros like Weatherly, Roberts and Turner. We the fans never forget. We love to reminisce and recall lovingly the deeds of the drivers that are no longer with us. It was their efforts that spirred the growth of the sport and they deserve our recognition.

As you stated correctly it is time. Time to give our devotion to the drivers and teams of today. Time to replace the tears of the past with a wide smile when we tell new fans of the talents of past drivers, and it is time to see the #3 on the side of a Cup car, when Austin Dillon is ready to move to that level. This may not be popular, but I think this is what bothChildress and Earnhardtwould want.If you could ask Dale himself I'm sure he would be happy to seethe #3on the track again.

Thanks for a great post.

Bumpertag

Bud Shootout? More like Dancing with the Stars!

General

Tommy you summed it up pretty well. Thanks

Bud Shootout? More like Dancing with the Stars!

General

I thought the race was pretty good compared to the "Pack" racing we've seen over the last 10 years or so. I liked the fact that 2 cars could team up and run down the lead group. The closing speed was fun to watch. I admit it wasn't the same as when I was young but it was a good show. The only way to get back to the racing that most of us grew up with is to make the cars more boxy, cut the rear spoiler in half and make mechanicl grip more important. Then we would all love the show!

What can we exspect?

General

As the season approaches and we all find our way to our "Happy Place" to watch the Daytona 500, all the hipe has me on the edge of my seat this year. With all the changes to the track and the cars I can't help but think that the race may not be able to live up to the hipe. The new pavement will have tons of grip and that will increase the possibility of close racing and unevitably a little contact and "The Big One." This could get exciting. But what if? What if the pavement allows for 3 wide racing all day, with no room to pass? What if the grip holds the cars so well that we don't see the big one, or even a single spin? The egines builders are so good at what they do now that mechanical failureisa rarity.

My hopes ride with the possibility that 2 cars drafting will be able to pull away from a pack as we saw in practice a few weeks ago. I have not been a fan of Daytona and Talladega racing for several years due to the packs that block the entire track and limit good hard racing. Maybe this year the super speedways will regain my enthusiasm from years gone by. I want a good race, lots of smaller groups racing and lots of lead changes, but most of all I want a safe race for the drivers, teams and fans. After the last 3 months with no racing, I'll take anything I can get at this point.

Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!

updated by @bumpertag: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM

Whats the point...

General

Being critical wont change anything. The cars are different, the technology is greatly improved and the speeds are at the limit of safety, things have to change. I wish the teams were still runnung 1974 Chargers, Torinos and Chevelles, I wish the cars could run as fast as they are capable of and that mechanical grip was the goal of every team. Those days are gone. No way we can stear the leaders other than by the number of tickets bought.

I don't know the "Untrained" you're speaking of. The leadership of this sport are capable and I think they are doing all they can do. The cars had to made safer and slower and the competition has improved. I find no fault in the leadership in Daytona. I think the complaining all goes back to the fact that todays NASCAR is different from what made us all fans years ago. The sport changes, it always has and will. We can adjust and be fans or stay home.
Johnny Mallonee said:

maybe ive misread some of the words wrote by others but I think no one is bashing our sport but only trying to in some form or fashion steer the leaders of todays racing in a curve that will lead the future of racing higher, not squeeze it for what its worth to them. We have a lot to say thanks to the past leaders and "W H Y" should we stand and let the untrained ruin our sport. Can you answer that!!