18,359 Complaints to FCC From NASCAR Fans Over Language and Commercials on Race Telecasts

Current NASCAR

From F-Bombs to GoDaddy commercials (everybody hates them), from dysfunction ads to all the other things that irritate NASCAR fans, the Federal Communications Commission has received 18,359 complaints from NASCAR viewers regarding telecast content over the past three years.

I guess this year they'll have to start a pile for too many Waltrips in the booth!

Here's a link to the story:

http://jalopnik.com/boners-f-bombs-and-godaddy-inside-nascars-18-359-fc-1198992552

updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:04:08PM

Racing History Minute - Darlington continued

Stock Car Racing History

That had to be a real thrill to unexpectedly see Darlington for the first time. Awesome memory.

Racing History Minute - Darlington continued

Stock Car Racing History

A nice memory, Devin.

Racing History Minute - Darlington continued

Stock Car Racing History

In it's coverage of the 1972 Southern 500 Parade, the Charleston News & Courier didn't mention Elly May / Donna Douglas until the story's 8th paragraph. I'm guessing Leverne of the Charleston paper was a gal.

Racing History Minute - Darlington continued

Stock Car Racing History

Devin... this is the EXACT postcard I bought driving from Richmond to Carolina Beach in 1958! I guess that is actually a dog... my memory really wanted it to be a goat.

Racing History Minute - Darlington continued

Stock Car Racing History

Thank you for providing the reference, Robert.

Racing History Minute - Darlington continued

Stock Car Racing History

Tim's memory of his family's cooler really struck a chord.

Racing History Minute - Darlington continued

Stock Car Racing History

Thanks, Robert. can you post a pic of her in the pace car?

Racing History Minute - Darlington continued

Stock Car Racing History

Chase, according to numerous South Carolina newspapers all carrying the same news release in late August 1972, it was the Southern 500 of that year that Donna Douglas was to appear at. I was at that Southern 500 with 5 other Wrangler employees and I don't remember seeing Elly May.

Perhaps you can check the Bobby Allison victory lane photos from the 1972 Southern 500 and see who's kissing winner Bobby Allison.

Release as run in the Spartanburg paper on August 23, 1972:

Racing History Minute - Darlington continued

Stock Car Racing History

In 1958, my father's employer, Liggett & Myers Tobacco Company, sent the star of one of the television shows it sponsored to Darlington. To this day, most agree that James Arness of Gunsmoke was the most popular Grand Marshal / Southern 500 Parade participant in Darlington history. A month later in October, Liggett & Myers brought Arness to Richmond where I saw him as Grand Marshal of the Grand Illuminated Tobacco Festival Parade. Dad got his autograph for me when he toured his Richmond operation making Chesterfield and L&M cigarettes.

In 1965, Liggett & Myers went to the well for Darlington once again, sending the popular Doc and Festus tandem from the same Gunsmoke show they sponsored to the Southern 500 as seen in the NASCAR Newsletter. The Charleston News & Courier covered the visit by Arness.

Arness went from Darlington to Richmond in October 1958 for the Tobacco Festival Parade as seen in the Richmond Times-Dispatch:

Tobacco Festival with James Arness

In October 1958, National Tobacco Festival parade grand marshal James Arness (Matt Dillon from TVs Gunsmoke) gave a kiss to that years Tobacco Queen, Judy Ann Austin. The festival ran in Richmond from 1949 to 1984 and was a top event in the city during its run. A predecessor festival was held in South Boston before World War II.

Dad's company, Liggett & Myers Tobacco Co., then sent Doc and Festus to Darlington in 1965: