What a beautifully expressed token of graditude to someone who truly deserves it. I was so pleased to see Bud go into the NASCAR HOF and he still impresses me with his humble sincerity with everything he does. Takes a special guy to write something like this Richard. Thanks.
Tim
That is a very interesting observation, Dave. However, being mathimatically challenged, I'll have to really think about that one. For sure it made the tracks shorter by that measurement, but wouldn't the lines taken by the cars be much the same at most tracks? Wow, now you have fried my inadequate brain for the next couple days.
Tim
Dave, that post about Childress replacing Harvick with the cop is one of the greatest posts ever.
Wish I had thought of that!!!!! I know where the brain talent is now for sure!.
THIS JUST IN: It has been disclosed by law enforcement this morning that approximately 60 seconds before encountering the radar, Kyle Busch was texting Mike Helton for a definition ofprobation. No word on whether or not Mike responded. Also learned that the officer who stopped Kyle had watched the Darlington Southern 500 and carefully parked BEHIND Kyle to prevent another Kevin Harvick pushing incident. I also understand Kyle asked the officer as he walked up the car "do you know who I am?". The officer replied "you're the one who I'm giving this ticket to". Realizing he was going to lose that argument, Kyle asked if he could increase the charge to 198 in a 45 since the Lexus was supposed to top at 200 and Kyle didn't want the folks in Tokoyo to think he wasn't giving it his all.
NASCAR, Toyota and M&Ms should take heed. All their logos are prominently displayed here. Blow that up, put it on a billboard on I-85, and it's sure to cause a stir. Maybe even cause some to think behind the wheel. It certainly does not reflect well on NASCAR, Toyota, or M&Ms. But, by the time D.W. finishes with it this weekend, Kyle will be walking across Lake Lloyd carrying a full pardon from the North Carolina Govenor.
June 21, 1960, Uncle Bobby and I were parked up next to the fence in turn four at the newly opened Charlotte Motor Speedway. I do remember it was hot that day, I remember the cars all looked somewhat like chicken coops on wheels with all the wire over the windshields and grills. I remember all the drivers were hot, tired, sweaty, and very, very dirty. I remember the asphalt chunks flying through the air.
Fast forward, what, 51 years later? This weekend I will have my three grandsons, 14, 12, and 7, sitting in the stands DIRECTLY ACROSS THE TRACK from the spot where Uncle Bobby and I watched that first 600. Sort of special for me to think about that. You can bet you will hear more about this when I get home! This will be the boys first trip to a race although they have been seeing them on TV since they were tiny babies. I sometimes joke that the first words they learned after Mom and Dad, were "Richard Petty".
Seems full circle now. I'm introducing three of the "new generation" to the sport I love. Whether or not they will ever have the intense love for it I do is questionable as their interests are already wide and varied and all three excell in everything they do from Karate to Soccer and everything in between. But whatever they get out of the trip, I got the three tightest hugs I've ever had when I went to visit them yesterday and talk about the race. Can't wait! Look out Charlotte! The Legend and his three GRAND Legends are coming your way!
Tim
Robert, Robert, Robert!!! Whilepolitical correctness is NOT required here, "vertically challenged" is much more appropriate than "midget". There were quite a number of short guys who ran NASCAR. Look at some of the guys now, how small they are!!!
Tim
Dave, I posted that same observation about 7:00 a.m. this morning as it occurred to me as well. Race fans, these days, are apparently easy to fool and easily deprived of their money. Thanks for my son-in-law receiving four tickets to the 600, I will be taking my three grandson to their very first race. I am excited, very excited, but it is because I get to spend some time with those three and show them what Pop has been talking about all these years. The problem is, they won't see racing as I know it, and even with the free tickets I expect to be pay for other things like parking, and food and all. But it will be ok. It's a one time deal. It's me and my three biggest fans getting some time together and I can't wait. Hope someone asks the seven year old what the racers call his Pop. Someone did that last year at Columbia Speedway and Micheal beamed when he said "The Legend". Any grand dad has to love that.
So, look for us in turn four. We'll be there. What my grandsons will see is a Hollywood production of commercialism at its best. I need for them to hear the loud boos surely to be delivered to young Busch and then I can explain the the reasons you don't speed. Andrew will be getting his learners permit in three months.
Tim
I read the Kenny Bruce article and Lou says the same things I feel almost daily but no one cares to quote me on that. I'm very pleased someone like Lou will say those things and make a point of saying "you can print that". I am certain he will not make the NASCAR Hall of Fame and I would be surprised if NASCAR doesn't send someone in one of those black Suburbans with the tinted windows to take Mr. LaRosa to lunch like I was told the sports reporter encountered a couple years ago for saying things "detrimental to the sport of stock car racing". I am sure I encountered Mr. LaRosa from time to time as it was during those years I was in the pits most of the time with the press, but I do not recall every talking with him. I will look forward to Tuesday night because hearing from him is going to be a real treat.
Oh, and as for "actions determental to the sport of stock car racing" wouldn't you think someone who seeks to be a hero to young folks and even kids with the M&Ms car would set a better example than 128 in a 45? Isn't that "deterimental to the sport of stock car racing"? It's in the rule book. One of those rules to cover anything not approved by the sanctioning body. What am I missing here? Oh, and Lou, could you bring some of the M&M pretzels things Tuesday?
Tim
It has occurred to me that we can anticipate one of the most eloquent speechs ever made in American history, including The Gettysburg Address, JFK's inaugral speech, Patrick Henry's "Give me liberty or give me death".What possibly could be more eloquent than these expressions of American Eloquence? D.W.'s explanation of Kyle Busch's actions this week. I was called by D.W.'s people to write the speech for D.W. but as I have great difficulty incorporating "hisself" in my writing I declined. Should be a good one and I'm sure we'll hear it every single time the camera is on ole D.W. this weekend.
Tim
