WHAT A DEAL!!!!!! MAN, I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS GOOD DEAL BEING OFFERED
General
I read, in my State Newspaper Sports Section this morning, that Charlotte Motor Speedway (please note the lack of commercialism name promotion here) for the paltry sum of $89.00, you get a ticket to the race and are assured an opportunity to be in the same hospitality tent with your favorite driver IF your favorite driver is one of those 12 or 15 so chosen to participate.This is for the race weekend there on October 16th. WOW!!! I'm late writing this today because I was going through the sofa cushions and the console of my van looking for loose change to come up with the $89.00. Didn't quite make it.
It was then that I recalled a couple of years ago, through some fluke I still don't understand, I, along with Jimmie Collins, and several hundred other folks, were guests of Time Warner Cable at the World 600 in Charlotte. (Again please note the lack of commercial statement). I must sincerely compliment Time Warner for the hospitality they provided for it was first class all the way. Time Warner folks went out of their way to make sure everyone had all they wanted to eat, free gifts, contests, comfortable setting and restroom facilities never experienced by this writer at any race track. Time Warner is to be really applauded for all they did. The ONLY expense I had for the entire trip was the gas to get up to Charlotte.
Time Warner had one of the drivers appear at the tent. I honestly don't remember who but it was one of the Hendrick drivers I believe. The main reason I don't remember is because they brought the guy in by golf cart, he sat at a table in the back corner of the tent for maybe 15 minutes and was then whisked away by that same golf cart with some 200 people still standing in line waiting to see him. I had the same experience at Darlington several years ago being the guest of Ford Motor Credit when Dale Jarrett was driving for them.
To be fair, the drivers don't have that much control over the situation. Their "handlers" keep them on tight schedules and move them around like pawns in a chess game. To be fair to Time Warner, Ford Credit, and tons of others such hospitality providers, it's not really their fault either TO A DEGREE. What these corporate merchants need to understand is that the support of stock car racing started with the interaction of the fans with their favorites. How many times did Richard Petty stay for hours after a race signing autographs, until the last fan was satisfied. Tiger Tom Pistone? Bobby Allison? So many more. And these guys still bring out the "awe" in fans. If you need proof, drop in anywhere Richard Petty appears. Jump in the Chat Line here on Racers Reunion with Tiger Tom is participating. Check out the crowd around Bobby Allison anywhere he is.
I guess I'm partial. No! I fully realize I AM partial. I am a fan of racing when it was not necessarily cool to the prim and proper world to be a fan of stock car racing. My mother would tell me not to talk about stock car racing at church. But I am so proud today to have seen Hudson Hornets race. To have been there for The King's first race. To have watched Tiger Tom tear up the tracks in the 50s and 60s. To have actually been present when Bobby Allison rolled out the unsponsored Chevelle and started his career as an underdog who would end up with sole possession of third place on the all time win list for Cup Victories. Nevermind that the "high ups" in Daytona don't know how to count properly unless it's measuring 1/16 of an inch on a car they do NOT want to win the championship.
On October 17th, a Sunday afternoon, at The Memory Lane Museum in Mooresville, North Carolina, the induction for the second class of honorees in the Racers Reunion Memory Lane Hall of Fame will take place. For $25.00 in advance and $35.00 at the door (if there are any tickets left) the fan will have a chance to experience a one-on-one encounter with some of the finest race drivers to ever climb through a car window. Just check the list here on the site. You can talk with them, you can get your picture made with them, you can get autographs, and, most importantly, you can share some time with the true giants of the sport. How cool is that?
So, as I see it, here's the choice:
1. Spend $89.00 to stand with hundreds of others under a tent with an outside chance you may SEE the driver you choose to see, and with some extreme good fortune actually get to speak with him and with only a devine blessing of someone in power you maybe able to have your picture taken. Oh, and I think you get a plastic beer stein included in that price because it has something to do with Octoberfest, or maybe it's Octoberfleece.
2. Spend $25.00 in advance to participate in the Racers Reunion Memory Lane Hall of Fame induction ceremony. For that $25.00 you can see displays of historic racing artifacts that you MUST see to believe. It is not possible, with my limited computer skills, to list all those artifacts here. In addition, you can experience some real quality time with some of the all time greats of the sport of stock car racing. (There is also a likelihood that some of today's stars will be in attendance as they have the day off).
For a true fan, option two is the only choice. But, if you happen to attend the event in Charlotte Saturday night, the Hall of Fame ceremony doesn't start until 2:00 p.m., so you can sleep in and still make it. But, be forewarned, you really need to get the advance tickets because seating is limited.
I am THE LEGEND and I approve this message.
updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM