Hello everybody, as you know, Labor day weekend is fast approaching. Oh, the holidays, family, warm weather, cookouts, a time to pay respects to the people who gave so much to make this country great. With that said... it's time to pull this NASCAR-shaped thorn out of my side. The Southern 500, a NASCAR "tradition" or so all the marketing wizards of the sport would repeatedly remind us of for years before the aforementioned sanctioning body unceremoniously booted their "tradition" in favor of a dollar. They tried to rationalize this move by saying that the growth of the sport made this move inevitable, that california was a much, much bigger market and that the labor day race date would benefit the sport exponentially to all involved by being in California. Now, I wouldn't want to offend any fans or fine people who may live in the Golden State, but NASCAR saw dollar signs in lieu of alienating a large(excuse me, the MAIN)portion of the fans. It seemed as if the big wheels said, " hey, we really don't care what you(fans) think of this move, and if we lose your support here, we got tons of support out west, we don't need you or your washed up old track, BYE!!" I do acknowledge that w/ growth comes (some)change, but this one, to me, was doomed to fail. Cali folk had(have) DIFFERENT Labor Day traditions, that more than likely didn't include stock car racing, or it's watered-down racing @ California Speedway, the track simply was not conducive to close quarter racing enjoyed by shorter tracks, and way too big(2miles) w/ too little banking to let it ALL hang out. If I ever hear the terms "aero-tight" or "aero-loose" again, I will surely puke. NASCAR sacrificed its biggest, and longest tradition, to treat west coast fans to a fabuliuos, stupendious, rousing game of follow-the leader, in which a photo-finish would be needed if cars were closer than 5 sec. apart. To this day, the author refuses to watch any race @ California Speedway. If it sounds like I am bitter, well... I guess I got my bitter cap on today. because even after realizing their move had failed miserably, they STILL haven't set it straight yet. While I am glad to see the labor day event back in its home region. It is still not HOME!! where it should be. Darlington, the Lady in Black did not like being shuffled to an after-thought, she has stormed back with a vengeance and hotter than ever!! She deserves to return to her rightful place and time as one of the crown jewels of stock car racing. It is her birthright after all. That's where she belongs. The Southern 500, Labor day weekend, Darlington, S.C.