Their are heroes born of the blood
clad in camouflage or suited in blue
packing guns, a ladder /hose
or just a consistency of compassion.
These are my constant heroes.
But on Raceday a new hero emerges.
Heroes that ride 700 wild horses
with speed at their feet,
bravery within every engine beat,
in brightly painted,
stickered steel machines,
jostling each other
for the same golden victory dream
beneath a checkered flag.
Fire-suited wrangler heroes
branded "Invincible."
Poised, polished, prideful professionals.
Articulate,
strutting confidently and cordially.
These valiant vikings
are obscured from villianous drug convictions,
criminal activity,
and sex scandals.
Just an occasional speeding ticket (right Kyle?!!).
They mingle with fans,
support benevolent causes,
and are true patriots.
But at the mercy of the asphalt
man and machine merge,
careening through 400, 500 miles
at 190 or 230 miles per hour
in record time.
Refs or Umps are not welcomed
on the definitive path to glory.
They finish where they finish
(barring penalties!)
cut and dry.
This is not a game.
This is action,
strength,
and stamina,
where drivers man-up
and pedal down,
taming wild grumbling beasts
while herding them around the ovals
or city streets
hungry for the win.
And usually a date or two with destiny occurs,
as twisted metal,
sliced rubber,
and scattered parts
decorate the sky
as cars tumble and crumble.
And normally survival is alive
and fans are treated to fancy fury.
But once in a blue moon
a hero is beckoned to God's gate
and blessed to pilot phantom cars in Heaven
cheering silently for those who race
in their image and name.
Racing is alive and well
and fire-suited heroes can ring my bell!
Drafting,
lapping,
the Daytona tango-two-step,
and IndyCar spin-it, win-it, pirouette ballet.
Racing is a precisioned dance,
a hip-hop, flip-flop,
techno, retro,disco,
jitter-bug trance,
set in position,
no second chance,
gliding with grace,
falling from haste,
picking up speed
and a chase for the lead.
Racing is a religion.
Got guts! Got God! Got glory!
A neutral,
non-partisan,
equal opportunity profession
that sports fire-suited heroes
confined in stickered steel machines.
