Need more proof? How about Ms. Danica nabbing the pole in her first 500? Do you believe that was legit? Want to buy the Brooklyn Bridge? I could probably arrange that for you. How about the return of the number 3 car to Cup racing at Daytona and the young guy gets the pole and the publicity machine went into overdrive promoting that accomplishment. That is not to take anything from the drivers involved; it is simply to prove the manipulation of the press by NASCAR. Heck, Chase himself, quoting now, said "I had very little to do with that lap and the qualifying time". True that. Of course, his statement was intended to compliment his team, but sometimes the truth is hidden best in ambiguous statements. I hope Chase has a tremendous season and an awesome career before him. Especially after NASCAR has used him for the poster boy for the Daytona 500.

Now, let's address the roof flap issue. The number 78 car was disqualified because the roof flap on the right side was adjusted to lift just slightly to benefit the speed. From the reports I've read, it was just the very slightest of lift on that flap. Jeff Gordon, from the booth, explained how that benefited the car in speed. Yet, there is video of Chase qualifying and his right roof flap is slightly off center as well. Where is the penalty? Oh, some say the flaps do that at speed and it is supposedly documented in places, but I've never seen that during a race. I'll be sure to watch for that Thursday.

Now a question for Brian. How is that Daytona Rising working for you? Judging from the views of the stands Saturday night, you may need to change that slogan to "Daytona Falling". Oh, I realize you have the seats colored in such a way as to make even the empty seats to appear occupied. I will resist the temptation to say the only thing emptier than the stands Saturday night is the space between someone's ears. I think you all can read between the lines there.

A brief word about the Charter System. While I totally and completely understand the support of all the team owners, more in their own financial interest than anything else, I will never understand how special consideration could not be granted to the Wood Brothers Team. There was no forewarning from NASCAR that in order to qualify for a "Charter" that the previous three year participation would be required. That was backstabbing the Wood Team in the worst way. When I think back over all my years around racing, it was always the Wood Brothers making a show out of the event, any track on which they raced. What NASCAR has done, and what that RTA has allowed to be done to the Wood Brothers is a disgrace. Sorry, Richard, I can't support your stand on this although I understand your motive. Sort of like 1969 when you betrayed me and switched to Ford!!! Remember our interactions from that year? Remember the I-26 race between you driving that Talladega Torino and me in the Road Runner? Oh, those were the days.

The drivers all support the RTA I'm told. Duh, as my grandsons like to say when the obvious is stated. Does this surprise anyone? Anyone? Just like all the drivers bow and kiss the broad butt of Brian with anything he utters. To do otherwise is to risk your entire career in the sport. As for the press, check out how many "hard cards" have been pulled, or the threat made to do so, if that writer or broadcaster doesn't toe the NASCAR line. Talk to the wife of the television sports guy who was invited to lunch by NASCAR. He was picked up at the station in the back SUV with the dark windows, driven around the block, told his "hard card" was revoked and that he would never be allowed in the press at a NASCAR event. His only transgression was to question Brian's decisions made about five years ago, although I don't remember those decisions. I was told this story by the reporter's wife, face-to-face. She had tears in her eyes as she told the story of the abuse NASCAR put upon her husband.

Ok, Sprint is in its last year of Cup Sponsorship. While I normally do not endorse the television media covering sport, I would say you all need to go to the NBC Sports site and read the statements of Steve Phelps, marketing director for NASCAR. If those statements aren't the most convoluted pile of cow manure ever put in print, then I have no idea what is. What he is trying to say is that NASCAR is courting several potential sponsors, which, of course are not named. There is not one statement in that entire article that states a fact nor offers a solution. I've already suggested Tidy Bowl as a sponsor because the way the sport is being flushed down the toilet, the water should at least be blue.

Another part of all this is that this 'tis the season for politics. While I won't get on any particular candidate, I will say that believing any of them is akin to the foolishness of believing NASCAR's positions. Chase Elliot on the pole for instance. Really? I'm sure a great deal of thought was put into how best to capture the press for a few days and then, somewhere in the confines of a smoke filled room with Brian in charge, it was determined that the best option is to have Chase get the pole and that gave them the opportunity for maximum coverage. By the way, I am withholding my endorsement for president until the right amount is offered for the Legend's endorsement.

Another observation as we start this season. Saturday night was my first opportunity to see Jeff Gordon in the booth. He was AWESOME! He could tell us things about today's cars that D.W. can't even read about. Speaking of D.W., the idiot still screams out that Boogity crap. Why has no one at FOX learned what a disgrace such things are to racing? Oh, wait! These days racing has a lot of disgrace associated with it. Not the least of which includes both of the Waltrips. What little we had to listen to Mikey Saturday night, it was easy to tell he was either very drunk, or he had been hanging out with Brian and smoking. Having Jeff in the booth made D.W. bearable only for the reason that D.W. kept his mouth shut more than ever because he realized Jeff was tearing him apart on every issue. At least we have some hope now that since D.W. is not getting all the attention he requires, he may leave the network and go away completely. One can only hope.

As the new season starts, I remain ambivalent about how I approach it. I am, of course, drawn to the sport because, after all, I've been involved in it for 65 years, never more so than since Jeff allowed me in RacersReunion, although he did once delete my membership. I remember listening to the first Daytona 500 with my Uncle Bobby, sitting around the old pot-bellied stove in the old home place. Listened again in 1960 and 1961. In 1962, and every year thereafter, except 1967 when I watched in on closed circuit in Norfolk, Virginia after the airport was closed due to snow, I was there. That was until 1999 when other things prevented my attendance. I still have watched every 500 live on television. This year, however, my grandson, Michael, has a soccer game at 3:00. I didn't need to give much thought as to where I will be Sunday afternoon. I still can't believe that, but I will be at Michael's game. As for the rest of the season, I’ll probably watch when it is convenient. After all, it's like those stupid commercials by that insurance company owned by that lizard. "I'm a race fan, that's what I do".

Finally, tonight, I want to share this with you. Darren Grigsby and his wife Regina are huge supporters of racing history and very fine people. I'll never forget the first time I met Darren. He walked up to me, shook my hand, and said, "I'm in the presence of The Legend". He and I became fast friends on the spot, not because of that, but because he is one of the finest men, I have ever met. When I first met Regina, I'm sure she was wondering where the guys in the white suits were. Both of them are very good friends and have attended every adventure our RacersReunon group has done for five years. All the Hall of Fame trips and our last trip to the North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame and Memory Lane in Mooresville. I especially appreciate Darren offering grace before our meals when we are all together. He is really truly, what he is, no pretense, and what he is could not be much better.

I bring the Grigsby’s up tonight because Darren shared a story with me this morning I want to pass along. Seems Regina attended a concert in Summerville, SC this past Saturday and stopped off at the Summerville Waffle House early in the morning heading home. Working in the Waffle House was a gentleman named Ron Johnson. Somehow, they got off on the subject of racing and then RacersReunion. Ron says he listens to the show every Tuesday. Regina got into a lengthy conversation and somehow the conversation came to The Legend. Ron asked Regina if she knew The Legend to which she answered in the affirmative. From what Darren told me this morning, there is a Waffle House in Summerville I need to visit in full Legend attire. I have no idea what Regina told him and it is probably better that I do not know. At least I know that my efforts and the efforts of this site to preserve the racing history go further than we realize. Ron, I understand, is related to Wendell Scott. I am so honored to know that he is out there listening tonight. Ron, thank you so much. E-mail me at legendtim83@yahoo.com.

To make it even more special, Ron works for the Police Academy during the week so he deserves our honor and respect. Ron, I swear, my only crime is speeding. I will not even lie unless and until I decide to enter politics. Thank you sir, for supporting us. One day I'll visit you at Waffle House and order up what I always do at a Waffle House. You take care, my friend, and God bless.

Thank you, Darren and Regina, for passing on the story. Regina, one day you need to fill me in on what you said so I can make a reasonable decision whether or not to include you in future RacersReunion trips.