As I confessed in my blog site, http://timspeak.com, NASCAR has lost me after 65 years. The only event I watched from Daytona was the second Can-Am 150 Thursday night. It was a parade, nothing more, until the guys started crashing at the end. Not impressive at all and only reinforced by previous decision not to watch the Daytona 500 on Sunday. As I have stated elsewhere, I listened to the first three 500s on the radio. Attended the 500 every year from 1962 through 1999 with the exception of the 1967 race when the U.S. Navy required my presence. After 1999, I watched every Daytona event on television. Last couple of years, I was beginning to be of the opinion that a root canal without the laughing gas would be more fun and entertaining than that race.
I know, in my heart, that there has never been a fan with MORE passion for the sport than I. I know there are many with equal passion and I get to hang around many of those folks now, thanks for being a member of RacersReunion. I have actually done things, since 2008 when I joined the site, which I never dared to dream I could or would do. Oh, I have been accused of being a very egotistical individual for being proud of being "The Legend". The moniker was hung on me by a computer who determined I was intense about the sport. When it all started, it was to benefit the website with an icon presence out in public to attract attention. I must admit I seem to attract attention because I'm a loud, outspoken individual with a passion for the true history of the sport and for seeing that the pioneers and heroes of my younger days are recognized for their contributions. Long story how all that started with me, but I have shared those stories before. If you haven't heard them and want to know, e-mail me at legendtim83@yahoo.com. I do answer EVERY e-mail, although sometimes it may take a day or two.
So, let’s examine the passion of today's fan. I am often on Facebook because I get to interact, in real-time, with other fans and many young local track drivers from all over the country and Canada. The fan of today, no matter the age, has a true passion for the sport, just as I had once upon a time. Please note the key words are "fans of today". Whether recently discovering the sport or a seasoned veteran who can still enjoy it in spite of what is going on today, the passion is there, often times off the scale passion.
Example: I made a comment on a FB post as to whether or not Martin Truex would have moved Hamlin on that last few hundred yards if Truex were still driving a Chevy instead of a JGR Toyota. Although he is not officially a JGR team member, Martin made it very clear he was a teammate to the other four drivers in that tribe. Another FB individual, with whom I am not friends because I had never encountered him on the site, responded "Obviously you don't know Martin Truex". My response was that I didn't personally know Martin but that I respected him and I believe him to be a good driver and very dedicated to the sport. About an hour after that exchange, one of my friends sent me a video clip where Martin admitted he had considered it (moving Denny) but didn't do it. He went on to say, in retrospect, live and learn, giving every indication if he could do it over, the number 11 would be scraping the wall enough to slow him down so Martin could win. I didn't even bother to bring that fact to the gentleman's attention because it was obvious from him passion for Truex (which I admire by the way), that he cannot be moved.
Another comment I unleashed on FB was the question as to why Kenseth was so easily accepting of Hamlin moving him out-of-the-way to win the race. The only real differences I saw in that and the incident with Logano from last year are the fact that Denny was on the same team. Kenseth didn't slide but just a little this time; that NASCAR now has strict fines for any negative comments towards other competitors, the on-track product, the sanctioning body and/or the condition of track restrooms. So much for "boys have at it".
Within minutes of my post on that, I was receiving private messages from individuals who chose not to project their vulgarity publicly. I have made no bones about the fact I strongly dislike the presence of Toyota in the sport and I have absolute NO use for the JGR operation. Passion surely figured in those responses. Many of the public responses were in complete and absolute agreement. Those who chose to attack me privately, with words not often heard (or read) in better social circles invented names for me I had not heard before. I’m considering a "re-name" from The Legend, but nothing presented could actually be displayed on a shirt without causing concern for the kids I so much enjoy. Nevertheless, those private comments were made with the passion of the fans and I can appreciate that.
It seems to escape some folks that I am very opinionated. I am also more than ready to express my point of view on any subject at any time. It is always said that one should not discuss politics and religion and believe me; Ann enforces that when she's with me. I would almost concede that we need to add racing to the list of what cannot be discussed in public, but I refuse to do that. While I'm sure many of my opinions will never be accepted by some, just as I will not accept theirs, we all still need to be able to express them. So what if we don't agree? That is your passion to pursue and I'm proud of you.
My passion for the sport these days is to ensure that the heroes of the past are honored and acknowledged for what they did to make the sport. Also, to preserve and present the true history of the sport to fans, especially the younger fans who are clueless about the past and the heroes with whom I get to hang out these days. My passion may be re-directed these days, but my passion is for what I saw as the sport grew. Even Richard Petty says that it's "not racing today, it's a show". I'll go a little further to say it was once a great sport, now it is a joke.
All you folks maintain your passion. The sport needs it. I am told that the "sport" will survive, yet the television ratings for the 500 Sunday were dismal. Daytona claimed a "sell out" but I'm told by friends who were there that there were several large sections of stands with empty seats. I didn’t watch, I wasn't there, so I have no idea. Trusting a NASCAR "official" statement would indicate a total lack of reasonable intelligence. I could almost guess your choice for President if you buy that. (See how I threw in that political bombshell?) I cannot allow Ann to read this one. I do know that after Daytona removed thousands of seats, what was really left to sell out?
One last thing here, in order to throw religion into it since Ann won't read this, I guess the only prayers coming from Coach Joe's lips at the end of the race were "please don't let Matt take Denny out at Martinsville". That would be difficult to explain to the Toyota brass over there in Japan.
How about that? Politics, religion, and racing all in one Legendtorial. Really, folks, you should have a passion for each. God bless, and we'll see you next week.
