Hello all, this is my first blog! And after a long debate on what to write about, it's finally come to me.....
For many of you "old school" fans, 2010 wasn't much of a show except for the occasional win by an underdog or something happened here in racers reunion. For many of the new fans in part of this new generation, they mostly enjoyed it, probably because they never followed the "grass roots/real days of racing"They might suggest that Dale Earnhardt and Harry Gant were the pioneers of this great sport that we love. I have nothing against that, because I do believe that both Harry and Dale were great drivers...just not pioneers. Because of DW and guys like Brian France, many of the current "Average Joe" fan do not know much of the sports true history. This is very unfortunate indeed. If the average fan walked up to some of the sports legends and pioneers like Rex White, Buddy Baker, David Pearson, etc. I know for a fact that 90% of the new generation wouldn't know who they are.
Now you may ask why a boy of my age would be talking about the new generation when I am a part of this generation? I write this simply because I believe in it! Sure most of us here at RacersReunion.com wish for things to change in racing...Nascar mostly. Brian Z. France says he listens to the fans...but does he? No, he listens to the sponsors, the ones with the slightly large pocket books. Most fans probably think that he and DW are gods and they must believe that they speak the truth every time they open their mouths. Well, if you believe that, then I'd like to show you some Colorado beach property I have for sale. And Nascar thinks that they are the greatest sport in the world because the make the "best" changes in the world by moving their series' to mostly the mid-west, where a large percentage of their main sponsors located their headquarters. This sport was built around the south...Georgia, Florida, the Carolinas, Alabama, Tennessee, Virginia, Kentucky, etc, etc. And back then almost every racer with the exception of the Foyt's and Fred Lorenzon, were all born and raised in the south. I read recently that only two full time drivers in the Sprint Cup Series from North Carolina, Dale Jr. and Brian Vickers. Almost every racer on the circuit today are either from California, Vegas, or somewhere in the Mid-West.
By now, I hope you read my title "What 2011 May Bring" and although I haven't said anything about 2011 yet, listen up! In 2011, Most of the "past generation" will watch at least 90% of the races on TV. Some will watch about 5-10, some will catch it on the highlight show (speed has so many now, you couldn't possibly not hear who won the race) and there's some who won't even turn on the television or radio to watch or hear the race. I know that Nascar will have some new things planned for 2011 (not much) At the most recent press conference, they basically restated what they had last year by hiringteleprompterto "re-use" the words from last year's conference. I don't expect much. Unless it's the Daytona 500, I won't be rushing home from the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame in Dawsonville Ga where I volunteer on weekends to watch the race. Sure, we usually have the big screen on for visitors to enjoy the race on Sundays. I will watch a few laps, then check in every 30 minutes - an hour. I'm not glued to the screen. I'd much rather be giving tours to people who really care about the sport. I don't as much "re-live" memories in the museum because I wasn't there! lol. I mostly just day-dream about the history and it's past and how life used to be, not just in Nascar either.
Alright. what I'm getting at is that I won't be glued to the screen all 500 laps of every race on the season. Yes, I do enjoy Nascar, but not as much as my local tracks. That's the best!
If you can get the chance, go visit your local racetrack this year!
-Cody
Cody! What an awesome blog. Please, please do not wait a long time for your second one.Your thoughts and opinions are well expressed and, as you know, I will fall in line in agreement with you. You have a great insight for your age, and, in fact, for someone four times your age.One thing that I enjoy doing in my small role with Racers Reunion is trying to connect with the young people to ensure they know of the history of the sport. In my opinion what we have now is Hollywood perfected show business and the crews, drivers, and officials are all "scripted" actors. Seems even the fans that are chosen for interviews even go through make-up and rehersals before the camera rolls.I blast D. W. at every opportunity as everyone knows but I must say he is one of the finest actors NASCAR has produced. To be presented each week as someone with knowledgeable input is a spin job worthy of The White House Press corps. Again, all a part of a scripted presentation to entice folks to be a part of the glitz.Cody, you are a rare find in the world of today, but for this site and for any who comes to the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame, you are a wonderful blessing. You didn't experience all Johnny Mallonee, Tommie Clinard and so many others experienced but those guys share their memories and it becomes a part of you. That is a great gift you have. Thank you for sharing it with all of us.As for what 2011 will bring for NASCAR, I wish it would be a return to its roots, or, at the very least, an acknowledgement of those roots. I have witnessed, first hand, David Pearson walkng through the infield at Charlotte Motor Speedway a few years ago totally unrecognized or acknowledged by hundreds of fans. The second winningest driver in Cup History. I have seen Buck Baker unrecognized at Darlington. Three time winner of The Southern 500 and the ABC television rep there didn't even know who he was. There are other examples but space won't let me share those here.
Thank You Tim. Your kind words sure do mean alot!!I volunteer almost every weekend Saturday and Sunday. And usually through out the week when I'm on Summer Vacation.Thanks Again-Cody
Way to go, Cody! Now that you have the first out of the way...I hope we see many more. Thanks very much for your contribution to RacersReunion. Getting youth interested in our racing heritage is key to its survival. You are a shining example for the youth who might follow your lead.
Cody..great write! You are an inspiration to anyone who reads these pages! And I do because I do. I also daydream about the ones who mattered, and still do in our hearts. They mattered because it was their era in which a gentleman ruled the oval, they earned their respect that captured and held our hearts to present. And will continue because yes they were the grassroots and foundation of true racing. I am a fan of dirt-track vintage stockcars..nothing better than kicking up some dirt and the roar of those great rides! Harry Gant was a favorite of mine as well as Dale Earnhardt...a few others also. My dad made sure I paid attention to important things and racing was his passion. And I learned early on my dad was a very wise man because by paying attention it got my brother and I a ride on that dirt oval every time we went to the races, which was alot because my dad had one of those great cars in the sixties in NYS. After each and every race his driver would put us in the back, up front till we got too big for Earnies knee, and give us a spin around. This gave me an up close and personal look at what was really going on, other than the excitement of the fans in the stands. I learned how gentlemen listened to one another and helped one another, handshakes were honored. I have yet to be on southern red dirt but from what I hear there is nothing that comes close to digging in and finding your groove than that smooth dirt. Now I believe this is why all our noteable best legends come from the south. Money will always be a great factor, it seems the less there is you find more determination, hence the passion to succeed is deep. I have a friend in N.C. with a 36 Chevy coupe with this determination and old school values he learned from his dad whom also had a stockcar. This is where I hear about the great southern dirt and all it has to offer, not to mention the great folks in the infield! So Cody keep daydreaming and keeping the telly at bay cause you are righ
Cody, thanks for your welcoming to the site. I hope you can keep me connected to happenings in Dawsonville. Oh yea thanks for taking pictures of the "Bullie Party" with my new friends. I wish I new you were a Dinsmore. My father had us related to the Dinsmore,s in Dawson. My father John Seay was born in 1913 in Dawson county. His second cousin was Lloyd Seay. We will talk again about our connection. Back to what this site is about. My dads family moved to Polk co and then to Knoxville. He told me he ran moonshine from Dawson to Knoxville via 411(Dixie Lee Junction) to Knoxville and then take the rest to Nashville by route of Kentucky. So Dawsonvilles importance to the southeast and beyond points out that hwy 9 was larger than the map shows. But the "Boys of Dawsonville" ruled the "Tripper Days". What NASCAR needs is some old names to let the racing fans know the rich history of why they became fans in the first place. NASCAR, the name to start with is Raymond Parks. Cody keep up the awesome work and 4days in Dawsonville has lit a fire in my soul. Keep in touch and Gordon has my number. SEAYA soon