Ok, do I have your attention now? I know people who see the word "free" and it really doesn't matter what's "free", they are going to drive 40 miles to get it. That word seems to be big in the advertising industry for sure. But, the "Free" I'm going to talk with you about today is "Free" with a capital "F". This "Free" is Free Pennington, husband, father, race driver and one super fine Christain individual I happened to encounter a few weeks ago in Augusta. From my point of view, Free and I hit it off from the start. Common interest, Christ, kids, and racing.
Yesterday, February 17th, I had the honor of accompanying Jeff Gilder over to Augusta to meet with Free and David Brassell, his business manager,to discuss how best to work together for the benefit of Racers Reunion and Free American Racing, Free's racing team. I was just there as an "observer" I suppose because, as we met at a golf course, I guess they needed me for the foursome!
After a wonderful lunch, we went into the meeting room (I need to clarify that to say we all went in the meeting room but, again, I was in observer capacity only, still making up that foursome). But, come to think of it, Robbie, one of Free's team members was in there too so maybe the foursome idea isn't correct.
I will tell you that the discussions in that room were so far over my head as to the business issues that I won't even begin to offer commentary. As I often tell my good friend Johnny, all I know how to do is talk and write, and Johnny says he's not too sure about the writing but I sure can talk! But, the point of this blog is to have each and every one of you reading it know more about Free Pennington and Free American Racing. To that end, I would refer you to: www.freepennington.com but would ask that you come back and finish reading this blog!
Free Pennington and his team are, as Jeff says, "the real deal". They are quick to let you know of their faith based orientation without being intrusive. They want to race but they want to race for all the reasons with the right support. It goes back to what so many of us talk about here on Racers Reunion often. We want drivers that are real, have personalities and are, for lack of a better description, the way drivers were "back in the day". So many of us remember when drivers were accessible without having to obtain wrist bands to stand in line for hours to have an autograph signed while the driver never looked up at you. Free Pennington is this man, the man we are talking about from "back in the day:"! I have always been impressed by the way The King treats kids, getting down on their level to talk with them and taking special time with them. I have watched Free do the same thing. Yesterday when Jeff and I were in Augusta, he was waiting for an 8 year old to show up and meet him and see the race car. He is just a different breed of individual from most of those filling the seats in the big leagues today.
But, Free is heading for the big league. Even as I am writing this, he is working with Nemco (Joe Nemechek) racing preparing a schedule for NASCAR Camping World Truck races and a couple Nationwide races and an ARCA event or two thrown in. We all know, and we see it every day and every where, that the economy is rough right now and securing the necessary sponsorship for the effort is proving to be a slow road. Admittedly, it would be easier if Free and his team didn't have such strict requirements for sponsors which limits alcohol sponsorship and any sponsor which would infringe upon Free's rights to openly profess the calling of his faith. Just think now! How many guys do you know who would turn down sponsorship sufficient to make the races JUST because the name of a beer would be on the race car? Sort of says something about Free Pennington and his team, don't you think? Sort of says to me that this is the kind of guy/team I want to throw my support behind.,
The bottom line I got out of the meeting yesterday is this: We, all of us as Racers Reunion members, can contribute a small amount ($30.00 to $50.00) and end up with a deal where Racers Reunion is on the race car for a major NASCAR event. That's the way I see it, but the details, I'm sure, will be more forth coming when we see how many want to be a part of this excitement. It's a big project, a huge project for Racers Reunion, but I do remember a story I heard once about how the base of the Statute of Liberty is made from contributed pennies from kids all over the country. Guess I should have verified that but I'll just leave it for now as "a story I heard". Free Pennington,however, is not a story, but a genuine individual who deserves support all the way. Check out his website and you'll see what I mean.
Post your reply to this blog and let us know what you think. I'll be looking to hear from you. Thanks.
Tim
I think it is a great idea. Please count me in. Where and when do I send a contribution?
Free is a breath of freh air to the political racing scene. The fact he is a christian might just help others . I support Free and hope to see him on the track soon.
Devin...we'll set something up on the main page.
Count me in Tim just let me no where to send the money i want to see this gentelman race and have a chance to be sucessful and to see RR on the side of that Racecar
Hey Tim, you know the premiere was the 2nd time I had met Free and I did not get to spend a lot of time with him but I remember how he seemed like a very stand up type of guy. Now after reading your blog I realize I could sense all these things about him in the few moments I have spent with him. You know, I love the idea of donations to him we all have to pull together and help each other. I love someone with enough morals and principles to not take what they can get by any means if it means comprimising their faith and beliefs. We are by no way liquid in our DVD project yet but I am going to do everything I can within the next few months for Ken Moore Productions to be able to make a contribution to him. Men like Free deserve all our support we need more of them representing us! Hope to see you again soon Tim,Vickie
Free is indeed 'The Real Deal'! My family and I will do all we can to support him and God's ministry being done through Free American Racing.
Tim,I am just a small cog in the workings of Free American Racing and Driven Ministries. My job is not a job per say it is a priviledge, to be apart of a ministry that will change lives. The people who are apart of this team are super people, each having different abilities to do great things. We do important things in order for our Lord to be praised greatly. I thank R/R for their tremendous help and look forward to joining hands with all in contact with your great organization.Because of Him,Michael
Hello Free, after reading the blog by Tim Leeming, it reminds me so much of a racing career of 43 years and declining the wrong kinds of sponserships. I, Barbara Scott will take over the pen from Billy at the present time, as speaking about himself is one thing I do much better than he.Even though Billy raced with the very best of drivers, seldom did one see his name in the news. as it should have been.. Even today, when Late Model Sportsman ( as it was know back then) drivers are mentioned, most likely you won't see the name of Billy Scott. As mentioned above, he did race with the very best, Richard Petty, Cale Yarborough, Ralph Earnhardt, Tiger Tom Pistone, Leeroy Yarbrough, Lil Bud Moore, Johnny Allen, Tiny Lund, Buddy Baker, as well as many others but was seldom mentioned in the sports pages. Then along came Jim Hunter, Jim Seay, Randy Laney, Joe Whitlock and other sportswriters who began to talk with Billy and realized he was a little different than many of his competers. He had a christian family and was deeply seeded in his beliefs. No drinking, cursing, or participating in other activities which would cause his three children to have doubts about their Dad's belief and lifestyle. He also began going to the fence prior to a race to speak to and shake hands with the little fans, who were eststic to be so close to a driver. Other drivers later joined Billy making the little guys feel important. It is noticed this proceedure is still intact at the small tracks.Later he moved to tracks in Charlotte and Concord N.C., where the purse was much better. Billy had been racing a long time with Ralph Earnhardt and within the next year Ralph moved closer home. Again Billy and Ralph raced with the very best drivers in this area, such as Stick Elliott, Heywood Plyler, Freddie Smith, Chuck Piazza, Dub Simpson and many others.The reporters, still noticing Billy's racing ability, wrote of his wins and accomplishments often. During this time Billy was asked a couple of times to participate in the World 600 to which he proudly accepted. He won three tack championships (short tracks) in one year while working a ten hour a day job, five days a week. In 1968 he won the spot to start in the Daytona 500 as co-driver with Tiny Lund in a car owned by Lyle Stelter of Columbia, S.C.. He had car problems forcing him from the race. In 1973, Charlotte Motor Speedway in Charlotte N.C. held a contest "Name The Driver" headed by Richard Howard (General Manager) and car to be built by Hutcherson-Pagan, with same pit crew as Darrell Waltrip. The driver, from any track with the most votes, would be named driver of "The Big Chance Special). Billy won the contest with 72,000 votes an second place Charlie Blanton with approimately 35,000 votes. Both men were offered a ride in the World 600. The contest was so sucessful filling the stands with fans, Howard again announed another contest for a lucky driver. Billy won the contest once again and drove a Junior Johnson built car.Since that time Billy has won hundreds of races on the dirt and asphalt short tracks around the southeast. He has been inducted into Carolina Speedway Hall of Fame in Gastonia, N.C. and Cherokee Speedway Hall of Fame in Gaffney. S.C. His greatest honor is upcoming August 12, 13, and 14th, 2010, when he will be inducted into the NATIONAL DIRT LATE MODEL HALL OF FAME in Florence, Ky..Strange all of this converstion came from hearing of your beliefs of Christian living, above any and all success in the racing world. We can all lift up the name of the Lord in any job, sport, and lifestyle we choose, if we really want to.Thanks Free for an example so many look for, but few seldom find. Thanks to you Tim for bringing this to the readers, who for some reason or another, may need to know Free is there, for anything in life which would cause one to search for a true believer. Everything is worth waiting for as long as the King is leading!!God bless you and yours and we love you.Billy and Barbara Scott