Jim Utter, motorsports writer for The Charlotte Observer, a newspaper also owned by the McClatchy News Group, had a short piece in The State Newspaper sports this morning, no small feat as the Gamecock v. 'Bama news filled the rest of the paper. Jim was pointing out that the races in the Chase thus far this year are averaging an television audience MORE THAN 25% down from last year for EACH RACE. Jim offers different reasons such as ESPN carrying the Chase races this year instead of ABC like last year. He also points out, correctly, that some "experts" say it's competing with the NFL, and goes on to say it has been that way for 60 years. Jim is, for the most part, spot on with his observations each week, although I do disagree with him on several points on previous articles. The point is, he makes a living writing about NASCAR and does a great job, whether or not I always agree with what he writes. I've learned, with absolute certainity, that people have differences of opinion about many, many things. If that were not so, would it even be possible for D.W. to appear on television, even in Digger Commercials?

The point is I was in Rockingham yesterday and saw two of the best stock car races I've seen in a long, long time. I met several of the drivers in both series and remain very impressed with the ARCA drivers, organization, and overall competition. I attended the ARCA race at The Rock last October and that race topped anything I had seen in NASCAR in 20 years. Yesterday's race was just as competitive and very exciting. For sure, the stands weren't full, but have they been at any NASCAR Cup race this year? As to how many may have watched on SPEED, I don't know, and I'm sure we won't know those ratings. But this I do know: I would travel to Daytona to see ARCA race. I would travel to Talladega to see ARCA race. I will ALWAYS try to be at The Rock when ARCA runs. It is just flatout better racing than NASCAR is giving us these days.

Something else that impressed me yesterday was being in the garage and pits before the race talking with these ARCA drivers. Reminded me so much of the 60s when the Grand National Drivers of NASCAR would come to the local track and you could actually talk with them. Some very impressive young drivers are coming up through the ARCA ranks. I hope they don't lose that when they achieve the ultimate goal they are seeking.

One driver I had especially wanted to talk with was young Timmy Hill, who is a friend on Facebook. He walked by while I was talking to Donnie Allison (remember him?) and when I finished talking with Donnie, Timmy was gone. But he had business to take care of, that was before the race. When I got home last night, I sent Timmy a message on Facebook just to let him know I had hoped to meeting him. SURPRISE!!

Within 15 minutes I had a message back from Timmy apologizing to me. APOLOGIZING TO ME. Make a note of that. Timmy is a fine young driver and a fine young man. He apologized to me for something he had nothing to do with. He finished 18th in the race and I'm sure he's got a great future. He definitely has an avid fan here.

So, what will NASCAR do about ratings? Far beyond me to guess at that one. There may be a possibility of some ratings rise if they allowed Brian Z. France to dance with Mike Helton on Dancing with the NASCAR stars. Get a mental picture of that would you? Depending upon your personality you will either laugh until your ribs hurt or begin puking until you pass out. Yeah, I know that's graphic, and that's mean, but think of this: Today is the race in California. Is there a more boring track with more boring races than California Speedway, or whatever it's called? I don't even care enough to know what they call that glitzy place built to entice the Southern California celebrities to come out and attact the folk from the beaches, bars, and brothels of Southern California. I don't care Brian! If I don't, then you know you have rating problems.

Just think of this. Yesterday I stood with Donnie Allison, talking, just the two of us! Thirty years ago, that would have been impossible. Donnie was one of the winning Cup drivers, a star, and to me he still is. Unfortunately, those in power in Daytona Beach have forgotten if had not been for the competitive spirit of Donnie Allison in that 1979 Daytona 500, the growth spurt for the sport might not yet have come. Yeah, I know, I spend a lot of time in the past with my racing memories, but then it was better then, I think. I do know, with drivers like those in ARCA, especially young drivers like Timmy Hill, my ears will still crave the sound of racing engines. Thanks, Timmy, thanks Donnie, and thank you ARCA for continuing to provide racing worth watching.

Oh, and one more "thank you". Thank you Andy for bringing back The Rock.

Tim