by richard teague tinynascars@yahoo.com
Are We There Yet? No this ain’t no movie review about the one Ice Cube did. I liked it but my wife, Ann, thought it was real dumb. This here column is a warm up to the start of my usual NASCAR stuff that y’all have been reading for the past couple of years, and I hope for a few more, even if I don’t have a contract yet. I know, I know I have been talking about this for weeks now and I promise this is the last time you’ll hear about it, well maybe not for another five years if Will will get off his wallet (no pun meant).
It’s kind of like Dale Jr. and Mother Teresa, I think, except I have not and will not bad-mouth my boss and I know for sure he won’t do it to me cause I’m much bigger than he is. Ain’t that right Bubba? So Will, won’t you please take the advice of all my many readers and just sign me up. Why, I have had three offers to come and drive – I mean write – for other medias. One was a big time national daily newspaper, but you and my readers know that my heart belongs here at Entertaining U. Besides, once a week is enough for me at my age.
Alright, that’s it and I will not talk about the subject anymore. So it’s on to NASCAR and by “Are We There Yet?” I mean just that, the first race is only two days away and I am ready with a capital R. To go along with the racing this Thursday is “Media Day” at Daytona. And next week, not only will I have a chance to write about the Bud Shootout, there will be some pictures in the paper of the guys – close-up and personal. I’ll relay some of their thoughts with y’all and share some of the pics that my cameraman, and good friend, John will take at the biggest thing to us since canned beer.
We went last year and acted like a couple of rookies, but this time we got a plan and we’re going to have a good time. We still won’t be able to get no dang autographs since we are with the media. Have no fear about that mates, because a friend of my wife’s and her pal are going to cover the outside like hawks and get them for all four of us. I sure hope it works out and they don’t get run off or anything. And they better not say just who they are with because I don’t even know them if I’m asked. “No sir, officer, take’em away, never seen them before in my life.” Going to media day is like Christmas, Thanksgiving, Valentine’s Day and a whole bunch more days like that, especially when you’re a big a fan of NASCAR. Now Glenda and John are Kasey Kahne fans and I’m not sure who her friend likes, but me, I’m easy. Just as many autographs that they can get will plum please me to death. I would like a Jeff, Jimmy, Tony and Junior signature, please.
You know, I think I have done it again, and not on purpose either; I ain’t hardly talked about NASCAR. I know you are ready to rumble, as that guy Buffer says. Maybe it’s just that I’m still having fun. You know another thing about the starting of a new NASCAR season is that Brian France can start making those regular trips to the bank. Boy I bet he is happy about that. He really don’t need to worry about the off season, since he’s got everything going his way. His Grand Pappy had the name “Big Bill.” His Pop was called “Little Bill” so I think that since they stopped using William, and didn’t use Richard, we can’t use the name Bill or Dick. Why not use “KING?”
So King Brian is ruling the sport now and he’s got all this money. Money to start a new series in other parts of the world, and a new hall of fame for which tons of dollars will be spent. They even got a NASCAR Foundation, which, don’t get me wrong, is a great thing, but don’t you think there just might be something or somebody NASCAR, and a few others like us, are forgetting? I was reminded this week about what could be called “the homeless” (no, not that guy on the corner bumming change) the old time drivers that never made a million bucks for a race, or even 100K for one, and went out and bought a nice home and put money in the bank like King France and his whole family has done over the past fifty years.
So what if these guys didn’t save their money or buy them 401Ks or get a pension plan at work? These drivers put the few bucks they got for racin into other things, like their car, food, shelter, and clothing for a family. They didn’t think about the life after racing, they thought about what they enjoyed and how the fans loved the sport. So hang the end and live for the means. Why can’t NASCAR, and big money sponsors, or even we the fans do more than just buy a few trinkets that some old driver we never saw race is selling on eBay? Can’t there be a way to help them help themselves out of the hard times, which many have fallen on over the years and some are headed for even now?
Come on NASCAR, do something here, will ya? It’s time to stand up for these drivers and their families. It is time for some payback for all they did for us for almost sixty years, don’t you think? Thank You, Melinda, for reminding me. Hopefully me reminding a few people what so many deserve, will perhaps make it one day happen. That’s all y’all, and next week: it’s time.
Just one more thing, If it ain’t NASCAR, It ain’t s**t!
|
