by richard teague tinynascars@yahoo.com
Wanted: Another sponsor (and maybe a driver). First, prayers are needed for many at this start of 2007 with the loss of family, friends and loved ones such as the passing of Bobby Hamilton after his courageous battle with cancer. He fought so hard only to lose in the end. Then NASCAR President Mike Helton’s Mother left for a better life with the Lord and Larry Childress, Richard’s brother, went on to be able to watch so many great races that are surely happening in Heaven. We also need to keep Benny Parsons in our prayers hoping that he will continue his battle with cancer and return to the life he loves.
At the start of every season, I say extra prayers at night and ask for a safe race year for all the drivers and crew members, which I continue throughout the year. Fans enjoy this sport, but some simply like to watch the wrecks. Even with all the things that have been added over the years for the driver’s safety, a simple prayer can mean a whole lot for so many. These people really do risk their lives every time they get on a racetrack or work in a pit, whether it’s changing a tire, jacking a car or putting gas in it, we need to remember them always. For the past thirty-three years there has been the International Race of Champions (or IROC as we all know it), which raced on various kinds of tracks. Not only different types of tracks, but different makes of cars. From a Porsche Carrera in 1974 to a Chevrolet Camaro the year after, until it finally changed to the Dodge Daytona in 1989. The Daytona ran for four seasons and then went to the Dodge Avenger for two more. Then in 1996 the Pontiac Firebird came to IROC and has stayed ever since. The drivers are from all forms of racing, with NASCAR drivers being the predominant winners over the other types of racers. Mark Martin, with five championships, and Dale Earnhardt with 4, are the drivers with the most championships, but the list of winners are just as famous. There was Mark Donohue, the first in 74, and others like brothers Al & Bobby Unser, A.J. Foyt with Bobby, and Cale and Harry on a list of the best of the best.
Now, after the long heritage of IROC has fallen on the ROCKS, so to speak, because it has no sponsor, it won’t start in Daytona before the 500. No Bud or True Value. Crown Royal gave it up at the end of 2006. So what has happened for 2007? Has the cost of motorcar racing gotten too expensive for corporate America? Do the dollars out not earn the dollars in for them? Can a board of directors justify to stock holders the vast amount of money they spend on such avenues of advertising? Now we have Busch going in 2008 and Crown Royal gone for this season of IROC. Who is going to be next?
I read that Home Depot is in need of changing its image because the home improvement giant ain’t what it once was. Does that mean Tony and the Gibbs are going to be in need of a new name for the side of the #20 car? We hear talk all the time about how much it costs to have your company name go around a track at speeds of up to 200 MPH and the only new big-name sponsor to come to NASCAR was Shell Oil Company, but they can afford it, don’t ya think? I wouldn’t mind seeing BP or Amoco coming back to NASCAR. Couldn’t they take Busch’s place next year?
I wonder when the people with IROC found out they needed a sponsor? Was it last year or last week? And has it been that hard to find one? Will they find one in time to have the series run this season? They say they will, or is that just that they hope they will? OK, here’s a couple of suggestions for them, and I love to make suggestions cause nobody ever listens to me except my friends Pete and John. Call the Wal-Mart guys. They could start small with IROC and get ready for bigger things next season. How a bout Corona or Heineken? After all, they’re not as strong as a shot of CR but they still taste funny. I got it, maybe the government would relax the laws on tobacco advertising and Winston or Marlboro could do the honors.
Wait a minute, where is a good hardware store when you need one? Could True Value possibly be willing to come back? And then there’s that ACE up the sleeve, isn’t there? All said and done, it may be that the International Race of Champions just might be the same way, DONE. And that would really be a sad state. I think NASCAR should try and help them keep the series going. It would seem that somehow it could be incorporated with some part of NASCAR, since there are just a few races each year and we, the fans, wouldn’t have to lose out on something as good as IROC. So all you big companies out there, and even those little ones, give it up for some heritage in racing and step up to sponsor the four little races at some of the biggest name tracks on any racing circuit in the world.
“Earnhardt vs Earnhardt,” where in the world is that going? Ms. “T” wants “Jr.” to get his priorities straight and “Jr.” wants Ms. ”T” to come off the hip with some of that money she has been making selling his Daddy’s name. Dale said, “I want to be very involved in the company, but I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do,” and made it very clear that Ms. “T” is a stepmother and not a Mother Teresa. Well, maybe a mother in one way or another. I wonder sometimes if all this is just hype like it seemed a few years back when his contract came up? But hearing and reading everything he’s got to say in the past few days, well perhaps there is a storm coming. I personally feel that Dale Earnhardt Jr. should hang in there and fight tooth and nail with Teresa Earnhardt just to show that he’s his Pappy’s son in every aspect he can.
All y’all get ready because the Big Announcement is coming and it is not about the Earnhardt Saga. It’s all about the changes in the Nextel Chase for the Championship and it looks like it will be pleasing to all and pleasing to none. Look at it like this, if they do add two more drivers to the list at the end and make it a dozen in the Chase, what about when Tony or Jeff finish in 13th position? Does that mean more changes in 2008 or some time near the end of the first 26 races this season? Will they come up with a “Wild Card” spot for a fan favorite? You would think that when NASCAR, or rather Brian France, came up with the original idea he would have factored in some kind of scenarios that could keep everybody happy. Well he didn’t and now I guess every season the Chase will change. Who knows, maybe one day he’ll change it and we’ll be back where we started. A season-long Chase for the Championship!
Well that’s enough for me today and if you got a comment or some advice just do it via tinynascars@yahoo.com and from me too you, If it ain’t NASCAR, It ain’t s**t!
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