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New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd wrote in her column this Wednesday that Paul Newman once stated that in politics, as in auto racing, “You can do anything if you are prepared to deal with the consequences.” When I read this the first name that came to my mind was Dale Earnhardt.
With a nickname like the Intimidator, he had no choice but to deal with the consequences of his actions. We can all remember instances when Dale took heat for his maneuvers on the track and then handled the criticism with a quip about having big shoulders or thick skin. He wasn’t much for whining in front of the cameras and his willingness to face the music is what made him one of the most popular and endearing athletes in the history of the sport. I’d like to see a little more of these characteristics in some of today’s drivers.
I almost met Dale Earnhardt once. Well, actually, I almost met the hood of his car once. I was walking around the garage area at a track, minding my own business, when Dale came ripping around a corner in the No. 3 car and almost took off my toes.
…
I’m sure you’ve read the recent news that Kansas Speedway has received approval to build a Hard Rock Hotel & Casino at the property. What will be next, cocktail waitresses in the grandstands? Actually, this may be a good way to fill all those empty seats we’ve seen at the races lately.
The casino project paves the way for a second Sprint Cup date at the facility. Obviously the decision to add a second race would have more to do with the bottom line than the start/finish line. I’m probably naive to hope that NASCAR would respect the fans’ intelligence enough to be honest about this plan instead of trying to pass it off as part of its continuing effort to bring more racing to fans outside of the Southeast.
Which track do you think should lose a race to Kansas?
These days whining and finger pointing has become the norm with many drivers and even more fans. I am always mystified by the concept of the 'polite driver' -- what is that? What should we do, put horns and turn signals on race cars. "Excuse me, I'm going to try and pass you now. Why? Because you are ahead of me, and the concept is, I think, to get to the end of the race before you do." Now and then there are going to be what turn out to be stupid moves, but isn't that 'just racing.' They have all done it, yes, all, at one time or another.
Mike as a hood ornament, hmmmm! Naaaa!
If I have this right, Kansas is an ISC track. Their (read France) tracks that have two races are Daytona, Talladega, Richmond, Phoenix, Martinsville, Michigan and Fontana. OK, my vote would be either Michigan or Fontana. They are both boring, but then so is Kansas, with the exception of the last few laps, but most all tracks offer that. Any race date that is moved should be to Las Vegas ($$$$$$$$), but that is Bruton's track. Oh the hell with it, I just don't think Kansas should get a second race, period!
You're right. NASCAR is in danger of becoming a gentlemen's sport. The last thing I want to see is racing with the atmosphere of golf.
Nascar is for redneck hillbillies. Driving a car ain't a sport.
And what is 'a sport' to you, Lenny_V? Be brave!
In the eyes of Congress, Na$car is viewed as entertainment.
According to Jayski, the revised 'bailout bill' before Congress "...that lets motor-sports facilities be treated the same as amusement parks and other entertainment complexes for tax purposes. That allowed them to write off their capital investments over a seven-year period."
Of course, we know that its much more than that.
Although a case can be made that Na$car started as a redneck sport, it graduated from that level decades ago. I don't think there's much danger of it becoming a 'gentlemen's sport', although Na$car would like every citizen of the world to become fans...
I'm not a fan of NASCAR, but I do enjoy the games and movies.
That said, driving is a sport. It takes lightning reflexes, a keen eye, steady hands, and the patience of a chopping block (did I mention a bladder of a camel). All of those things combined with the threat of grave physical injury make NASCAR a sport.
Besides the IOC made curling a sport, and ESPN has dignified billiards and poker as sports. The last two can basically be played sitting down without breaking a sweat, so yeah NASCAR's a sport. Get over it.
Two more for 'sport!' We probably all know the quote that is attributed to Hemingway, but probably wasn't his. Paraphrased it is something like this, "There are but three sports, bullfighting, mountain climbing and motor racing, the rest are just games." However, I am not going to tell a 350 lb. NFL lineman that he is only playing a silly game. I rather like the definition of a sport as, "If you may need an ambulance ride before it is over, then it is a sport."
Be careful fancan, quoting Papa might get you tagged as being a gentleman :>)
Dale Earnhardt and Paul Newman were racers---driven competitors, thick-skinned intimidators, giants in their actions, with a sensitive side. Both were more complex than the images found on the shelf-loads of products that bore their likeness. I'm in awe of their talents and their generosity to share it with all of us. And, of course, no whining allowed.
No fear of that rocket_car, I love NASCAR, so therefore I must be a 'redneck hillbilly!'