NASCAR - Everyone is talking about it

They came around the track at near 200 MPH, one had no chance to win the race, the other had a shot at getting close to winning. A driver named Carl Edwards decided to take out the driver who might have won. It was a cheap shot by a driver who had made me proud with his gentlemanly attitude and his respect for his parents and others. So, what happened?

I don't know the whole story but from what I heard, it started back in the other racing series. One wrecks the other and they take offense and wreck them in return. One might be an accident due to inexperience, the other on purpose. Why?

These drivers race for big bucks. They are able to buy airplanes and helicopters and do quite well financially after they have paid their dues in the lower series, much like the minor leagues in baseball. The players do their time and when they get to the big leagues they make good money and enjoy fame on television and in the stadiums.

These race car drivers are business men as much as drivers. They risk their lives for a price.

I enjoy the racing. I like to see the strategy of the pits and the drivers maneuvering through traffic. Some teams take the whole race to finish their plan to win and often do. It is a few seconds here and more there until they are leading the race. The wrecks on the other hand are usually the result of a driver or drivers not being gentlemen on the track. Perhaps a driver sees his income slipping down and knows his lifestyle will suffer and so he takes it out on someone else instead of blaming his own lack of skill or drive to be a winner.

Some drivers loose it. I've seen winners turn into 'not winners' after they suffered a serious wreck. It is understandable. Who of use does not slow down after we make a mistake and almost have a wreck?

Edwards was wrong for taking his frustration and anger onto the race track. Perhaps he had been wronged before. Perhaps he was the victim of a rookie mistake. Regardless, Carl is a better man than that. He being the senior driver should have taken the high road with the whole thing. He has damaged his reputation seriously. He may have even put his career into a steep nose dive. We will see in the next race if he is not suspended. Remember these are teams and such behavior could spill over onto other drivers. I hope they will all forgive and forget and let the sport continue in a respectable manner.

Nascar

Here they come, rounding that last turn before they let those horses go...NASCAR is coming.

I like racing but it has become boring in the last couple of years. I really do not like wrecks, although I watch the replays. What I like is the maneuvering the drivers do. I like to see some passing going on. All this going around in circles in a single file is not racing, it is playing follow the leader. I've said for years that races were won or lost in the pits but still I want to see some racing on the track.

They have made some changes that might give the drivers a chance to race but a lot of drivers are so accustomed to just riding around that I don't know if those drivers can actually race their cars. This might be the season when the race car drivers stand out from the race car riders. Anyone who says they are just out there to ride around should be fired for not doing their job. I think many drivers get to the point where they are afraid of racing but stay out there for the money. I understand being afraid, it is a dangerous business, but when they get to that point they should find something else to do.

Go get 'em.... and .... be safe.

NASCAR

I'm an avid race fan. I don't even mind left turns. NASCAR is doing good on keeping the drivers safe. I do see one problem. Much of the excitement is gone because the cars are so equal. I know drivers can make the difference but it is more about strategy than about great driving. Some of the drivers still have the thrill of driving in their blood but, I fear, many are turning into billboards. They ride around at a relatively safe speed holding up their sign. Others may have become fearful of a crash. I noticed that there are two drivers who were in burning vehicles a couple of years back and have failed to be contenders since then. I really understand, it is a terrible thing to be trapped. I don't fall out with them. The thing is, if they are afraid to race, it would be safer for everyone if they would retire. Cars going around at a much slower pace than the field cause extra danger for everyone out there.