SassTown

Father’s Day 2008 was a monumental day for all of us diehard Earnhardt fans. Good old Junior won the race at the Michigan International Speedway. After the controversy of leaving his father’s team that is now controlled by his step mama, this was one very sweet win. The worse part is I had stepped out of the room and when I came back in Dale Jr. was crossing the finish line in first place. Imagine my surprise today when I switched on the tv to watch the race at the Pocono race track in Pennsylvania, to find Earnhardt talking about his new sponsor “Go Daddy.com”. I had to mention that in case you all think the only companies interested in NASCAR were Miller Brewing, Home Depot and Viagra.

I have come to really enjoy following the Nascar sport. I only became interested when I realized it was a good topic I could use with my dad. It gives us something to talk about over the phone while he’s in North Carolina. We even join into a big betting pool to  make the race even more personal for us. There, above his entertainment center hangs an authentic framed picture of Dale Earnhardt Sr., signed to my dad. A very kind friend of mine who was a GM executive was so taken with my dad after meeting him  surprised us after the next race, bringing the large picture for Virgil. The picture quickly became more valuable as Dale Sr. died shortly after that at the Daytona 500 (February 2001)race.

Oddly enough I have come to enjoy the traditions associated with the sport and learning about the personalities and families of the drivers. I also love how they gather their family around them before they hop in their car to start the race. A prayer is spoken, the national anthem sung.... and then it’s “GENTLEMEN, START YOUR ENGINES!”