Provided by: Rob Elting
After watching the Busch and Winston Cup races from Talladega this weekend, it really hit me hard the fact that the speeds that many men have given their lives to achieve, are now the very same speeds NASCAR is trying to keep them from achieving.
The race at the super speedways has become a very careful dance with death, not a race like the builders of the tracks had intended. Now I know they built the tracks in hope that drivers would achieve the ungodly racing speed of 200 plus mph, and that was fine because technology was building right along with the size of the playgrounds, but now that they have evened up the odds by restrictor plates they have made it a 40 car dash to the finish.
We all know the races at Daytona and Talladega are very exciting and keep us on the edge of our seats waiting for the big one! Then when it comes we are swept up in the "why don't they do something about it" mode. The truth be known, there is not much that can be done short of bringing back the '74 Laguna Chevelles and let them rip!
Now that would be cool if they would let the old race cars from the 70s race then they could take the plates off! One thing is for sure, something must be done or we will all be looking at a bunch memorabilia from a legend instead of a living person. I know I am still aggravated every time I watch a cup race and that #3 black Chevy with the Intimidator in it, is not there, and won't be there again.
I am glad to report that after this weekend of the $15 million smash up derby, that there was no major injuries to report other than some cuts and broken bones, nothing an ice cold beer couldn't fix!
So the Bottomline is....... Wake up NASCAR and fix the playground, or you wont have any kids around to go round and round!
Till next time,
Bonehead
04/23/02
What do you think? Tell Bonehead!
Rob Elting is a racecar
driver and commentator for the racing scene. You can see all the great articles
and schedules for Florida at
www.FloridaAutoRacing.com.