by richard teague tinynascars@yahoo.com
Yes sir, this has been one tough article to write this week. This being my umpteenth time to try, I sure hope it's worthy of your time. I seem to have what is called "writer's block," but in my case it could be a lack of news, since NA$CAR ain't doing much to talk about. Sure, a few teams are testing for the new season and there are a few silly things happening, but nada like the season we just went through. All the big name drivers have got their rides lined up and their Christmas presents bought (or at least I hope they have) and most owners have taken on their new partners and the checks are in the bank to make payroll for next year. Toyota has got themselves a new "Flagship" team in Joe Gibbs Racing and a big name driver in Tony Stewart, or they think they do, remember last week's column.
Brian France is opening new bank accounts all around Daytona Beach getting ready to fill 'em up with money he hopes to bring in. As long as the fans keep giving it to him there's really no hoping there. You know, one day I hope (and I mean soon) Mr. France will realize that us fans are getting real tired of the things he keeps doing to this sport. I'm still waiting for the new tweaks NA$CAR has got planned for 2008. You just know they're coming but they might be afraid to say them right now. What on earth will they be? I have not got a clue. I'm just as clueless as Brian France when he makes changes he doesn't even understand. If some big money analyst told him that he could make more money by putting racecars around a track clockwise, he'd change the rule (if there is one).
I know I have been real quiet for a long time about NA$CAR, and particularly Mr. France, so as a kind of parting shot and a Christmas present to y'all I think I will catch up this week. Now that may mean I won't get my invite to Media Day, but dang the bad luck (or damn the torpedoes); full speed ahead. Since he has taken the helm of NA$CAR we have seen the Chase format started along with Toyota entering Winston Cup. Yeah, I know it's Nextel (now Sprint). General Motors and Budweiser have pulled sponsorship of the #29 and #8 cars and when RCR signs a multi-year contract with AT&T, good ole NA$CAR says they got to be out in one year. Teams have to sell themselves to uncommon businesses to be able to race for as long as the new money holds out, which may not be very long when these new part owners see the figures coming in this next year.
Just how long do you think that guys like Gillett or any of the names ya' never heard of will keep putting huge money down a well that isn't showing a return? Is the write-off at the end of the year for their company really worth spending the kind of money to race in NA$CAR? Wasn't it last year that Brian France and NA$CAR said that the single team owners are what they want in NA$CAR? Y'all remember. "Diversity" I believe the word was? Oh sure, there have been a few new teams, but how many races have they ran in and will they continue next year? The small guy ain't got a chance in this game no more, and hasn't had in quite some time, perhaps even before Brian, but AB (After Brian) they won't ever have one. I wonder, what happens to the fine that is levied against teams, just who gets that money, REALLY?
Toyota started with Michael Waltrip last year and now they got Gibbs, was that why Mikey got some new partner? Because Toyota is dumping the big bucks over there? I never could understand why they went with MWR unless it was because of DW, or did Mr. France help some too? If he did, you know he got his cut right off the top. There again, NA$CAR didn't care if a Japanese car manufacturer got into Cup racing, they're making money off them. I really hope that France makes some announcements next week just in time for Christmas with some more changes to racing. It'll be just like presents under the tree, but even better. Yeah right! Just when you think that there ain't no more surprises that NA$CAR could come up with - wham bam thank you fan - here's more.
I think I better back off right here, I really don't want to blow mine and John's chance to go to Media Day. I know he would be mad at me again and might not talk to me like he did a few years back if'n I did that. Well, just one more little thing. I wonder if those Daytona Beach Police that answered the DUI driver call last year and ended up at Brian France's condo are on his Christmas list again this year? I also wonder just how long you have to keep the cops that were there on that list. Does the police chief stay on it longer than the officers? Does he get a nicer gift? How many edges are there on Sir Knight France's sword that he wields in his Kingdom of NA$CAR, is it a single or double edged instrument he carries?
Well Christmas is here and in just a couple of nights the Big Guy in the red suit will be coming our way. I love this time of the year since I can sing Christmas songs and nobody will look at me like I'm weird. Yeah, I sing 'em all year long, but not so I can be heard by all. But these days you can hear me walking around work doing it and I'll even get someone to join in. We're going to have our new annual Christmas Breakfast again this year, since it worked out so well last time. Ann enjoys it because there is not quite as much food to prepare, but it's still a bunch of work and Bubbas & Bubba-ettes it is nice. I remember how I used to starve all morning long waiting for dinner around 1 or 2, but no more. We get stuffed at 10 am and then it's on to the Honey Baked a little later it can't get any better!!
Without further ado I'll get right to my seasonal poem. I hope you like it. It might be a long one. I kinda' make it up as I go along.
'Twas the night before Christmas
And all through the place
Many drivers where stirring
But I couldn't see their face
Next door at my buddy's
I did see in the foyer
With his big smile
It was Clint Bowyer
His big black Chevy
Was parked right out front
And with bottles of Jack Black
They were all getting drunk
Way across the street
At my good friend Pete's
It wasn't for certain
but I think I saw Ward Burton
I jumped out of bed
And pulled on my pants
Just in time to look out back
and see Brian France
I told my dear wife
It's a heck of a life
To have all these good guys
And one dad burn France
I just knew it was my turn
So I went down the stairs
Got ready to open the door
And get the answer to my prayers
It wasn't that long
Until I heard the song
Yabba-Dabba-Doo
I got plenty of Mountain Dew
I saw out the doorway
The big green and white
Parked right in my driveway
Dale Jr. all big and bright
He flew threw the door
I always knew he could soar
Then landed with a thud
And asked for a cold Bud
Laid out all our presents
Just a quick as he came
Then back to the 88
Where he called out my name
He then gathered the drivers
And told them to fly high
They need the altitude
To get over DEI
As high as the stars
They all flew the cars
As each and everyone
Hollered out in fun
MERY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT!
From Myself and My Family to all of You, May This Be A Very Special Christmas!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS !
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