Not long ago I watched a NASCAR classic Richmond race from the 1980’s. What a different world it was then. The announcers (including the awesome Benny Parsons – miss you man!) called the race and didn’t remind you every 5 minutes that the drivers were heroes. The drivers raced without being afraid to antagonize each other. Keeping the sponsors happy was not yet an obsession because drivers depended on their race winnings for most of their income. And of course the drivers had personalities.
Earnhardt Sr., Darrell Waltrip and Rusty Wallace were so very entertaining. They spoke their mind! I am sure younger fans were amazed at that because they only hear that right after a crash (and as soon as the driver calms down, the politically correct and sponsor correct drivel resumes). What an awesome sport that was! Watching races that were actually interesting – no stages, no green and white checkers. Just go flat out for the advertised number of laps and see where the chips fall. When Dale Sr. left this world, that part of NASCAR went with him.
Is there EVER going to be another larger than life driver in NASCAR – someone that people can admire and emulate? Sadly, probably not. Too much money is on the line in those fat sponsorships.
Today’s classic rock song is “Two Lane Blacktop” by Rob Zombie.