You have to love the many personalities you find at the local tracks. They actually give character to this sport. What made this sport unique and interesting was the character of the drivers and their accessibility to the fans. The latter is still happening today.
The reason I say that is because that is one thing that many fans are hearing today about the well known drivers, that they are no longer themselves but more of a marketing machine or spokesperson. In today’s politically correct society, we have to choose our words carefully or we a scarlet letter on our foreheads.
Many things that have started at the top levels of this sport has transcended down to the short tracks, but I think there is a slower progression of a driver’s character being removed. The short tracks today still have those drivers with their unique characteristics.
Here are a few types that I think of…
THE “I AM NOT CHANGING” DRIVER – These are the veteran drivers who are racing the same car that they have for the last 10-20 years. Most of them are on a limited budget and still consider their weekly venture to the race track in the same manner as we would go fishing. It’s enjoyable and fun, and it’s not about moving up in the racing world. Its all about just loading up the car each week, hauling it to the track, unload it, race with some friends, get some tow money at the end of the night and head home.
THE “HE STILL WEARS THAT?” DRIVER – Just about every track has that driver who has been wearing the same cowboy hat or hat for the last, oh forget putting a number of years in it, its just forever. Richard Petty has his signature cowboy hat that he always wears and there is a driver at the local track who does the same thing. For many, it’s a good luck charm. Also, you tend to see these drivers in the same category above.
THE “WORN OUT RECREATIONAL CITY SOFTBALL PLAYER” DRIVER – You know who these people are, if you ever go to a small town or city recreational softball game, you will always find at least one player who has to tell the umpire on a regular basis that they suck, they don’t know what they are doing, and every call is wrong when its against their team. The only happiness they find in life is when they beat the other team by a wide margin and wonder why Major League Baseball hasn’t called them yet.
THE “I AM GETTING READY FOR NASCAR” DRIVER – They show up at the track wearing the official team uniform, the Sharpie marker is within close reach to pull out like a gun from a holster to sign autographs, smiles and waves to everyone like they are your best friend or the opposite that they won’t acknowledge you because you are not at their level. The exude confidence and win they win a race, they sound like a NASCAR driver by first stating, “Well…the Maria’s Pizza, Jack’s Liquor Store, U Wash Your Own Laundromat, and Earl’s Car Wash Chevy Impala ran great tonight in our heat race. We have a few bugs to work out but we should be ready to go for the semi-feature.”
THE “I AM GETTING MY CHILD READY FOR NASCAR” PARENT – The child is anywhere from 6 to 14-years-old and the parents are seeing the child as their golden ticket to fame and fortune. The parents show more passion than the child and some will even hire a marketing firm to come to the track and make sure the track announcer does a one-on-one interview even though the child has done nothing yet. The word “fun” is not seen in their pits, but business and stress.
THE “BEND OVER BACKWARDS TO HELP MY FELLOW COMPETITOR” DRIVER – These are the drivers and crew members that will not hesitate to go and help out a fellow competitor when they need it, whether it’s helping fix a car from a wreck to help with something mechanical. This is one of the more unique things you see behind the scenes when you wonder any pits at a local track. It’s one of the things that make you proud to be a part of this sport.
This is just a sample of what you would see at a local short track. Add this along with the great side-by-side racing, the variety of divisions, an entertaining track announcer, and a reasonable ticket price…it’s no wonder why short track racing has a loyal fan following.
There are plenty of other characters out there and the best way to see them first hand is simple, visit your local short track.
