[WVGrandma4Kasey]

By Marty Smith, NASCAR.COM
September 5, 2006
02:38 PM EDT (18:38 GMT)
While sipping scorched continental breakfast coffee in an Ontario, Calif., hotel lobby Friday morning, I was perusing the local paper and happened upon a column addressed to area NASCAR laypeople.
It sought to educate in a blithe, satirical sort of way, a vehicle to the Nextel Cup Series' periphery for the suburban L.A. "Who cares?" crowd.
I very much enjoyed it. It made me ponder -- ponder what the folks in Darlington, S.C., were up to.
There aren't many distractions in Darlington. Life moves slow most days. Fontana is the polar opposite. So much to do, so little time. Rush, rush like Paula Abdul.
Attendance is good, not great. The race is too long, but the competition is vastly improved. And NASCAR and International Speedway Corp. are committed. California Speedway abounds with capital improvements, the latest being a fan zone.
ISC needs to dump some cash into Darlington Raceway. Preserve a relic.
The Darlington Tradition steed is on life support, but I'll keep on flogging, thank you. I'm still a staunch believer that Labor Day belongs in the Pee Dee. Too bad NASCAR's more concerned with P. Diddy.
The Southern 500 was a distinguishing race on a distinguished schedule. One of the big four. A major, so to speak. Just happens to be in a non-existent television market.
But so is Martinsville. The difference? Attendance. For a time, Darlington struggled greatly to sell tickets, forcing NASCAR's hand to migrate west. It's standard business practice, of course, the vaunted bottom line.
But there's a lot to be said for history and tradition. It's very important to me, personally. It should be embraced. Not shunned.
Gussy the ol' girl up some. Buy her some new threads. Make her NASCAR's Fenway Park, an outdated, cranky must-see destination point for sports fans.
Most fans already respect her, but are reluctant to dance. Give them a reason to adjust the cummerbund and hit the floor.
The racing speaks for itself. To California Speedway's credit, the racing Sunday night was stellar at times. Tough to beat three-wide for the lead. But it still ain't Darlington.
Delusions of grandeur on my part? Possibly. But I respect Darlington more than 90 percent of the tracks on the circuit. Many folks agree. California Speedway can't say that. It's too new. It's unfair to even suggest.
It may take 40 years to garner that type of adoration.
Heck, judging by the newspaper it may take 40 years just for the townsfolk to take notice.

[3wide]

Amen Marty Smith

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by WVGrandma4Kasey

By Marty Smith, NASCAR.COM
September 5, 2006
02:38 PM EDT (18:38 GMT)
While sipping scorched continental breakfast coffee in an Ontario, Calif., hotel lobby Friday morning, I was perusing the local paper and happened upon a column addressed to area NASCAR laypeople.
It sought to educate in a blithe, satirical sort of way, a vehicle to the Nextel Cup Series' periphery for the suburban L.A. "Who cares?" crowd.
I very much enjoyed it. It made me ponder -- ponder what the folks in Darlington, S.C., were up to.
There aren't many distractions in Darlington. Life moves slow most days. Fontana is the polar opposite. So much to do, so little time. Rush, rush like Paula Abdul.
Attendance is good, not great. The race is too long, but the competition is vastly improved. And NASCAR and International Speedway Corp. are committed. California Speedway abounds with capital improvements, the latest being a fan zone.
ISC needs to dump some cash into Darlington Raceway. Preserve a relic.
The Darlington Tradition steed is on life support, but I'll keep on flogging, thank you. I'm still a staunch believer that Labor Day belongs in the Pee Dee. Too bad NASCAR's more concerned with P. Diddy.
The Southern 500 was a distinguishing race on a distinguished schedule. One of the big four. A major, so to speak. Just happens to be in a non-existent television market.
But so is Martinsville. The difference? Attendance. For a time, Darlington struggled greatly to sell tickets, forcing NASCAR's hand to migrate west. It's standard business practice, of course, the vaunted bottom line.
But there's a lot to be said for history and tradition. It's very important to me, personally. It should be embraced. Not shunned.
Gussy the ol' girl up some. Buy her some new threads. Make her NASCAR's Fenway Park, an outdated, cranky must-see destination point for sports fans.
Most fans already respect her, but are reluctant to dance. Give them a reason to adjust the cummerbund and hit the floor.
The racing speaks for itself. To California Speedway's credit, the racing Sunday night was stellar at times. Tough to beat three-wide for the lead. But it still ain't Darlington.
Delusions of grandeur on my part? Possibly. But I respect Darlington more than 90 percent of the tracks on the circuit. Many folks agree. California Speedway can't say that. It's too new. It's unfair to even suggest.
It may take 40 years to garner that type of adoration.
Heck, judging by the newspaper it may take 40 years just for the townsfolk to take notice.gif[/IMG]

OK, you kidnapped Marty Smith and wrote this piece under his name. What have you done with Marty?

I can't believe that Marty Smith, who has been the mouthpiece for the omnipetent and all knowing NA$CAR for half a decade, actually wrote this! If he did, what's he trying to do, get canned by NASCAR.com?

Marty, m'lad, IF you did, indeed, pen this, there is hope for you yet! Some things I disagree with but over all, a really fine piece. I concur!

[WVGrandma4Kasey]

Yep, Yep, Yep, did ok, didn't he.