…I would have one no more!
I’ve stopped looking at NASCAR dot com recently, simply because it’s nothing more than a cheering section for the ever image-concerned NASCAR money making machine. The reporters and writers on NASCAR dot com seem to be in the hip pocket of NASCAR saying only what the hierarchy of NASCAR wants them to say. It also seems the golden rule of many on the site is — Say nothing bad about NASCAR, lest you will lose your job — But, then again, they also only seem to employ wet-behind-the-ears-rookie-writers who know little to nothing about the sport of racing in first place.
Now, as I sit watching the race from Bristol tonight the 31 car driven by Jeff Burton does not look like this…
For years it was known as the Winston Cup and not once did Winston complain if some other tobacco company decided to sponsor a car. After all, I’m sure Winston knew if they kept sponsors out, car owners would drop cars for the simple fact that it takes money to race cars.
A couple years ago Winston left as the main sponsor for NASCAR and a huge deal was signed by Nextel to be the main sponsor of the elite racing series. But, there was one major difference. Apparently Nextel is afraid of competition and they also, along with NASCAR, don’t believe in a free society where anyone can put up money and sponsor a car. In the beginning Nextel said something to the effect of we’re the main sponsor, so no other phone company can be involved in the sport. For whatever reason, NASCAR went along with it! Of course it’s probably because of the huge dollar figure Nextel is ponying up to NASCAR to sponsor the series.
But, now Jeff Burton is going around the track without any sponsorship on his car because NASCAR won a court case saying Richard Childress racing had to take the AT and T logo off the 31 car. I think having Burton go around the track in the brilliant Cingular orange color, is a bigger slap in the face for NASCAR than anything else. It’s Childress’ way of saying Cingular is the new AT and T and look at us! We’re bright orange for all to see!
Personally, my phone happens to be a Cingular now AT and T phone. But, as I said above, if I were a Nextel phone subscriber, I’d be canceling my account and burning rubber with a Cingular now AT and T phone just to show my disgust for the monopoly NASCAR is allowing to take place in racing.
Notice the burning rubber as I leave the pits. Leaving the Nextel competition in the smoke, as I reach for my new Cingular the new AT and T phone.
Just my two cents,
Dr. Rus
P.S. Pictures taken at Watkins Glen by me during this years race at The Glen!
But now, after holding onto the ball for just a short time, Murphy announced at a news conference he’s going to put the baseball up for sale. Bonds* says he doesn’t want the ball. As a matter of fact he went on to say, “I’ve never believed a home run ball belonged to the player. If he caught it, it’s his.”
There was much to-do about the whole event as ESPN provided pretty much non-stop coverage of every aspect of the home run record. It was really pretty much an embarrassing “love-fest” with the network fawning over every move he made. The baseball commissioner was in attendance for 755, but not for 756. Hank Aaron, a true baseball hero, was present for neither round-tripper. Who can blame him. The whole world knows Bonds* is a cheater. As a matter of fact, in conversations I’ve had with school Superintendents, they’ve told me even school kids shun the name Barry Bonds* noting that he’s no hero, he’s a cheater.
Reality is, if you stacked Bonds* up against Hammering Hank during Hank’s heyday, Bonds* would pale in comparison.
The day after Bonds* hit #756, President Bush placed a phone call to Barry Bonds*. While we don’t know what all was said, President Bush did say he made no mention of Bonds’ “alleged” use of illegal performance-enhancing drugs that many argue taint his record. Many believe Bonds should have an asterisk behind his name, forever noting that he cheated to get to where he is today. I’m sure the phone call was polite, and pretty much obligatory as well. After all, President Bush usually acknowledges sports accomplishments.
In an interesting turn of events, that’s probably the only time Kurt saw or held the trophy for the day. Why you ask? The day after the race the young Kurt Busch, whom by the way just barely makes the legal drinking age, admitted in an interview that they did have beer in Victory Lane, and they did have quite a celebration. Now don’t get me totally wrong here. I understand they’re going to celebrate, but the rub comes with the staged celebration obviously put forth by a beer company.
First off, I thought it was supposed to be Gatorade in Victory Lane. Since when are drivers allowed to crack open a beer in Victory Lane? Then, Kurt Busch, who looks all of 12 anyway, tells everyone to run on out to their local store and buy some Miller Lite and party all week long! What a great role model that is. A race car driver wins a race, and then he encourages all his fans to go get drunk. I guess maybe he doesn’t mind contributing to the number of people with alcohol problems in the nation.
