Saturday, July 4, 2015

Kyle Busch Returns to the Scene of His Accident

This week's race at Daytona International Speedway brings Kyle Busch to scene of the accident that side-lined him from racing for many weeks.

Since returning to racing, his life has been on the upward track.  He and his wife Samantha welcomed their son in May.  Last week, Kyle Busch won the Sprint Cup race at Sonoma.

Things haven't started out that well for him this weekend.  During Friday's first practice session, Busch was involved in a multi-car wreck that began with as Busch and Brad Keselowski.  Busch's car was heavily damaged and he was forced to go to a back-up car.  Keselowski was able to return to the track in his car as Busch observed, "He got away unscathed and trashed everybody else's stuff."

Will Busch let it go or will there be retribution during Sunday's race?  

He did show a spirit of gratitude this week by returning to the Daytona hospital where he was treated immediately after the wreck that broke his leg and foot.  He complimented them on the care and expertise shown him during his stay there.  

Is this where we will see the off-track Kyle and the on-track Kyle?  Will he demonstrate the high-spirited and volatile nature we came to expect from him or will he show us the new, and some might say mature, nature that has been evidencing through this year's troubles.

We will check back late Sunday night and we'll all see the results.





Friday, July 3, 2015

Michigan International Speedway Takes a Stand with NASCAR

NASCAR issued a statement on Thursday, July 2, 2015 regarding the display of the Confederate Flag at their facilities and NASCAR events.

Michigan International Speedway signed on in support of NASCAR's stand.

The statement read, "As members of the NASCAR industry, we join NASCAR in the desire to make our events among the most fan-friendly, welcoming environments in all of sports and entertainment."

They went on to say, "This will include the request to refrain from displaying the Confederate Flag at our facilities and NASCAR events.

No doubt, this stand will generate much controversy among NASCAR fans.

I see the problem of one of perception.  In Michigan and other northern tracks, many fans see the Confederate flag as a symbol of what was fought against in the Civil War.  The Civil War is seen as a fight to free the slaves.

However, this perception is not shared by many in the South.  While living in the South, I've heard the Civil War  referred to as the War of Northern Aggression.  That puts a different spin on everything.  That explains the opinion of one NASCAR fan quoted this week as she sat in the infield at Daytona International Speedway.

"We're not flying it for controversy.  Every race, we fly it.  We've got the American flag, the rebel flag, the POW.  It all to me goes together.  Our freedom.  It's Dixie."

But the pro-flag fans have to realize that not all fans feel this way when they see this flag.  It can be offensive and a symbol of repression.

So to NASCAR fans, let's realize our sport is no longer a Southern sport but enjoyed by millions outside of the South.

Kudos to Michigan International Speedway for taking a stand that may cost them fans and attendance at the August race.  However, it may bring in more fans who are happy to see an organization that is willing to take a hard stance because they feel it is right.