I used to watch every Winston Cup race and knew the birthplace of every driver. Then Alan Kulwiki died in a plane crash. Davey Allison in a helicopter wipe out, then Neil Bonnett was gone. Swirvin' Irvin bonked his head badly, Darryl was no longer compeitive, had retired, then Harry Gant. Kenny Irwin got killed and never nervous Jeff Purvis bashed his head again along with up and coming phenomenom Steve Park.
Tony Stewart, and Jeff Gordon were mega-talented but lacked that Southern drawl. Tim Steele was dominating in ARCA and seemed like the next big thing until...bonk to the head in '97. Page Jones (son of Parnelli) was also headed for big things until... "Bonk" to the head. He remained in the hospital for some 10+ years and never walked again.
The only guy who could out Earnhardt Dale Earnhardt, Tim Richmond was gone, and awesome Bill from Dawesonville had switched to a Dodge. Mark Martin still hadn't won a cup and world class roller skater Morgan Sheppard was still hanging in there with Dave Marcus.
Terry Labonte made a ressurgance along with his little brother Bobby. Ned Jarretts kid won a lot too. Ricky Rudd stepped down and Rusty was still....Rusty.
One day a fairly minor looking crash took out the undisputed ruler of the sport and it really never seemed to recover. NASCAR racing is still a sport loaded with talented youngsters you never hear about protesting the national anthem or being busted for running dope up the interstate. Heck, there are even the occasional fist fights on pit road. But to me at least, the thrill is gone. I don't even know who won the title this year (or who sponsors the series anymore).
Maybe in February I'll make the effort to listen to the races on the radio.
Any NASCAR fans here?
Tony Stewart, and Jeff Gordon were mega-talented but lacked that Southern drawl. Tim Steele was dominating in ARCA and seemed like the next big thing until...bonk to the head in '97. Page Jones (son of Parnelli) was also headed for big things until... "Bonk" to the head. He remained in the hospital for some 10+ years and never walked again.
The only guy who could out Earnhardt Dale Earnhardt, Tim Richmond was gone, and awesome Bill from Dawesonville had switched to a Dodge. Mark Martin still hadn't won a cup and world class roller skater Morgan Sheppard was still hanging in there with Dave Marcus.
Terry Labonte made a ressurgance along with his little brother Bobby. Ned Jarretts kid won a lot too. Ricky Rudd stepped down and Rusty was still....Rusty.
One day a fairly minor looking crash took out the undisputed ruler of the sport and it really never seemed to recover. NASCAR racing is still a sport loaded with talented youngsters you never hear about protesting the national anthem or being busted for running dope up the interstate. Heck, there are even the occasional fist fights on pit road. But to me at least, the thrill is gone. I don't even know who won the title this year (or who sponsors the series anymore).
Maybe in February I'll make the effort to listen to the races on the radio.
Any NASCAR fans here?