If you had asked me 10 ó or even five ó years ago if I was a NASCAR fan, I would have laughed in your face.
Not so anymore.
Ask me now to do something on Sunday afternoon that would require me to take a shower and change the TV from Fox and the NASCAR race, I will laugh in your face.
I think I’ve become the biggest fan of NASCAR. At least I’ve become the biggest convert. Seriously? I am usually the one rooting for the driver with probably the fewest points.
And Elliott Sadler.
Something about that Sadler boy gets me excited to see him crawl into a Sprint Cup car. I know he’s either going to do really well or land eight laps back after hitting the wall.
What can I say? I’m a sucker for underdogs.
David Reutimann is another favorite this year. This Michael Waltrip Racing driver’s going to surprise everyone this year, I think. There’s nothing bad you can say about “Beak.” He’s just a nice guy. Heck, maybe he’s too nice.
Like I said, I love NASCAR. Every year in May and October, I anticipate driving through really bad traffic over to Lowe’s Motor Speedway for the races. It’s an adventure and one I wouldn’t miss for the world. Walking among race fans is an all-time favorite and I highly recommend it. Where else would you find fans as nice to the opponent’s fans?
Certainly not baseball ó Boston and New York fans can barely stand to be in the same stadium with one another ó and football is just as bad. Ask any Redskins fan what he thinks of a Cowboys fan and stand back.
There’s just nothing not to like about NASCAR. It’s all great. I’m so glad another season has gotten underway.
Joanie Morris is editor of the Kannapolis Citizen. She can be reached at 704-932-3336 or sitting on the couch, watching another race.