One of my great passions besides sports is music. In fact, I often tell people that I got into radio because it was a place where I could combine my love of politics, sports and music.
Today, we combine these two passions as songs become NASCAR awards for 2008. I will call them the “Jimmy Mac” Awards- after me. Hey- Donald Trump can name stuff after himself, why can’t I?
Before I get started, I issue the warning that it pays to have a sense of humor. None of these awards are meant as slams, because if you know me, you know that I truly harbor no dislike for any driver, though as a fan, I have my favorites. Besides, I think you’ll agree there are some adverse situations that have an element of humor to them.
So- without here are the 2008 Jimmy Mac’s:
The Nickelback “Rock Star” Award- Dale Earnhardt Jr.- According to Joyce Julius at “A Second Look”- Dale Earnhardt Jr. delivered $185 million of advertising exposure in just the first 15 races of 2008! Compare that to champion Jimmie Johnson’s $118 million. Kyle Busch once opined that June Bug practically has his own personal camera at the races. It’s hard to argue. Imagine if he won a championship. He’d be Elvis! This guy is money in the bank for his advertisers.
The Kenny Loggins “I’m Alright” Award- Jeff Gordon- He may have broken his streak of seasons with at least one win after 14 years, but this guy but “…don’t nobody worry about me.” The Rainbow Warrior has a hot wife, a beautiful baby daughter and his employee kicked butt again. No need to cry for Jeff here. Besides, he’ll back- you just know it.
The Toby Keith “(Ain’t) As Good As I Once Was” Award- Kyle Petty- The last time Petty went to victory lane, another Kyle with the last name of Busch was 10-years- old. I give Kyle props for getting out there and giving it the “old college try”- but his chassis’s got a lot of mileage on it.
The Carrie Underwood “Wasted” Award- Kyle Busch- Poor Shrub. The guy owned the first half of the season with 8 wins and looked like a near “sure thing” to wrap up his first title. Then- all hell broke loose down the stretch to doom his chances, wasting his early season dominance. Busch, who once sat the top of the standings in the early summer, wound up 10th, 498 points out of first in spite of a victory total near the top of the leader chart..
The Billy Joel “Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song” Award- Tony Stewart- “Smoke” departing Joe Gibbs Racing was one of the big headlines of the summer of 2008. How lucky could I be that a song that sings of moving out is called “Anthony’s Song”? How lucky can a guy be? Stewart will team up with fellow Hoosier Ryan Newman to lead Stewart- Haas Racing in 2009.
The Eddie Cochran “Summertime Blues” Award- Kasey Kahne- This rockabilly classic is symbolic of Kasey’s summer. Kahne caught fire with a pair of late Spring victories, giving long-suffering fans a glimmer of hope he might be a contender. It was not be, as Kahne battled inconsistency throughout the summer, missing the chase in spite of the fact he owned 2008 victories that the likes of chasers such as Kevin Harvick, Jeff Gordon, Matt Kenseth didn’t have.
The Johnny Cash “Ring Of Fire” Award- Kyle Busch- No one set off more fireworks than Busch during the 2008 season- creating a bigger buzz than a fifth of Jack Daniels. Kyle traded paint with Stephen Wallace, Ron Hornaday, Juan Pablo Montoya and the beloved Dale Jr. He ain’t boring- give him credit for that!
The Billy Joel “You May Be Right (I May Be Crazy)” Award- Carl Edwards- Another trackside incident, this one with Kevin Harvick, has raised questions of sanity and ‘roid rage for one of NASCAR’s buff guys. Edwards recently announced his engagement to a pretty young doctor. I wonder if she’s a psychologist?
The Willie Nelson “On The Road Again” Award- Mark Martin- 2009 will mark the return of Mark Martin to full-time Cup racing with Hendrick Motorsports after two years of part-time driving. Arlene might just get a little more work done around the house without Mark around, and maybe, just maybe, Martin will get that title that has eluded him.
The Sammy Hagar “I Can’t Drive 55″ Award- Michael Waltrip- This one’s obvious, but the video (click on the title link) is worth it. Whether this suggests that Mikey can’t drive his #55 ride or that he can’t get it up to 55 m.p.h., I will leave you to decipher.
The Survivor “Eye Of The Tiger” Award- Crew Chief Chad Knaus- Nobody was more focused on delivering a Sprint Cup title than Chad Knaus. One of my personal favorites from my senior year of high school, I present you “Eye OF The Tiger.”
And finally, in honor of Jimmie Johnson’s third straight NASCAR title…..
The Van Halen “Top Jimmy” Award- Jimmie Johnson- This little-known song from the album 1984 has some mad guitar harmonics on it and says it all about Jimmie Johnson’s status as a NASCAR stud right now “Top Jimmy cooks, Top Jimmy swinds, he’s got the looks, Top Jimmy- he’s the king.”
Hope you enjoyed the awards. May also recommend two of the some the best car racing songs I’ve ever heard. Check out Hot Rod Race” and “Hot Rod Lincoln” by rockabilly Charlie Ryan. They kinda get you in an old school mood.
Feel free to submit your own nominations. I’d like to hear ‘em.
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What a great post. Listened to all the videos but especially loved the Top Jimmy award for Jimmie Johnson!
@vdeputy. Glad you liked it. Wondered if I was the only person who knew that song.
In the wasted colum you said Kyle didnt even finish in the top ten. You need to do your homwork Kyle DID finish in the top ten
@Steve. Ooohh yeah. Mistake corrected. As you see now, he was 10th…..498 points out of first.
This post totally (((Rocks))) JimmyMac ! What an awesome idea…
very creative on your part …The songs were ‘perfect’ picks for each
driver !!!
This is GR88T !! Thanks for taking the time to post all the songs !!!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS JimmyMac
~Dixie~
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