As sports fans go, NASCAR fans are a unique breed of cat. In terms of loyalty, fans of what Jim Rome derisively coined the “Left Turn League” rank right up there with fans of the Chicago Cubs, the New York Knicks, and the Green Bay Packers. Outsiders try to understand why but regard said fan like they would that beloved, yet slightly eccentric cousin.
Today, the lovely and talented Miss Mustang Jackie shares a wistful tale that serves to remind us that we NASCAR fans see the world through smoke-tinted glasses, and that much like church- many may attend, but few understand.
Without any further aduei, here’s Jackie….
Even if you are just a casual fan of NASCAR, you will immediately recognize the names Earnhardt, Petty, and Gordon. And if you are a big fan you will recognize others like Martin, Edwards, and Stewart. And if you are a die hard fan, you’ll recognize old timers like Cale Yarborough, Junior Johnson, and Tim Flock.
Angela is someone I consider my best friend. We’ve known each other since before the first grade. All through our school years, Angela lived on a neighboring farm, 3 miles from my Dad’s farm. When we went off to Texas Tech, Angela was my roommate for 3 1/2 years. And today, because of job obligations and other circumstances we live about 150 miles apart. But we stay in touch by phone and e-mails almost daily. And we try to visit each other often as possible.
But try as I may, I cannot get Angela interested in NASCAR. “It’s boring to watch cars go in a circle!!!” she says. I try to explain that it’s not all about what you see on the track each weekend, but having favorite drivers and teams, keeping up with the points, watching 13 second pit stops and of course, watching for the “Big One” to happen during a race. But the phrase “Gentleman start your engines!!” and “Boogity Boogity Boogity!!” has no meaning to her at all.
But all this leads to the start of the story… What’s in a name?
A few months ago, Angela and I were going to the local Wal-Mart. Now, in West Texas going to a local Wal-Mart means driving 30 or 40 miles on a more or less desolate highway with miles of nothing except cotton fields and mesquite trees on either side. Angela and I was in my car.
A little about my car… It’s a Mustang GT and I bought it new in the fall of 2000. Since then a friend that owns an auto repair shop in Lubbock has added a few “performance” parts to the engine. To say it in a modest way, it will go fast when I mash the gas.
So as Angela and I were cruising along that long stretch of road and talking our usual gossip, I caught up with another car going fairly slow. It was one of the little “rice burners”, a Toyota or Honda, I’m not sure. And it had that ridiculous looking huge tailpipe underneath and silly looking wing on the trunk.
As I pulled out in the left lane to pass, I looked over and the driver of the car and his passenger were zit faced teenage boys, apparently trying to look cool by wearing their caps backwards. And although I couldn’t see for sure, no doubt they were probably wearing those droopy drawer pants.
I was almost clear of their car when they sped up and ran along side of us. On occasion I have been known to have a short temper, so it did irk me that they wanted to “play”. We ran side by side for a ways until I looked over and saw stupid grins on their faces. I guess they thought that the glorified 4 banger motor they had would run against my 400hp pony. Wrong…
I downshifted from 5th to 4th gear and went to about 4000+ rpm and shifted back to 5th. As you might guess, we were going just a litttle over the 70mph speed limit by then, maybe even a tad over triple digit speed. Angela does not share my need for speed and was saying things like “Are you nuts???!!! Slow down!!”. In a few miles those two ads for pimple medication and their Japanese boat anchor were just dots in my rearview mirror.
But Angela was still giving me the riot act about my driving. I was about to tell her to cool it when she said “What are you thinking??? Are you trying to drive like that Dale Barnhart Jr guy on TV??”
So what’s in a name… even from a non-NASCAR fan?
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Jackie, Great story. I too have a fast car. It’s a 2002 Firebird and it’s a blast to drive. I often find people in little cars wanting to “play” and it’s fun to blow them away. I am an avid NASCAR fan, so I get it. Have fun in your Mustang!!!!