Here it is, ladies and gentlemen, our finale to the 2009 “Speed Bumps” Awards. For those of you who didn’t catch this last year, this is my opportunity to share with you two of my passions: sports and music.
For those of you much younger or much older, you’ll figure out very quickly that this list is compiled by someone who cut his radio teeth on the classic rock and country of the 70s and 80s- with a few other odd, random numbers thrown in.
This is a complete audio/ visual experience- just click on the links for the YouTube link to enjoy the song and music video. So go to the fridge, pour yourself your favorite beverage and prepare to have some fun. I hope you have as much fun with this as I have. Feel free to throw in a few of your own. The songs are linked to YouTube for your listening and viewing pleasure….
The Queen “I Want It All” Award- Jimmie Johnson- The secret of his success? No one wants it worse. An even bigger ingredient? Crew chief Chad Knaus is even more driven than Johnson us. Love him or not, there’s no denying the work that’s gone into “Four Is Fine in ‘09” campaign.
The Eagles’ “Life In The Fast Lane” Award- Kyle Busch- Once again, “Wild Thing” was all over the map, running double and sometimes, triple duty. It’s crazy to think of the miles Busch racked up in the Sprint Cup, Nationwide and CWTS. On the downside, it’s possible all the jet-setting cost him a legitimate shot at a Sprint Cup title. The upside? The mercurial Las Vegan earned a Nationwide Series title with an insane run of first and second place finishes.
The Soggy Bottom Boys’ (Dan Tyminski) “Man Of Constant Sorrows” Award- Michael Waltrip- I’m not the first (I forget who it was to make this reference concerning Waltrip) to think of this, but it makes sense, when you consider the laconic career of this owner of four plate race wins in roughly a quarter of a century of racing. To salute the driver with a goofy persona, here’s an equal goofy video taken from “Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?” with George Clooney.
The Three Doors Down “Let Me Be Myself” Award- Dale Earnhardt Jr.- This is a really cool unplugged version of the number performed at K-ROCK. If you listen carefully to the message of the song and think about the off-the-chart expectations and the derisive comments of the haters, the song makes a fitting anthem.
The Elton John “I’m Still Standing” Award- Mark Martin- As much as it was a revival for the “Flying Wrinkle,” it was a test of survival. Martin had to dance on the head of a pin to make the Chase, and not only did he do it, he also made it as points leader, and battled his teammate to the end. I’ve never been much of an Elton John fan, but I love this song, and for obvious reasons, I think it fits as Martin plans a 2010 run where he might just get that championship that has eluded him.
The Styx “Renegade” Award- Jeremy Mayfield- Whether it was the way things went down at Penske, or the way thing ended at Evernham, Mayfield has always had a bit of an image as a fighter, a renegade. Now, whether you perceive Mayfield as a troubled man getting what he deserves, or if you see him as a man wrongly accused- no question Mayfield is in the battle of his life.
The Joe Walsh “Life’s Been Good” Award- Tony Stewart- Pretty much everything Smoke touched turned to gold in 2009, from his selection of personnel to his performance on the track. When you think about the charmed life Stewart has been living, combined with his free and easy persona, the song fits. For the heartland racer, here’s a classic tune from the heartland rocker.
The Jimmy Eat World “In The Middle” Award- Joey Logano- Like the song says, it’s gonna take some time, but the young rookie flashed considerable potential on the track, and it’s just a matter of time before he’ll be contending for title. This video of great catches and end zone dives links music to one of my other great passions- football.
The REO Speedwagon “Keep Pushin’” Award- Juan Pablo Montoya and Brian Vickers- Congratulations to this oair for making their first Chase. A breakthrough for both drivers.
The Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers “Won’t Back Down”- Ron Hornaday Jr.- Congratulations to the CWTS champion. His efforts were also historic as he went on an incredible mid-season tear. This song is a fitting tribute to Hornaday’s hard-charging style.
The Styx "Blue Collar Man” Award- All those hard-working people behind the scenes who lost jobs in 2009- This “keep the faith” anthem goes out to folks like our own Patrick Reynolds who found themselves “down sized” in the current economic climate. To all of you, we hopes for better things in 2010.
The Garth Brooks’ “Friends In Low Places” Award- NASCAR Fans and Bump Drafts readers- Without you, there is no NASCAR. Without your support, I’m just a noisy fan with a computer. Thank you for keeping it real and keeping it off the walls. Beyond that, no further explanation is necessary.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I love it. These are great. From one sports and music lover to another, great job. I always enjoy your stories even if we don’t agree on everything, it is always fun to read. Have a great off- season for Nascar. I am not concentrating on a way to get my Tennessee Titans in the playoffs. LOL
Theory of a Dead Man- One Step Forward and Two Steps Back – The trials and tribulations of NASCAR under Brian France’s leadership.
I believe the distance Kyle Busch traveled in races this year equaled the distance around the equator, not the distance to the moon. The moon is 240,000 miles from Earth and I doubt he drove that much in the 2009 season.
@Larry. You’re right as far as Busch’s “on track” miles are concerned. I remember hearing something to this effect, but how it all computed out, I don’t know. It’s also quite likely that the driver Kyle Busch has been confused with an author of the same name who has put ridiculous amounts of miles on his VW. I will revise the award, but you get the idea. Busch far exceeded the miles of anyone else with reckless abandon in 2009.
Oh, I have one for you. For Tony Stewart, The Shinedown-Sometimes Goodbye is a second Chance award. He was pretty darned good in his 1st year as an owner driver. Saying goodbye to Gibbs seems to be a 2nd chance for Tony to dominate.