Follow The Leader
Vivian Simons
There is
a lot of information instantly available on the Internet and television. So
very much of it starts with "They say.” I have lived a long life so far
and have spent a lot of time trying to figure out who "they" are. I
have yet to find an answer.
I read an
article a few months ago that made me stop and think about why people do the
things they do. Once again someone else was trying to tell everyone what they
should think, feel or do, and the article even included the NASCAR races they
should have on their bucket list to attend in person.
These
days there are a lot of people who seem to think they know what is best for
everyone. Those people think that what they feel is best about life,
entertainment, food and all else should apply to everyone else. That being
said, a lot of people who read that person's suggestions have possibly become
followers. These people have then passed that information on to their friends
and the followers have become larger in number.
There has
been a lot of discussion about races that many fans call “Follow the leader”
races. The races are called this because they are on a track that makes actual
racing almost impossible due to what is called “Cookie cutter” configuration.
Others say it is because some drivers have the advantage because the team owner
and sponsors have unlimited funds. Whatever the reason, these races are not as
popular with the fans as others are.
Some fans like me would like to have more road course racing.
Going
back to that article I read where someone was trying to tell NASCAR fans the
six races they should have on their 'bucket list' to attend, my question to you
is: Are you a follower or do you set
your own course and goals and follow those instead?
The six
races mentioned were: The Daytona 500, the fall Talladega race, Darlington,
Sonoma, Homestead and the All Star Race. He explained his reasons as to why
each one should be on everyone's bucket list. After reading the article I
started thinking about who is in charge of my bucket list. I concluded it is me
and only me. Sadly though, a lot of people who call themselves NASCAR fans will
let his bucket list of races to attend become theirs also and do their best to
attend each race he mentioned.
As far as
Daytona goes, I have attended many races there, back when racing was racing
with real stock cars and what I prefer to call real racers… before the Daytona
Rising project came along, which left us with entrances they are calling
injectors and before set-ups became packages. I was there during the win on
Sunday and sell on Monday era. Yes fans, there was such a time and it was real.
The cars looked like regular cars and even though there were rules, builders
could and would modify the engine and everything else they could get away with.
Some of these modifications were extremely inventive and very secretive,
especially the ones done by Smokey Yunick.
I have also been to Sonoma and the excitement was great but it is not
much fun when you cannot see the whole track. That is why I prefer TV for this
race and that is my choice to make. I have not been to the other four tracks
but they would not be on my bucket list of races to attend. I guess I could be
called a hard core fan or even a red neck fan at times. I go to races to watch
racing, not to socialize, survey the crowd and surroundings or to follow
others.
Everyone
needs to have a preference on how they choose to experience life and the things
they want to do in their life. I would like to think everyone would choose to
make their own path and choices. Just because one person likes something does
not mean anyone who doesn't like the same thing is wrong. It should be up to
each person to decide, if they have a choice, which races to attend. There are
many types of tracks. Some of them are not enticing to some of us fans because
they don't provide the kind of racing we like and some of them are tracks we
would love to attend races at. Not everyone will have an opportunity to
experience a race in person. If you are
lucky enough to attend one or several, do a lot of research from all sources
and then make your choice. Don't play follow the leader and let someone else
choose them for you.
