Track Smack All Things NASCAR - 24/7
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Angie
I woke up early in anticipation of my visit to the Hall of Fame. After a stop to meet up with a pal, we were on our way and finally arrived around 11:30am.
The first stop was a visit to The High Octane Theater to see a short film about the evolution of NASCAR. It was just enough to get the adrenalin pumping and we walked out eager to explore.
The first thing that caught my eye was Dale Jr’s bright yellow and blue No. 3 Wrangler car. As I approached to get a closer look, I found myself grinning from ear to ear. His emotional win in the Nationwide Series race at Daytona just a few weeks earlier will probably always be one of my favorite NASCAR memories.
I was especially pleased to see that the car had been brought from the track perfectly preserved, down to the mud splattered hood and windshield. Continue reading →
Angie
 How do you define greatness? Is it based on the number of wins or championships a driver has accumulated? Can you really measure the impact one particular driver has on the sport, based on statistics?
Regardless of your definition, Fireball Roberts was one of NASCAR’s most influential and successful drivers. His life and career, cut short by tragedy, left a legacy that has stood the test of time.
Edward Glenn “Fireball” Roberts, Jr. was born on January 20, 1929 in Tavares, Florida and was raised in Apopka, Florida. He reportedly played baseball there as a pitcher for the Zellwood Mud Hens.
It is commonly believed that Roberts earned the nickname “Fireball” because of his fast ball. It should be noted, however, that his baseball career and the origin of his nickname is still widely disputed.
Wherever the nickname came from, it stuck.
Roberts actually disliked the moniker and most of his friends called him by his middle name, Glenn. Among his fellow drivers, he was often referred to by a shortened version and simply called, “Balls.”
Fireball Roberts was one of NASCAR’s first stars with his aggressive driving style and his “take no prisoners” approach to racing. Continue reading →
Angie
 I had a chance to interview Trevor Bayne at Darlington Raceway on May 7th to talk to him about his first season as a fulltime Nationwide Series regular.
As soon as we began talking, I was immediately impressed with the maturity and focus that this 19-year old possesses.
He had just finished qualifying and seemed pleased with his effort. Although Bayne felt he could have pushed a little harder, he explained his strategy.
“It’s our first time here so it’s better to have a car in one piece and still have a potentially qualifying top ten than it is going for a top three.”
His plan seemed to work and he earned a ninth place starting position for the Royal Purple 200 race later that evening. He finished the race in 16th place and advanced to the 11th position in the Nationwide Series points standings.
I asked Bayne to grade his season to date and although he was reluctant to do so, he sounded encouraged by what they have been able to accomplish thus far.
“I think we’re on the right track,” he said. “We’re definitely going in the right direction.” Continue reading →
Angie
 Wendell Oliver Scott, born in 1921 in Danville, Virginia, was an American stock car driver and a pioneer of NASCAR. On March 4, 1961 in Spartanburg SC, he broke down racial barriers to make his first start in the NASCAR Grand National (now Sprint Cup) division. Scott went on to become the first and to date, the only, African-American to win a NASCAR Sprint Cup event.
In recognition of his contributions, NASCAR will pay tribute to Scott this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway. All of the competing vehicles will have a commemorative decal bearing his image.
Daughter of the late Scott, Sybil Scott, will attend the race as well as Drive for Diversity competitor, Jason Romero. Romero was the 2009 recipient of the Wendell Scott Trailblazer Award. This award is given annually to a minority or female driver who displays excellence on and off the track in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.
A look into his life gives us insight into a tumultuous part of NASCAR and American history. Continue reading →
Angie
 Matt Poole is a man on a mission.
The fantasy began as a childhood dream and lay dormant for much of his adult life. Then tragedy struck, not once, but twice, and suddenly Matt had a clear vision of his future.
As a child, his mother often asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up. The answer was always the same.
“I want to be a race car driver,” the youngster replied.
But, childhood desires were soon replaced by the realities of life and the dream was set aside.
Then, in 2003, Poole lost his mother when she died suddenly from a heart attack. His father, suffering from Parkinson’s disease, was left alone. Matt’s Mom had always been the foundation of the family and her death affected him deeply.
After her funeral, Matt could only think of one thing. He had to do something to honor his mother’s memory and pay tribute to the woman who had shaped his life. With a newly found clarity and a desire fueled by heartbreak, he decided to take a chance and begin his quest to race. Continue reading →
Angie
Sergio Pena, driving for Revolution Racing and the Drive for Diversity program, made the most of his first start at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale, California this weekend.
He arrived at the speedway to begin a two step process that would give him the opportunity to race in the Toyota All Star Showdown.
First he had to earn his way into the event by competing in a qualifying race with his three teammates Thursday evening. He won easily making him eligible to qualify for the Showdown.
The next step for the 16 year old rookie from Virginia came on Friday when he would have to qualify for the chance to compete. He not only qualified but surprised everyone with an outstanding run, capturing the pole position. Joey Logano, 2009 Sprint Cup driver rookie of the year, qualified in second spot.
Saturday night the race began with Sergio Pena leading the first lap. Throughout the race the two drivers battled side by side, swapping the lead. Pena drove an almost flawless race keeping fans on the edge of their seats. Continue reading →
Angie
On Wednesday Junior Johnson was one of the first five inductees into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, joining Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, Bill France Sr. and Bill France Jr.
Johnson was deeply honored and somewhat shocked to be included in this group of NASCAR pioneers.
“It’s probably the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me,” he said.
Though some have questioned Junior Johnson’s inclusion in the first class of NASCAR’s Hall of Fame, he is arguably one of the most colorful and successful figures in the history of stock car racing. Continue reading →
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