With the heavy "Corporate America" business running NASCAR, much has been lost in the fire.  Turn on ESPN and the new NASCAR fan sees the likes of Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson and what's going on with 4-time champion Jeff Gordon?  Add the move of Toyota to NEXTEL Cup, and you'll see a whole new breed of "hot topics".

But what I find interesting is what every American loves.  Seeing the Underdog rise from obscurity and win a race.  At one time there was a chance of that happening, with the aging Dave Marcis and watching Daytona, the Coca-Cola 600 and Brickyard.  At Daytona, you'd see ARCA drivers (think of it as the equivalent of the Independent Baseball leagues) such as Norm Benning, Bobby Gerhart and Kirk Shelmerdine run their guts out with a three-man team, a beat up engine and a Winston West car but still miss the big race.  Now, only Shelmerdine is around and he's hanging by a thread.  It's now nearly impossible for a two-car team to win a race per year let alone a unsponsored, 40something driver/owner.

I am hear to introduce you to one of the average Joe-type NASCAR drivers.  The guy who runs a team of volunteers (or low-salary workers) with cars barely old enough to continue racing.   With engines ready to explode in a heartbeat.  The driver who has more experience than "young guns" such as Reed Sorenson and JJ Yeley.  The guy who you want to see succeed but won't bother searching for help.  Here's to the other world of NASCAR!!!

Carl Long-Victory Motorsports & Keith Coleman Racing:                                                               Carl Long is no stranger to the NASCAR lower-rank circuit.  In fact he has 48 career All-Pro Series (think Class A in comparision to MLB) and is highly-respected by the likes of Dale Earnhardt Jr and Darrell Waltrip.  Carl Long is most known for his flip at the old Rockingham Motor Speedway in North Carolina in his only car.  There the grit and hard work of the Carl-Long forum raised money for Carl to buy a brand new car and some much needed publicity.  The Carl-Long community is one of the best in NASCAR.  Probably the best sense of humor in the world.  They have traditions such as the "Dancing Nazi" when any thread page reaches "Page 5" and of course telling the world the webmaster Tom Czerwinski is a celebrity.  Carl will attempt to qualify for R&J Racing which was recently acquired by Victory Motorsports.  Guess who's involved with Victory?  Former NFL reciever Terrance Mathis and Detroit Pistons Dale Davis both have a stake in the race team.  Keep your eye out for Carl at Michigan and root for the Underdog of the series!

Carl Long Website:

http://carl-long.com

Comments Appreciated.