Coming to the checkered flag out of Turn 4 last Friday night July the 4th in Daytona, Mike Wallace was in position to record another Top 10 finish for the GEICO Racing team when his nephew Steven Wallace (say it ain't so Joe) decided fireworks were in order. The younger Wallace moved up the race track and sent his uncle into a 200-mph spin across the infield grass that culminated with the #7 GEICO Camry hitting the inside retaining wall hard. Mike Wallace and the GEICO Camry rested just a hundred yards or so from the finish line, with a destroyed race car and a 22nd place finish. Despite the misfortune on the last lap, Mike Wallace and the Gecko still sit in the 8th position in the point standings.
The TV broadcasters sure tried to downplay this, didn't they. at first they didn't even want to say that it was Steven that did it. He is a menace. The other drivers should go to NASCAR and demand that he be examined by medical professionals (shrinks) before being allowed anywhere near a race track. If he is taking meds for his Tourettes, it doesn't seem to be working.
I wasn't thinking of you examining Steven. I thought maybe you could enlighten us on Tourettes and how it might affect his descion making and driving ability. And if, in your professional opinion, any meds that would alleviate Tourettes enough to drive 190 mph, might also affect his judgement, or the motor skills required of a NASCAR driver.
Even though I don't like the kid, I do have some empathy for him. You can tell that he's trying to please his father by being something he's not.
Your out of line and I'm calling you on it. People with mental disabilities are not second class citizens.
First of all, many race car drivers have mental disabilities. It's their ability to not see consequences of their actions that allows them to risk their lives racing.
Second, people with Tourette's and other disabilities, may not be as smooth as other people. But they are no greater risk than a driver that may be adjusting something in his race car while driving. In other words they just kind of have a permanent distraction going on that they have to work through.
Third, bad side affects of meds has been greatly exaggerated. There are many meds available today. They don't leave you drowsy. If they did, they wouldn't be much of a med.
And how dare you to assume to know Steven's motivation. If he didn't want to race, he wouldn't be as far along as he is. Sure he seems to be involved in his share of incidents. But there are some other pretty good drivers that have been known to do that too.
14...Try reading my second comment to klv, asking about Tourettes.
Where do I insinuate that he is a 2nd class citizen?
A permanent distraction? You want that guy beside you at 190mph, risking YOUR life?
I didn't see the M.D. after Falcons so excuse me if I wait for a professional to tell me about meds. Again see my second comment directed at klv.
How dare I? How dare you? It's a blog for goodness sakes. Just go back to linking to 3 or 4 stories a day that I've already judged to be too boring to read the first time I saw them, elsewhere, hours earlier. Then I won't waste my time commenting.
Yes it's a blog. And it was not meant to slam Stephen and result in degrading comments about persons with disabilities. Your comments show great insensitivity towards a protected class of people and I find them disturbing. I will leave them posted and allow readers to be the judges.
Klvalus isn't going to go there with you because you are way out of line and as a professional she isn't going to touch you with a ten foot pole.
I tried to explain this to you in a way you could understand. My point is, a mentally disabled driver is no greater risk, than someone who reaches for their radio, or drinks coffee or talks to their kids in the back seat. Ever do any of that? Sure you have. Yes, disabilities affect performance, but they do not automatically mean the driver is outside the norm of typical driver behavior.
You don't have to say someone is a second class citizen. Your behavior says it. Perhaps you treat women and minorities the same way.
I have ADHD as well as my son. I am pretty familiar with the subject matter regarding mental disabilities and medications for them. I have been through therapy and been with my son and been with my family. We have worked with about four mental health professionals on these matters and have discussed these issues with many friends who also deal with disabilities. Three of the four members of my family is on medication of some type. None of us are any more of a threat to you on the highway at 90 then we would be at 190 on the speedway if you would like to race against us.
I need to know what I said that degraded a disability? I was simply asking for info on those disabilities. I don't know. That's why I asked. So by having the audacity to ask about a disability, I think they're 2nd class citizens? This is where I say, How dare you?
I understand what you think is an explanation. The thing is the other driver isn't reaching for the radio the whole time. You stated that Tourette's is a PERMANENT distraction. Big difference.
You stated that if a med left you drowsy it wouldn't be much of a med. I'm no Dr, but I've seen plenty of meds that say right on the bottle, "may cause drowsiness.'
Everything I was asking were legit concerns to me. Not trying to be a smartass, and demean disabled people. You don't know me. You way overreacted to innocent questions because you have close emotional involvement with the subject matter.
I'm humorous enough. I don't pick on the disabled. That's not funny at all. I am insulted that you think I would do that.
I don't think Steve Wallace physical or mental limitations has any thing to do with his driving style. It is his lack of talent in my view. I do feel this was the drift on this blog.
Had his medical issues been a concern, NASCAR would not have let him drive any race car.
For us that are fortunate not to have medical issues,a little sensitivity afforded to ones that do would be appreciated.
It is an admiration by me to know many people on the NASCAR blogs that have issues and are coping, do so well in their lives once they have addressed those issues. I can understand the sensitivity about medical issues. I hope we all can.
"The other drivers should go to NASCAR and demand that he be examined by medical professionals (shrinks) before being allowed anywhere near a race track. If he is taking meds for his Tourettes, it doesn't seem to be working."
If you can't see this is inflamatory, perhaps you have ADHD.
You seem afraid of people with disabilities. If a person is equal to a distracted driver all of the time, then certainly there is an increase in risk. But in my opinion, as a Traffic Engineer, (PE) many, if not most, drivers are already driving while otherwise occupied. So the disabled person is no worse than the driver on the cell phone in the lane next to you. Of course, you would never talk on a cell phone and drive, would you?
A med that needed to be taken that would increase drowsiness wouldn't be a med that would be prescribed for someone to take every day. We are not drugged out zombies dude.
You may not mean to be a smartass, but you often come off that way. Again, you may have ADHD yourself. I am not joking. It's very possible.
I may overreact. It's a symptom. But here's what I ask. Show persons with disabilities the same respect you would show women and minorities. If you think it might be taken wrong, keep it to yourself.
I read your first comment twice. It surprised me at first. Then I read it in the way you intended and knew you were simply keeping it based on his driving skills, which to date, do invite criticism.
Rusty soon has gor to get sick of dumping money into Stevens rides. I hope this is an eye opener for Rusty. I would be getting a little tired of wrecked cars. I agree if a physical limit was there Nascar would not allow him to drive. No this is just in expierence and it costs other drivers alot.
"But all this must be suffered by those who profess the stern order of chivalry" Most Interesting Blog, June 16, 2008 and six other occasions. Lisa awarded him Best "breaking news" blogger March 31, 2008. Blog of The Day, Christmas Day, 2007. edhardiman wrote, "Falco's tribute to Rocket Richard reminds us all the stars of today stand on the shoulders of giants..." October 23, 2007. Three Golden Swirrly p00p Awards (Hockey, NASCAR and Use of Graphics), FlyingPig, July 18, 2007. 2007 Memorial Day Weekend Trifecta sponsored by williamwilman . Featured on WFORacingFans April, 2007. "Stylin'" award, Dusty, February 07. "One of ten new bloggers to watch" Dudski, January 2007.
