I have posted a comment left at Fox Sports Blog which caught my eye and inspired a rebuttal from yours truly. You may see it differently. That's why we are who we are. The following comment concerning NASCAR'S response to the death of Mr. Bill France Jr. posted June 5th, 2007 on theFox Sports Blog of Ms. Lee Spence:
Flag etiquette I realize that Bill France Jr. was a god send for Nascar and the sport would not be where it is today if not for him, but the lowering of the flag to half mast in his honor was out of place. I hope this was an oversight and not Nascar doing it just because of Nascar arogance. I dont believe his passing will ever be looked at as a national holiday. Look up flag etiquette on the Internet and this is what you will get.
The flag may be flown at half-staff by Presidential proclamation or by proclamation by your state governor.
On Memorial Day the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon.
Your flag can be flown at half-staff upon reliable information that a past or present President or Vice-President has died (see Section 7m below).
By statute, the President is requested each year to issue a proclamation requiring government buildings to half-staff the flag and inviting all the people of the US to do so as well, on the following days:
May 15, Peace Officers Memorial Day Sept. 11, Patriot Day Dec. 7, National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Section 7m of the Flag Code (see below) reads:
The flag, when flown at half-staff, should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day. On Memorial Day the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff. By order of the President, the flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the United States Governm
Last edited by jeff71159 on June 5th at 7:40 AM.
My Comment to jeff71159:
Jeff71159...Well done sir. The fault in your comment is that most any institution may place the flag at half mast to honor a particular major, influential contribitor to that institution or appreciated persons of any stature. I am a Viet Nam vet and thought nothing in error when I first viewed a photo at Dover Downs International Speedway with the flag at half mast. I knew and know little of Mr. France but am finding he was, indeed, a giant behind the sport of NASCAR. Watching the race Monday I could tell this man must have done for NASCAR something to the extent of what all the great men and women throughout our history had done and that is affect a nation. There is "formality" sir and then there is "fanatisism". I loathe to mention the catastrophic events recently where the flag was lowered to half staff without the President of the United States approval and the many local institutions throughout this country who have lowered the flag to half staff in honor of a pillar, founder, or appreciated person or persons who have passed either in an untimely manner or of natural causes. There's "the book", sir, then there's the American Way.
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MY BEEF; I e-mailed the Fed-Ex NASCAR thing and asked why more wasn't being said about Biffle causing that crash of Reutimann.
It appeared to me that it was clearly an intentional bump to Reutimann's left bumper in the low zone just as you come around the turn where you would rise up a bit to level out and ***BUMP**** #21's tires leave the track slightly in the draft and floats on up smashing into the wall and all the way acrooss the track again onto the grass. Reutimann not a big enough name to react to this? A driver at Reutimann's level can be put in this kind of danger without a second look because ..Hey It's Greg Biffle. He's famous.
I expect to hear more on this. I'll know more when I hear back from Fed-Ex/NASCAR if it doesn't hit the news first after the celebrations are over.
After last week's Daytona I have to say it was a letdown this week for me. When the race ended I was kind of thinking..No it..it can't be. But it was.
At the start I had high hopes. A whole different race. My first thought was this is going to be great. A "Wide Open Range" race. I expected great shots of side by side duels down those stretches which never materialised.
The accident Biffle caused though pissed me off and I do hope to hear something more as to this overlook by the announcer's. Which, of course, I am alert to the fact the announcer's don't want to START a controversy, as say certain football commentater's do, they'll say what they have to say after NASCAR acts., if they act and if a complaint is filed.
OH..And when everyone who doesn't have surround sound was being treated to surround sound of the Vrrooom of the engines on the track did anyone notice a shot of 2 cars (only the 2 in the shot) on the turn, rear 3/4 view, of (I forget who dammit) nosing his car into the other car? The vicitm's car was low and the culprit was up. Well I did. It was not a hit from the rear...Almost side by side and just after he touched the guy, sparks went flying from the victim's wheel well. I saw it and the announcer's were probably eating and not watching coz not one word was mentioned.
Nuff said.
EXCEPT...For another pic of how U.S.O.F. ends his race after crossing the line! OH Yeeahh...
The good people that know me are more than aware of my recent appreciation for NASCAR racing. The 17th of February Daytona 500 , which I was bewitched into watching by a bewitching journalist who writes for the Fox Community Blog, was a revelation, epiphany, a downright joyous occasion that took me to heights where I could see everything. A wonder to behold. A very fortunate man am I.
I write this now, prior to the race at Fontana Raceway in California sponsered by "Q", to let the good people know why I was one of those "non-believer's".
Let me say I was not, repeat not one of the "all they do is go around in circles turning left for eight hours" "non-bliever's". I was a person who was "old school", I guess you could say. My response to a NASCAR enthusiast was like this; "They don't drive real cars anymore. They build engines that would turn a small plane into a jet, put a piece of plastic over it shaped to resemble a car and call it a motor race. I can't get into it because it's not really car racing. I mean look at the fuel?...Ya can't see it and when it's flaming you can't see it. I saw a pit crew guy get doused and he caught fire and was in terrible pain, other crew members were rescuing him but all the time you could not see any flames. Freaked me the hell out and I said hell, they're racing mini-jet planes disguised as cars. It's not racing." That was my view and why I didn't accept NASCAR racing.
Here are some good examples of what I mean by "old school";
First, there is the car I own presently. I actually gave a guy a 2003 Ford Focus for this car;
A 1991 Pontiac Sunbird
Style, Speed, and Character out the tail pipe!
Here's a 1967-68 Ford Mustang
Notice the style, the trim, the character.
Now on to a 1969 Dodge Charger
Same attribute's. Different Look.
Here are 2 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona Racer's
I know, the black & white photo of the Dodge makes you laugh huh? Well, too me that's a CAR. An automobile. All the other's are sleek, aerodynamic, asphalt speed machine's.
Why here comes a 1969 Ford Mustang...Look at that baby;
Then, in 1999 all cars began to look like this;
Now That's a '99 Mustang. I had one that looked just like it. A 2001 Mustang. I began seeing other cars made by different companies that even looked like it. Oh sure...They put the Mustang, itself, back in the grill but, hey, It don't work for "The Kid". These days all cars are rounded of at the corner's box-type. No matter the model you will see your car go by you but it will be a different company and "your" car, you will notice, has a slight difference that the maker's know will make you feel better. Kind of like two people showing up at a special occasion dressed in the same suit or dress only they're made by different tailors.
As all of you know, and those of you just getting here, I'm OVER that. I've seen the glare. I've seen the lights and I've seen the best race ever run anywhere, anytime !
OK...I am really excited as Sunday grows ever near and I am discovering I was getting everything , almost everything, correct. Even "the greatest finish in Daytona history". Just missed the "blockage" thing. And we all know how painful that can be. So, yes, I made a slight change after review in one of my remarks and replies saying that INDEED Martin had the lead for an instant as he and Harvick broke from the pack.
Anyway...This is the car I will be running with Sunday;
Photo Credit - BDyckns
I need new wheels though. I know it's probably going to be hot out there. Well heck I gaurentee it's going to be in the 70s, bright sun and perfect conditions! A guy named ZEEBOO or something close to that turned me on to these wheels. I think they are dandies !
A ZEEBO Photo Credit
My steering should be stable. Here's an inside peek of the steering device I will be using.
So all in all, with good ole southern comfort in my bones, I should have a fine Race Day!
Good racing to all of you who stop by and even you who do not. And, HEY, Let's Be Careful Out There
Thanks to the evervescent southerncindi and her spirit and way of communicating, my life this past Sunday was made a hell-of-a-lot brighter. (Thank you Southern Girl)
I have come across NASCAR races while making my way to a ball game or something, trying to find an entertaining show to save the day. Never, ever, though lingering more than 60 seconds on a NASCAR race.
Sunday I had the race on from the git go to the absolutley finest, best ever in NASCAR history ( I have declared this) finishes! I was elated! I felt great! I wanted to hug Southern Girl and spin her around in the air!
One truly has to first be inspired to give it a true effort and watch the race or have it on. I admit I wasn't always watching (playing the devils game poker online) but whoever the announcer's were made the race educational, interesting and exciting. As the laps went on and the many, many variations of ups and downs took place I was becoming aware of how my soul was becoming embedded in the race. How I was understanding all the implications involved. The technology, I believe, certainly enhanced the speed at which I became engulfed in the race. Seeing the pavement was NOT smooth as silk but had cracks, openings like a road , was revealed to me. Being able to watch the drivers at the wheel, their hands, shoulders, bodies shaking was amazing and added significantly to my appreciation. I first wondered why all the shaking. Vibration yeah..but?...when one of those great caller's of the race then mentiond the track, bumps, etc. Then to see a car with something wrong with it's steerage and the driver with both hands on the left of the wheel to keep it stable then spinning the wheel to the right and back to the left all while crawling along at 190 miles per hour was just jaw dropping.
The pit stop routine was just absolutely amazing to watch. Also learning the drivers had no peripheral vision and seeing some dam close near hits as a car pulled in and a car pulled out. One thing I was aware of was the "pit crew" speed and determination to get wheels off, gas in, wheels on and "want fries with that?" during a pit stop. That has always been a mind blower. One new thing I noticed though was the rolling of the rear wheel to someone who wasn't there but KNEW it was coming and at the last second turned and lifted that baby outta there. Whew...
Then, of course, the FINISH. I was totally absorbed in the race now. Learning what all the ramification's were if the caution flag was waved. What made it even more exciting was the fact all the cars were under caution with 2 laps to the finish and the sight of them all clustered there, glittering under the lights, clawing along, weaving from side to side...they CAME ALIVE and a fire lit in me as the green went off and the whole pack lurched for the finish! Multiple changes were taking place, the 2 laps became 1 1/2 then 1 then the stretch!
Photo Jamie Squire - Getty Images
The pack reaches the critical point, two of the cars suddenly pulled fom the pack and the finish line was in sight. Right there on the television screen, you could see the finish line, two cars a couple lengths away from the rest of the pack, colors swirling, lights sparkling, engines roaring, announcers bringing it to you straight. The Arrival!
Suddenly all hell breaks loose. Cars are sliding left, right, bouncing of the outside wall, careening off other cars, it was a horrendous, though beautiful sight, because you could see it was controlled chaos. These guys know how to drive. Cars were sliding, spinning off the track into the grass and along with this sight you also see the two cars upfront. Clean, sparkling, glistening, inches apart, side by side, one a nose ahead of the other and enough track left for one car to overtake the other. Speeding against the wind to the Finsh Line! ... And that was it folks. Sorry if you didn't get the electricity but I was amped and loaded with 14, 000 volts and still crackling and popping sparks to this day.
Photo Credit Jamie Squire -Getty Images
BUT...no it's not over...one of the drivers on my fantasy racing team appears just after the 2 front runners cross the line.
He's Clint Bowyer in the #07 car and he's crossing the finish line...Upside-down, On his Roof, sliding, sparks flying, and On Fire! Just turning slightly from side to side, carreening along the blacktop his car is a ball of fireworks streaking across the track, ultimately crossing the white striped, black-checked lines painted on the track denoting the Finsih Line!
I fell completely out of myself and that was the point when Southern Girl was lucky she wasn't here.
After Harvick's celebration I suddenly became contemplative. Soaking it all in. Thinking.."Yeah...They were all tired as hell. Pushing it to the limit at the end there. That's why the chaos ensued." I don't think alot of folks take into account the fatigue, the adreneline, the competiviness, the tired bones, body and weakend hands and arms that I know must be weighing on these drivers at the end. I felt good. I just felt really good. I try to tell everyone about it.
I've learned this too.; The NASCAR "blues"...I ask, with excitement in my voice; "See that finish at Daytona, man?" Answer ; "Nah...I don't watch that ####."
Like a dog with a bone - or an over/under or even a staff of good, hard wood
I am a FOX Sports Blogger who NEEDS to VENT. You may also enjoy my tuneful stylings at www.myspace.c om/billdyckns Don't try to give me all that money I know you're going to want to donate or any personal information. . .OR, be the 1st to buy one of my songs. The FIRST.
On top of all that...well.. .there isn't much more on top of that since i'm on the glidepath down. But, as I say in my best song, "Time keeps tellin' me to fold. You know that always makes me crack a smile. Mr Time he believe I growin' old." (copyright 2005 All Rights Reserved) (means don't try rippin' that line off)
OK, On 51 Hut BREAK!
