Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Who are you following?

Okay, as far as I know this is a true story. Even if it is not, it still gets a good point across.

A NASCAR Champion from a few years back was racing one day at a local dirt track. Now for those of you who know about dirt track racing, you know how important it is that there is a level of moisture in the track to help with many things including dust. Well this specific day the local dirt track had not done a good job of keeping the track moist. As a result when the cars were on the track it was just a matter of time until the dust was so thick none of the drivers could hardly see where they were going.

Even under these conditions, as is often the case, the race must go on! Well, our veteran NASCAR Champion new just what to do. On his first practice he quickly began to find markers around the track that would be above the dust level that he could keep his eye on that would let him know when he was close to a turn. In turn one he could see the concession stand. In turn two it was the corner of the grand stands. In turn three it was a car sitting on the hill and in turn four it was a light post. throughout practice he worked on hitting these marks and getting a feel for exactly how fast he could go into a corner before seeing his mark and needing to hit the brakes. All was going very well as the dust began to thicken.

After qualifying heats it was time for the main event. The checkered flag dropped and the pack of cars were off! No more than a couple of laps the dust began to rise and our Champion Driver began looking at his marks. Turn one, there was the concession stand, brake... Turn two there was the grand stand, accelerate. Turn three... blam! bang! screech!!!! Something had gone terribly wrong! When the dust settled our Champion driver found himself over the banking of the track and sitting in the parking lot! You see at some point before the main event the person that was driving the car he was using as a marker in turn three had left the track! With no marker to cue him to brake our champion literally accelerated through the corner, over the banking and out into the parking lot!

Now you may think that this is pretty crazy, and it is... but not the end of the story! You see when the dust settled out in the parking lot there were two other race cars sitting right behind him! our Champion driver got out of his car and walked over to the other drivers and said "i know why i am out here in the parking lot but why are you?" They both shook their heads and simply said, "you are the Champion. You seemed to know what you were doing so we had decided we would just follow you wherever you went!"

The point of this story is quit obvious. The question is... who are you following?

1 Comments:

At February 7, 2008 2:34 AM , Anonymous Iceman said...

Billy, excellent way to express this message. I hope you don't mind but I would like to read this to my church this Sunday.

Haven't had the opportunity to meet you yet, met a lot of the others @ MRO with Bill Carpenter at Richmond and the Louden races. I drove the truck to Richmond for him.

Again thanks for the great messages, I enjoy reading your blog and check back frequently!

Thanks and God Bless,
John Birmingham

 

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