| What is Drama? |
|
I see the same damn commercials over and over on TNT during the race. What is Drama? They have drivers telling us what drama is, they have actors and directors telling us what drama is. First off, I don't care what drama is, I care about watching the race. However, since we are on the subject, (and there isn't a race going on right now), let ME tell you what I feel drama is.
Drama is seeing the grandstands rise out of the horizon as you drive up to the track. It's that first breath of air you take when you get out of your car. Drama is realizing that the first group of people you see at the track are all wearing the shirts and hats of your least favorite driver. It is trying to figure out which souvenir trailer to hit first. It is watching the helicopters fly into and out of the infield wondering which driver or owner is on board and if they notice that you are wearing their team colors. Drama is a weekend at the track. Drama is waking up at the campground behind turn 2 and smelling the morning air. Seeing your "neighbors" dressed in yet another set of team colors. Checking your watch to see how much time until the green flag. Drama is hearing the guy 3 camp sites down start screaming "Let's go racing!!!". (That's usually me!). That feeling in your stomach as you walk towards the stands on race day: That is Drama. Drama takes place at home too. You wake up Sunday morning and check the clock. Drama is rushing to get all your errands done before the pre-race show begins. It is checking the starting line-up to verify where your guys are at. Drama is your friends coming over to watch the race and that one guy who always has to wear the shirt of the "enemy". He doesn't even follow Nascar, but he knows you don't cheer for that guy, so he wears the shirt. That is drama. Wanting to throw your beer through the TV every 5 minutes when they cut to commercial, that too is drama. "Gentlemen, start your engines!!" The drama doesn't get any better than that. Whether at the track or at home, the Goosebumps and chills are just as strong. The engines fire and at home the drama builds. At the track you smell the raw fuel burning and it's just about "go time." Drama is watching the parade lap, praying for a safe race, trying to figure out how your guy is going to get to the front from way back there and hoping victory is yours. Drama is the way the pace car waits until the last possible second to pull off, as if last minute they changed their mind and aren't going to go green. They do it every time, yet you still get that lump in your throat and then the pace car pulls off and the relief hits you and "green, green green...." Drama at it's best. Drama is Nascar. Drama is the fans. Drama is just about over for this season. Fortunately for the fans, Speedweeks isn't that far away. For the teams, it might be too close. Drama for me, will be getting that call this winter saying, "Come up to Charlotte for an interview, we just might have a position for you here." Drama can take many shapes and forms and happen at any time. But, those who follow and love this sport know that on any given Sunday(or Friday), at any given track, the drama will be there and it will always be terrific. Thanks to all the drivers and teams for a wonderful season of highs and lows. Thanks to those who soldiered on through terrible times and showed us how to be strong. Thank you for showing the world that the American way of life will continue and prosper under the most adverse of circumstances. And most of all, thanks for the Drama. Thank you and keep reading!! Rob |