"Winner's Apology"
submitted by Kriss Hollis
M.L. Morgan (referee)
Well, race fans, we have decided to turn our Sound Off! page over to you. This will be your forum and we encourage you to submit your opinions to us. Don't be bashful.
Kriss has sent us some fine letters before and we hope you'll enjoy her comments this time just as much. Please feel free to join in.
I, like many others watched the race today and Rusty Wallace's dominating
performance. But, unlike many others I am not going to complain about
Rusty's win, I was glad to see his team get this boost they so badly
need. I watched with tears in my eyes, the "Polish" victory lap Rusty
did in honor of Alan Kulwicki. And thought, 'Good for you, Rusty!' For
those new to Nascar, the Polish victory lap was started by the late Alan
Kulwicki. And, of course Nascar in their infinite wisdom of nitpicking,
asked him to stop . Alan said he wouldn't do it again til he won the
championship, and he waited years, but got his Polish victory lap in.
Uh, that's a lap ran backwards around the track after the win. Alan
Kulwicki died 6 years ago on his way to Bristol for a race and drivers
have since after winning at Bristol {and other tracks} ran this kind of
lap in honor of his memory. I think its great that so he is remembered
and honored this way. What I don't think is great is the fact that the
winner of the race felt he should apologize to someone for doing it. I
couldn't believe my ears when I heard Rusty say he was sorry for the
lap, but had to do it. Something is wrong when the winner of a race
has to apologize to Nascar for honoring a friend and fellow racer who
has since passed on. Makes me wonder if Nascar is getting so big they
can't remember who built the sport. How long is it going to be before
they forget the Allisons? the Earnhardts? the Pettys? or how about
Curtis Turner, Fireball Roberts, Bud Moore, Buck Baker, and Ned Jarrett?
As long as there are Pettys, Jarretts and Earnhardts racing they won't
be forgotten, but what about when they are gone? Will Nascar forget? And
if they do, will the fans also forget? I think Rusty's heart was in the
right place when he made that donut and ran that Polish Victory lap in
honor of his friend and fellow racer. And no one should have to
apologize for that... not to anyone, even Nascar.
E-mail Kriss
AOL IM "Kriss6fan"
ICQ# 23031466
OK Guys~~~ You GOTTA check this site out!!
http://www.fansforlife.com
Have comments or questions? E-mail: M.L. Morgan
Back to "Race Views" Front Page
