In the Groove
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
by Stacy Ervin - Now that I have gotten older, and I¹d like to think wiser, I sometimes have trouble adjusting to the fact that I still don¹t know everything.
But I did learn a valuable lesson this past weekend: It stinks to miss a week of racing at the Knoxville Raceway.
Well, OK, so I had learned that one previously. But I got a good dose of reminding this past weekend.
To make a long and stupid story short, I just plain misjudged the weather forecast for Saturday. Feeling quite confident that we would have another rainout, and mixing that with not feeling so good physically or mentally, I sat last week¹s races out.
The other thing I was reminded of, though I know this lesson just as well too, was that it stinks living half a state away from Knoxville. Yes, it was one of those Saturdays that I contemplate how much easier life would be if only I lived in the town I feel is my second home. That way I could roll out of bed at 4 o¹clock and hit the track.
Having to make a decision on whether to make the trip is harder between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., particularly when you hear that it is pouring down rain at the track at the time.
So instead of sitting in my chair in the raceway¹s pressbox and doing my job of helping Track Historian Bob Wilson to update the live-results page on the track Website, I sat at home, feeling stupid at my computer desk, listening to the live broadcast via the American Dirt Network and following along to see if Bob could actually keep up with the two classes of cars himself.
Though I was quite irritated with my predicament, I had to think about how great it is that technology has brought racing closer to the fans in this way. My buddies, Hot Rod and Bill W, do a wonderful job of calling the races. I almost felt like I was there in person. And, of course, the live-results page is near and dear to my heart since it is partly "my baby" at the track.
Although I'm a strong advocate of actually attending races in person, these two venues are a great way to keep up on things when that's not possible. But, I should point out, they are no substitute for seeing sprint cars go screaming around the turns, throwing dirt rooster tails and exchanging slide jobs. There¹s just nothing in the world like that smell of methanol and that inexplicable feeling that comes from the pit of the stomach when hot laps rumble out onto the track every night.
Of course, those of us who have lived our lives engrossed in racing know there always comes danger and disappointment. Unfortunately, our little world experienced a double hit last weekend with the accident at Knoxville which claimed the life of Courtney "Roger" Schuur and the accident at Elma, Washington, which claimed the life of Fred Brownfield. Even after 30 years of loving this sport, I still take these things to heart, even when I don't even know those involved.
The thing I've always loved about racing people is that no matter what cruel hand is dealt, we always seem to keep coming back. And that's the real lesson I learned by sitting at home. Though with the shock of those tragedies I really didn't feel like being at the track that night, deep down I knew going back would be the best form of therapy.
So when this weekend¹s two-night World of Outlaws show rolls around, you can bet I will be right where I belong: In my chair, in the pressbox high atop the speedway. Bob did a stellar job on his own, but he definitely needs my help.
If you can't make it to the races, log on to the Knoxville Raceway Website, hit "Results" and follow along with me and Bob and our witty banter. And tune in to American Dirt Network to get the audio play-by-play from Hot Rod and Bill W. It's obvious that we all love racing and we¹ll do what we can to pass that love along to you, and impart our vast knowledge of the sport when we can.
As for my own life lessons, if anyone can tell me how to read weather's mind, I'd appreciate having that knowledge in my lifetime.
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