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CUP: It’s A Day Of Racing Thanks!
Written by: Rick Minter
RacinToday.com   http://www.RacinToday.com
11/26/2009
Charlotte, NC
 
It’s Thanksgiving Day 2009 and time to think about all the racing things to be thankful for as the turkey is served and the family gathers around the table.
I’m thankful for a Chase driver like Denny Hamlin, who found the time to grant me several honest-to-goodness, one-on-one interviews this year.- Rick Minter. (Photo: LAT Photographic) » More Photos

I’m thankful that the almost completed racing season was a relatively safe one, and a special thanks for all those who have worked in the past and in the present to develop things like SAFER barriers, safer cars for NASCAR and NHRA drivers, as well as better catch fences to protect fans.

I’m thankful for a Chase driver like Denny Hamlin, who found the time to grant me several honest-to-goodness, one-on-one interviews this year, and for a publicist like Jon Mason, who said he would make it happen and made good on his promise.

I’m thankful that Kyle Busch only destroyed one treasured trophy, even though he did give my RacinToday buddy Larry Woody plenty of column fodder.

I’m grateful for the manufacturer reps who follow the Sprint Cup circuit and provide accurate driver quotes in a timely fashion, something that’s invaluable to those of us who can’t be at the track every week and something we media types don’t say “Thank you” for as often as we
should.

I’m especially thankful for Terri Parsons and Larry Camp and the rest of the folks who are working to bring North Wilkesboro Speedway back to life. And for Sterling Marlin and Darrell Waltrip and others who are making a last-ditch effort to save the old Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville from the wrecking ball. And for Andy Hillenburg, who continues to do great things with my favorite superspeedway in Rockingham.

I owe a special thanks for the media friends like Monte Dutton, friends who didn’t abandon those of us who saw our regular jobs disappear as the newspaper industry did its incredible shrinking act.

I’m thankful for the parking passes and credentials that arrive by mail as they should, and for the people at the tracks who make that happen.

I’m thankful for the friendly gate attendants at the speedways, people who sit in the sun – and sometimes rain – all day, but still find ways to be cheerful.

I’m thankful that the first scheduled night race on Labor Day weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway was a huge success and a reward for the really nice people that run that track.


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