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Dega Qualifying Surprises & NASCAR Supports Anti War Jesse Jackson
By-Don Hamm
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I can't help but wonder if the fans are sending a message. One of
the top headline on NASCAR.com is Tickets Still Available For Talladega
as this is being written on Friday. Why would that be? Could
it be that many no longer consider events there as racing? Are they
fed up with the cooler rules? Is it the ever escalating ticket prices?
Is it the high cost of concessions? The racing world wonders.
Busch cars took to the track for qualifying Thursday. It's no surprise
that Front Row Joe took the pole. What I found somewhat a surprise
was outside pole was captured by Kasey Kahne. Kasey has been gaining
notice of late but I doubt many thought he'd rise to the top at Talladega.
I was surprised that ARCA regular, Bobby Gerhart, failed to qualify
for the race. ARCA standout, Chase Montgomery, qualified twenty seventh, one
spot ahead of BuschWhacker Michael Waltrip. I find it quite a surprise
that Mikey isn't closer to the front. Not a surprise is Junior's third
place run. I'm not sure of the why, but Tina Gordon starts thirty eighth
in provisional land. Kevin Ray and Gus Wasson also failed to make the
field. I was surprised to see only four BuschWhackers in the race and
Todd Bodine is still unsponsored. Todd is outstanding in the Busch Series
and it makes no sense that no one has stepped up to the plate to sponsor such
a strong car. Stanton Barrett hit a rabbit during practice. Let's
hope PETA doesn't hunt him down.
For unknown reasons, CUP qualifying was tape delayed to 8 PM on FX, opposite
TrackSide, while Busch happy hour was shown at 3 PM. So much for concern
for the fans. Fortunately I listened to CUP qualifying on MRN through
TRACKPASS and can post this before my deadline. Qualifying finally
got underway a little after 4 PM with a few delays caused by light rain showers.
Jeremy Mayfield surprised many by taking the pole. David Green
shocked many with his stout sixth place run. The real shocker was Steve
Park being the fastest DEI car in thirteenth. Kevin Harvick ran to
second starting spot and Elliott Sadler was a strong third. Jeff Gordon
was fourth with Elliott fifth. Junior, strongest in practice was one
spot behind Park in fourteenth. Robby Gordon was unexpectedly strong
in seventh. Jimmie Johnson, Ryan Newman and Mark Martin rounded out
the top ten. Martin was surprised at his run as the Roush cars seemed
down on speed. Kurt Busch was the second fastest Roush car in twenty
seventh.
Ricky Rudd was the first provisional followed by Jeff Burton. Dave
Blaney, whom I had picked as a possible surprise winner, also took a provisional
along with John Andretti, Ken Schrader, Mike Skinner and Tony Raines. Larry
"What Am I Doing Here" Foyt failed to make the race and was the slowest car
to take time. Brett Bodine and Mike Wallace also had to load up and
go home. Once again, I'll jump on my soap box and stump for a rule
change that the cars qualify in race trim. Every driver I heard interviewed
said it doesn't really matter where they start at restrictor plate tracks.
If that's so, why waste all that money on all that specialized qualifying
stuff for three laps on the track.
On a note not directly race related I received a press release from National
Legal and Policy Center detailing the support of Jesse Jackson, a racist,
anti war, corrupt opportunist. That's exactly what we need in these
troubled times. Jackson is notorious for demanding pay offs (bribes)
from corporate entities for not having the proper ratio of black versus white
employees. As of now, Bill Lester, is the only driver in any major
form of NA$CAR I don't know the inside story of why Jesse dipped
his fingers in the NA$CAR pie except for the information contained in the
press release. The whole thing is too long to post here but here is
the opening statements:
NASCAR ASKED TO END JESSE JACKSON SUPPORT; NASCAR SUPPORTS TROOPS BUT
BANKROLLS ANTI-WAR JACKSON
Washington, D.C. - April 3, 2003. Peter Flaherty, President of the
National Legal and Policy Center (NLPC), today sent the following letter
to William C. France, CEO of NASCAR:
Because American troops are currently engaged in combat in Iraq, we
ask that NASCAR cease and desist from further support for Jesse Jackson
and/or his nonprofit organizations.
You have stated that NASCAR fans are "the kind of people who
go to war and win wars for America." Branches of the Armed Services and
the National Guard maintain important NASCAR sponsorships. Race teams have
demonstrated their support for the troops in a variety of ways.
NASCAR's support for our troops is undercut by your support for Jackson,
which includes substantial monetary contributions, at a time when Jackson
is leading anti-war protests, even in foreign countries. Disturbingly, Jackson
has employed extreme and provocative anti-American rhetoric.
NASCAR was a "Platinum" sponsor of the 2002 Rainbow/PUSH and
Citizenship Education Fund Annual Conference, reportedly paying $100,000
for the distinction. NASCAR's relationship with Jackson is detailed in
a new report I authored and published by the Capital Research Center. See
Organization Trends, April 2003. (www.capitalresearch.org/news/news.asp?ID=111)
Toyota has ended support for Jackson's groups in apparent response to
my request that it do so, after a wave of negative media coverage last year.
(Perhaps Toyota is more American than NASCAR)
While, in theory, the books of I$C are open, the
books of NA$CAR are not. It appears that birds of a feather flock
together since Jesse, whom I refuse to call reverend, is notorious for hiding
his illicit non profit funding, filing false tax returns, fathering illegitimate
children, supporting his illicit child and ex lover with non profit funds
and on and on. Jackson is a con artist and a totally false claimant
to being a Black leader. This man is, plain and simple, a crook, a
Black Mafioso. He has no redeeming qualities and his dipping into our
beloved sport is one sickening development. I can say with almost
certainty, ISC shareholders would never stand still for diverting their interests
to support this bottom feeding, scum sucker in his illicit and hypocritical
endeavors. As race fans, every dollar you spend on anything NA$CAR gives
them a cut of your hard earned dollars. Those are your dollars,
my friends, that are going to this criminal and I just thought you should
know. Some have written me to say racing and politics don't mix. What
say you now?
NASCAR's Jim Hunter defended their funding of Jackson
with the following:
"All NASCAR fans know our position on the war. We support the president.
We support the coalition troops. We support what America is trying to do,"
Hunter told the website ThatsRacing.com.
"As far as anything else, we also support the freedoms we enjoy in this
country to have varying opinions," Hunter added.
Until next time, please be safe and look out for
those little ones. As always, the preceding is my opinion. You
have the right to disagree but not the right to become disagreeable. Any
and all comments are welcomed so long as you keep it clean and reasoned.
With our troops dying in Iraq and Afghanistan let's pray for a prompt
end of hostilities and the return home safely. The events of 911 are the
reason we are there. We must never forget that tragic day and the
loss of 3,023 innocents simply trying to go about their daily business. May
a Loving God Bless You and Yours, Our Great Nation and It's Fine Leadership.
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