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February 9, 2004 #
 Matt Kenseth, 2003 NASCAR champion was given a proclamation from the office of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, marking Friday, December 5 as "NASCAR Winston Cup Series Day in New York." Presenting Kenseth with the proclamation was Kenneth Podziba, Commissioner of the New York City Sports Commission. Nineteen people gave a shit. Countdown to the Great American Race, Daytona 500: 6 days. The biggest race of the NASCAR season is also its first on the schedule. This week The Other Page explores the country's growing obsession with stock car racing, Dale Earnhardt Jr's appearances in television commercials, and big ol' smelly rednecks who bathe in tubs of Busch Light. NASCAR is one of the biggest success stories in all of sports and while New Yorkers don't have to take notice right now, it won't be too long before it breaks into the market here and midtown gets a racing car theme restaurant. (Is one already there? I haven't been in those woods for quite some time.) They already hold their annual awards ceremony in NYC, which must be a big hoot for these dudes to race rentals around the FDR and West Side Highway. Exec VP John Saunders of International Speedway Corporation, which is at least part owner of 12 of the 23 facilities that host Nextel (previously Winston) Cup races, said ISC has a special team of executives that continues to explore the feasibility of constructing a track in the New York market, either in NY or NJ. (There must be some room in Queens right? Or how about just re-pave Williamsburg and end everyone's misery?) When this day comes prepare yourself for some honest-to-hotrod irony-free trucker hats. And then maybe taxis will take the long overdue step of slapping their ID numbers on the side panels like race cars. For those who think it's all about left turns haven't contemplated the strategy involved with making two-tire pit stops under caution, chassis adjustments when the car's rear is feeling more "loose" than Tara Reid's, fuel considerations, and a rival driver who's crotch-itching for a little spin-out revenge with thirty laps to go. If you can't appreciate that, just drink enough beer and the mystery unravels like solving your first calculus problem. Perhaps you need an intro course though. Okay, the following is required reading before class tomorrow: The New Yorker on NASCAR, 08/18/2003 Jimmie Johnson as NYC Taxi Driver NASCAR in NJ? Mall-town boy shits the big city Archives "The Other Page" powered by Removable Hype. RSS. Copyright © 2003 La Otra Página, Inc. All nights observed. Feel free to email "info(at)krucoff.com" for questions, comments, stock tips, and family gossip. |
